Rory hasn't won a major since 2014. Last year he came close at The Open Championship but Cam Smith was dominating with his putting. This article speaks to how Rory won his last Open Championship in 2014
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rory-mcilroy-2014-open-championship-putting-spot
Seems like he is in good form going into the event this year
Wyndham Clark already won the US Open.
Paddy Harrington thinks he can compete in The Open Championship because of his experience with Links courses .
https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2023/7/14/23795046/open-championship-padraig-harrington-challenge-scottish-open
He is playing well on the Champions tour. He would like to play the Ryder Cup.
Rory in good form heading into The Open Championship
Rory very upbeat and confidence boosted after winning Scottish down the stretch.
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rory-mcilroy-genesis-scottish-open-win-confidence-boosters?utm_medium=email&utm_source=071623&utm_campaign=hitlist&utm_content=DM41814&uuid=85f898e378d547f4aa114b5572e1ddc5
https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/the-first-look/2023/07/16/course-field-preview-the-open-championship-royal-liverpool-rory-mcilroy-scottie-scheffler-jon-rahm
Wondering if this will be the year for Tommie Fleetwood
https://nypost.com/2023/07/19/tommy-fleetwood-can-make-good-on-open-championship-dream/amp/
amateur from south africa with early ice water in his veins at -4 thru 10
I love good stories early in a major. Lamprecht is one. Matthew Jordan is another.
Bjorn and Beef in the booth? There may a different good story. Either they are both going to be afraid to really cut loose and it is boring, or they let it rip and it is epic.
Quote from: tower912 on July 20, 2023, 06:29:37 AM
I love good stories early in a major. Lamprecht is one. Matthew Jordan is another.
Bjorn and Beef in the booth? There may a different good story. Either they are both going to be afraid to really cut loose and it is boring, or they let it rip and it is epic.
I watched Lamprecht in the college playoffs. He was terrible. That's golf
Quote from: Herman Cain on July 19, 2023, 10:43:15 PM
Wondering if this will be the year for Tommie Fleetwood
https://nypost.com/2023/07/19/tommy-fleetwood-can-make-good-on-open-championship-dream/amp/
damn you hermie...he's off to a terrific start. almost switch my fanduel roster to include him but just couldn't pull the trigger-for those of you from rio linda-that's just a benign saying meaning difficult decision to pull someone else in favor of TF. lots of golf left of course
pulling for harman, mccarthy, fowler, padraig, rahm & hovland
Flower pumped two OB and JT chonked a pitch in matter of seconds of one another and Fleetwood cruises to a 66
Things looking good for Team 🇪🇺
If AI wants to impress me, create a Peter Alliss AI to call the Open Championship Presented by His Royal Majesty
They're going to put JT on the Ryder Cup team
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Not in the top 12. Playing like me. (Terrible) JT goin' home.
Quote from: tower912 on July 20, 2023, 02:00:35 PM
Not in the top 12. Playing like me. (Terrible) JT goin' home.
More time for him to work on that monstrosity he's building with Jack
Some big names proving you CAN lose a major on Thursday.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on July 20, 2023, 01:56:01 PM
They're going to put JT on the Ryder Cup team
😂😂😂😂😂😂
WTH happened to the guy?
Happy to see Harman had a good round.
Muggsy, what do you shoot on this course from the tips?
Quote from: tower912 on July 20, 2023, 04:01:48 PM
Muggsy, what do you shoot on this course from the tips?
I'd have sone trouble with the length but am a very solid links and wind player. I'm done watching men's golf until at least Monaghan is gone or this thing completely blows up.
Brian Harman. 5'7. Endless tics over the ball. Nearly Keegan Bradley-esqe. Hmmm.
#anybodybutReed
Quote from: tower912 on July 21, 2023, 06:49:49 AM
Brian Harman. 5'7. Endless tics over the ball. Nearly Keegan Bradley-esqe. Hmmm.
#anybodybutReed
Anyone that made Rick Fowler cry has a fan in me
I don't think he'll win but hell yeah, BHarm
Also, this is the Christo I saw in the NCAA's
Funny scene with Victor Hovland yesterday
https://twitter.com/CorkGaines/status/1682088261072592909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1682088261072592909%7Ctwgr%5E22df9c1b54bf519f7ea4ef08608ecb88cbe3e5e7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Fgolf%2F2023%2F7%2F20%2F23802077%2Fopen-championship-viktor-hovland-shakes-off-bird-crap-contend
Leaderboard looks a lot like this 🇪🇺
Big sticks of the Saudi Golf League crapped all over themselves.
