Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville – Mighty Casey has struck out. — Ernest Thayer, “Casey at the Bat” — When Tom Watson had the Claret Jug cruelly dashed...
Over at Waggle Room, Ryan Ballengee has the video of Stewart Cink reading the top ten list on Letterman. Nice catch Ryan. Hope to see you at Hazeltine. In other news, Turnberry Resort has already renamed one of their suites the Cink Suite, an honor they bestow on all Open champions: Watson Suite, Norman Suite, Price Suite, and now, the Cink Suite. I’d love to...
At Turnberry Cold Wind Blows and Hot Water Runs Deep By Jay Flemma and Maggie MacAlpine “Boys can’t do anything right!” she shrieked. No Banshee of Ayrshire ever wailed with greater ferocity. Yes, I’m in the doghouse again with my girl Britt, this time for the unpardonable sin of being mesmerized by the grand theatre of this year’s...
2010 – St. Andrews, (Old Course)
2011 – Royal St. George’s, Sandwich, ENGLAND
2012 – Royal Lytham and St. Annes, Blackpool, ENGLAND
2013 – Muirfield, SCOTLAND
2014 – TBA
2015 – St. Andrews, (Old Course)
Sal Johnson, our great James Joyce of a golf writer, has this excellent preview of the British Open. From the article: # Key stat for the winner: The ability to adjust to the elements, especially wind and rain, is often crucial at the Open Championship. In 1986 when the Open was played at Turnberry, Greg Norman was the best at in some terrible conditions and was able...
For all your European Tour needs, tune in to Brian Keogh and the Irish Golf Desk. Today, Brian has photos and a write up of back-to-back defending British Open champion Padraig Harrington at Turnberry. Also, check out Brian’s great Irish golf travel tips! ***UPDATE*** Keogh says Harrington told him they grew massive, thick, U.S. Open rough!!! From the article...
(Photo of 9 tee at Turnberry Ailsa Course courtesy of Stewart Abramson) With a coastline that has inspired centuries of marriage proposals, ancient ruins historic enough to warrant their own university class, and a sports pedigree equal to nearly every venue on Earth, the stunning Ailsa Course at the Turnberry Resort may be the most romantic and antique place to...
Here’s Karl McGinty’s piece.
As soon as I find Brian Keogh’s and Dermot Gilleece’s, I’ll post them.
In a reversal of roles, I’ll pass the coverage duties to my editors, Sal Johnson of Golf Observer, who in his inimitable James Joyce-ish stream of consciousness, discusses Harrington’s win and the rising star of amateur Chris Wood, andclick here for Jeff Shelley of Cybergolf’s coverage.
Meanwhile Kenny Perry is struggling at Royal Milwaukee.
Here’s a sure bar bet for you. Since 1860, only 14 golf courses have hosted the British Open. Can you name them all? Birkdale St. George’s (Sandwich) Lytham and St. Anne’s TOC (that’s The Old Course at St. Andrew’s for the acronymically challenged) Muirfield Carnoustie Musselburgh Deal Troon Hoylake (Liverpool) Princes...
Rocco Mediate, Robert Allenby, and Graeme McDowell kead at 1-under.
Steve Elling says today it was Royal Birk-gale. That rain sure washed out my pick, Geoff Ogilvy. Oh well, there’s still three days left.
Anthony Kim says he could have shot 100 in his first practice round, but his 2-over 72 has him in contention.
This is nice: one of my favorite writers/broadcasters writing about my Trinity College classmate and all around good guy Jay Williamson. Jay shot a first-round 73 and is tied for 26th. he’s getting a lot of mileage out of that incredible 62 he shot on Saturday at the John Deere. That, coupled with finishing in a tie for second, won him exemption into...
…or should I say Open Championship. The article is here. Things to note – “The old timers are saying this will go down as the greenest British Open ever.” “on Sunday, it’s supposed to be sunny with 15-20 mph winds.” …and this is huge… “Talking about the media here at Royal Birkdale, the numbers are way down...
It’s about time too…2005 and 2006 were downright silly with no wind and sunshine all day and players grabbing birdies by the fistful. Weather channel says rough sailing in Merseyside this week. As King Lear said, “Blow winds! Rage! And crack your cheeks. rage! Blow!”
Hat tip:Â Chewbacca
My latest Golf Channel dot com article discusses where to play if you’re out at Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship. Enjoy…and try Wallasey! One more news item – ***correction*** in my preview piece for The Open, I mispoke. I said at Birkdale Trevino completed a tri-fecta Woods never did – he won the U.S., British, and Canadian Opens in...