The Open - 2013

Rather than drown out 1GG's fantasy thread, maybe somewhere to discuss the goings on this week - updates for people who aren't able to watch the live coverage, talking points, anything else

To start off, I've heard the press conference today from the person who tried to defend Muirfield's policy on women golfers was pretty "Little Britain"

And Rory biting at Faldo's comments on him. Coco needs to just learn to shut up and play the game.

Anything else? FIGJAM's conference was quite sickly apparently (not seen that either yet - hoping to catch some of the details on SSN later.

And a question or talking point of my own ... given the fact it's not likely to need a bomber on this course, is Luke coming in under the radar?

My bookie's benevolent  fund contribution this week is for Rosie and Amazing Grace - in the pub sweeps I've also got Grace and GMac

Can't wait - the sofa is booked for the next 4 days.  

My money would go on Justin Rose, I've given up hope of Luke coming in under the radar - which is probably a good sign for him.  

screw the open! It's silly boys golf on concrete astroturf like land. The US Open is a much purer form of the game.

Saltman propping up the leaderboard at the moment whilst the most interesting man in the world leads the way. Only 12 under par of 69 players under par at the time of writing.

Could be a long and unfruitful wait for Luiten and Lingmerth, the reserves, rumours floating about possible injuries for Oosthuizen, Hanson, and another player. Only time will tell if they get in or not. One interesting thing was that Lingmerth mentioned playing a practice round; I didn't think that was allowed unless you were actually playing.

Disappointing start for Justin at the moment - 2 over after 10. Poults ticking along nicely.

Johnsons leading the way at the moment (Dustbin and Zach)

 Here's hoping Cock-boy misses the cut

I predict a tantrum in the press tent in about 2 hours or so.

LondonJonnyO wrote: Here's hoping Cock-boy misses the cut

 
Looking likely after that double on 12

Got one back straight away. Seems there were odds of 4/1 on him missing the cut - that seems generous to me!

Justin just gone bogey, double too to be +5 after 15. He will have a lot of work to do tomorrow

I just watched cockboy putt into a bunker. If I hadn't just paid a visit to the water closet I might have pissed myself.

LondonJonnyO wrote:I just watched cockboy putt into a bunker. If I hadn't just paid a visit to the water closet I might have pissed myself.

Brilliant LJ, I'm glad I wasn't drinking as I read this as I think I would have sputtered all over my laptop

Surprise, surprise Peter Hanson doesn't make it to the end of his round by withdrawing after five holes at two over par. Luiten must be really proud of him.

1GrumpyGolfer wrote:Surprise, surprise Peter Hanson doesn't make it to the end of his round by withdrawing after five holes at two over par.  Luiten must be really proud of him.

Apparently it was to do with regulations re. keeping his PGA card. Had no choice but to commence the round - daft rules, everybody a loser with this one.

Louis Oo has withdrawn too. Another one with injury worries

Louis was a doubt beforehand too - Luiten must be doubly annoyed

Oh dear. Been watching some golf after work in the pub but home now and thinking of settling down to watch in more detail. BBC decide the coverage has 10 minutes to run - with plenty of golf left out there, and lots of highlights to show for those of us who have been at work all day

Give the Open to Sky FFS

I posted this on Facebook but thought it worth repeating here ...

Why are the BBC so crap? The Open golf is a protected event and so must be shown on terrestrial TV. Play started at 6:30 this morning and will probably go on until after 9pm tonight - yet BBC don't start coverage until 9am and finish at 8pm

And for those of us who work during the day, there is 45 minutes of highlights at quarter past midnight.

Pretty pathetic I'd say. Scrap the sporting crown jewels and give it to Sky

The BBCs camera work is pretty piss-poor too imho....... SKY camera work is far better, even if the commentary is crap.....

Garcia looks dodgy still. Perhaps he needs more Fried Chicken in his diet.

It's not working for Tiger....

i dunno. He's under at the minute. Better than the spanish dick

The cut line is moving all over the place +4, +5, +6 back to +5. Garcia will be hoping.

I do wonder if there are any golfers that LJ likes? I seem to remember a spirited defence of Simon Khan back on the defunct 606

WUM WUM

What? Genuine question - he's had a pop at two on this thread and, in my opinion, was fairly entertaining. The Simon Khan thing was after someone called him a journey man denigrating his PGA win at Wentworth.

Cut fell at +8 in the end, so 15 players got through at T70th.

No sweat for Garcia on +6!  

+6 wouldn't entirely rule you out, but you'd need a couple of miracle rounds, which seems unlikely on that tarmac:shock: 

Sorry, I meant no sweat for Garcia making the cut - not for lifting the Claret Jug!  

Nick Faldo talks so much sense on the BBC, the Americans just don't make the best use of him in his TV role.

Grump. I dislike those who I find offensive. McIlroy is one, Garcia another... I also have a bit of an issue with the whole godbothering brigade.

McIlroy due to the way he behaves with fans, the press and others. Garcia has exposed himself one too many times for me to have any real admiration for the man. Say what you like about Tiger he at least maintains a level of detachment and professionalism. Westwood, Clarke, Rose, Donald are incredibly engaging players who clearly have the ability to play and interact with the golfing public well and cleanly.

Other than that I take them as they come.

Also. Hardly a wind up as I can be particularly harsh in my desire to see the undeserving (in my opinion) fail.

Garcia has never quite lived up to his predecessors has he? He's never going to be revered in the way that Ballesteros and Olazabal were.......

LJ, I understand, I had a feeling that you would say that it was those that get on with the job, that fulfill their obligations to fans and sponsors etc. I can vouch for Rose, we had a small interaction at the Barclays in '09; I think the English voice helped get an acknowledgment.

Nice to see Westwood doing well; hopefully he can get it done tomorrow.

Tough out there. Two shot lead will be nothing. Might help him not being in Woods' pairing.......Adam Scott / Tiger Woods will be an interesting pairing to say the least    

Westwood will blow it, we all know that. Be lucky to make the top 5

You may well be right Blue - but I sincerely hope not! And if he does lose, I just hope he doesn't collapse badly

Feeling nervous for Westwood already - it's going to be a long day!   

I think he can do this today, I honestly do and noone will deserve it more either...... 

BlueCoverman wrote:Westwood will blow it, we all know that. Be lucky to make the top 5

Ohh yee of little faith..... 

Phil is lurking, hope that Lee doesn't slip up.

FFS Lee.... get the BALL up to the bloody HOLE   

I'm not a Mickelson fan (as you may have noticed). I'd rather almost anyone but him win - but to be fair his last day performance was terrific and deserving of a Major Championship.

I wonder if he is regretting his own criticism of the course setup now