So of the "established players," who are most likely to get in position tomorrow on Moving Day?
Day ... Spieth ... McIlroy ... Homa ... Stenson. Do Fleetwood and Clark fit into that category?
Harman could run away with it tomorrow, but that's awfully difficult to do.
Quote from: MU82 on July 21, 2023, 03:35:30 PM
So of the "established players," who are most likely to get in position tomorrow on Moving Day?
Day ... Spieth ... McIlroy ... Homa ... Stenson. Do Fleetwood and Clark fit into that category?
Harman could run away with it tomorrow, but that's awfully difficult to do.
The more likely scenario is Harman coming back to the field tomorrow.
While Fleetwood shot even today, he is still my favorite going into the weekend.
Quote from: MU82 on July 21, 2023, 03:35:30 PM
So of the "established players," who are most likely to get in position tomorrow on Moving Day?
Day ... Spieth ... McIlroy ... Homa ... Stenson. Do Fleetwood and Clark fit into that category?
Harman could run away with it tomorrow, but that's awfully difficult to do.
More importantly, how tall is Harman and how tall is Fleetwood?
Solid round for Jason Day
Quote from: MU82 on July 21, 2023, 03:35:30 PM
So of the "established players," who are most likely to get in position tomorrow on Moving Day?
Day ... Spieth ... McIlroy ... Homa ... Stenson. Do Fleetwood and Clark fit into that category?
Harman could run away with it tomorrow, but that's awfully difficult to do.
#TeamSepticTank
#TeamMinWoo
That's if Harman, the Flower Killer, doesn't win
Quote from: RJax55 on July 21, 2023, 03:48:47 PM
The more likely scenario is Harman coming back to the field tomorrow.
Agree.
X, Cant and Flower doing good work with no pressure trying to secure backdoor top-10's
Quote from: MU82 on July 21, 2023, 07:21:36 PM
Agree.
Looking at the weather forecast it's Harman's tournament to lose.
Quote from: MuggsyB on July 22, 2023, 07:28:04 AM
Looking at the weather forecast it's Harman's tournament to lose.
Weather forecast is quite benign. Someone from the -3 or the Septic Tank will shoot a 66 today is my hot take
Quote from: Uncle Rico on July 22, 2023, 07:34:42 AM
Weather forecast is quite benign. Someone from the -3 or the Septic Tank will shoot a 66 today is my hot take
Yes. If the weather is benign it's going to take a crappy round from Harman for anybody to catch him.
Quote from: MuggsyB on July 22, 2023, 07:56:13 AM
Yes. If the weather is benign it's going to take a crappy round from Harman for anybody to catch him.
I'm a Harman fan, but this isn't Tiger with a 5-shot lead. That lead could be gone by the 9th hole. Lotta golf left
Quote from: Uncle Rico on July 22, 2023, 07:59:23 AM
I'm a Harman fan, but this isn't Tiger with a 5-shot lead. That lead could be gone by the 9th hole. Lotta golf left
Enjoy.
I've already penciled in Harman. Let me know what happens.
Again, this was over the second the 3rd round started with the tame weather. :)
Muggsy jinx.
Quote from: MuggsyB on July 22, 2023, 08:14:03 AM
Enjoy.
I've already penciled in Harman. Let me know what happens.
I have a morning tee time at Blue Mound Country Club, so I'll miss it.
That Rahm guy. He is pretty good.
Been a fun watch this morning, Rahm was on a tear.
I heard the announcer say either Fleetwood or Harman hit a driving iron. Scoop golfers, do any of you use a driving iron? What are the advantages?
Excellent round by Rahm
Harman is giving back. Sunday is going to be fun.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on July 22, 2023, 08:46:01 AM
I have a morning tee time at Blue Mound Country Club, so I'll miss it.
Just some advice...#7 par 3 plays shorter than it is. Ur welcome, hey?
Nice bounceback by Harman going into back 9.
Lots of birdies out there - optimal scoring conditions. Which players can make hay the rest of the day?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on July 22, 2023, 10:28:47 AM
Just some advice...#7 par 3 plays shorter than it is. Ur welcome, hey?
I play it every Saturday. Step down for me, but it's fine
While numerous big names weren't able to fully take advantage of the conditions to put pressure on the leader, Harman impressively put himself in great position to win this tournament.
Righted the ship after early shakiness.
