So big props to Tony Korologos for doing my heavy lifting on a course preview while I catch up on other articles. With the help of a St. Andrews caddie – the best person to ask! – Tony has a terrific preview of St. Andrews running today through Wednesday. Here are holes 1-6.
We’ll check in with Tony all week. We’ll also keep an eye on a simmering issue: Melvyn Morrow vs. Tiger Woods. Melvyn, the direct descendant of Old Tom Morris has been outspoken about Tiger Woods’s boorish behavior on the golf course in the past, but when the sordid sex scandal erupted, he made good on a threat to make certain with Prestwick G.C. that if Woods wins the tournament, (a long shot, but possible), that Woods is NOT awarded with the replica Moroccan belt that will be given this year to the winner along with the Claret Jug.
As we go to press, our Irish correspondents report 50 mph winds at St. Andrews. Cue King Lear! Brian Keogh writes:
“Winds gusting up to 50 mph made St Andrews almost unplayable as Padraig Harrington continued his preparations for the 150th Open. The Dubliner, 38, hit balls for two hours in gale force winds before going out. But he was eventually forced to walk in after just five holes of his practice round….Tiger Woods played all 18 holes but R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson confessed that the vicious west wind would have forced them to suspend play had the championship started on Sunday.
Dawson said: “The balls were moving right off the 11th green and we would have had to suspend play. Winds were gusting at over 50mph out there. That’s pretty extraordinary.””