Quote from: tower912 on July 22, 2023, 02:05:56 PM
Righted the ship after early shakiness.
Harman winning a major before Flower would be so awesome
Quote from: Uncle Rico on July 22, 2023, 02:15:53 PM
Harman winning a major before Flower would be so awesome
Who's Flower?
Watching Harman over the ball, I have muttered "hit the ball, Sergio." If he and Corpuz play a round together, 5 hours.
Quote from: tower912 on July 22, 2023, 04:03:16 PM
Watching Harman over the ball, I have muttered "hit the ball, Sergio." If he and Corpuz play a round together, 5 hours.
He's absorbing the tears of the British fans cheering for European Flower
https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/07/22/eamon-lynch-the-open-golfs-greatest-major/
Harman has always been a very solid player. And he's 5'6 tops. :)
Short and twitchy.
Quote from: tower912 on July 22, 2023, 05:53:27 PM
Short and twitchy.
Yes. But perhaps you should allow him a bit of leeway. :)
I am not rooting against him. Completely ambivalent. Anybody but Reed.
Quote from: tower912 on July 22, 2023, 05:58:37 PM
I am not rooting against him. Completely ambivalent. Anybody but Reed.
Fair enough. I'm not watching but get emergency alerts on my phone when diminutive athletes do well. :)
Quote from: MuggsyB on July 22, 2023, 06:07:22 PM
Fair enough. I'm not watching but get emergency alerts on my phone when diminutive athletes do well. :)
This is absolutely hilarious if true
Quote from: MuggsyB on July 22, 2023, 06:07:22 PM
Fair enough. I'm not watching but get emergency alerts on my phone when diminutive athletes do well. :)
I hope that doesn't include middle-schoolers.
Quote from: JWags85 on July 22, 2023, 06:37:46 PM
This is absolutely hilarious if true
There absolutely should be DADN'S. Diminutive Athletes Dominating Notifications. I will admit that isn't the case but I have a bunch of people who alert me of prime-time performances fron our smaller citizens. :)
Quote from: MU82 on July 22, 2023, 07:17:42 PM
I hope that doesn't include middle-schoolers.
Cut the nonsense MU82. This further amplifies the prejudice many people have experienced.
Fairway woods into par 4's today.
I love wet weather gloves. No need for towels. And yes, I putt with them on. Good reminder to focus on the grip and take the hands out of the stroke.
Quote from: tower912 on July 23, 2023, 07:28:57 AM
Fairway woods into par 4's today.
I love wet weather gloves. No need for towels. And yes, I putt with them on. Good reminder to focus on the grip and take the hands out of the stroke.
Proper Open weather. Always a joy to see courses without man made waterfalls or water fountains.
Rory with nice early rally. Probably too little too late.
Rahm will need to make some noise soon to put pressure on Harman
Harman back-to-back birdies after a sloppy 6 on 5 shows some huevos.
Harman has this under control
Have to think the Septic Tank played his way on Team Europe this week
Was hoping for a great, hotly contested finish. Instead, meh.
Good on Harman, though. He's been Mr. Steady all tournament and nobody has really stepped up over the weekend to make it a real contest.
Back to back majors where complete nobody's have won
Bucket hats.
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on July 23, 2023, 11:00:28 AM
Back to back majors where complete nobody's have won
General public nobodies. Golf people knew Clark and Harman. Clark got out of the PXG contract and has been golfing well. Harman stood toe-to-toe with Prime DJ at the '17 Wells Fargo
Harman came into the tournament in good form and 26 in OWGR. So he has taken excellent advantage of his opportunity.
Stayed out of bunkers. Putted great.
Only bad news is, Harman might take JT's spot in Rome and actually get some points
Harman's dominance here will be forgotten like Kaymer's at Pinehurst in 2014 but it's a historical rout of the field. Only one other player got to -8 this week. Stunning performance
Well said. Harman really won this on Friday with his 65. For the week, hit the most fairways, putted the best, only in one bunker.
Quote from: tower912 on July 23, 2023, 12:11:20 PM
Well said. Harman really won this on Friday with his 65. For the week, hit the most fairways, putted the best, only in one bunker.
Tiger-esque
Ack! Second bunker!
The Open can still be won by a short hitter. Not sure about the other majors.
Harman Won in hard conditions which further amplifies his final round achievement
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/british-open-2023-brian-harman-conquers-waggles-rain-royal-liverpool-to-capture-claret-jug?utm_medium=email&utm_source=072323&utm_campaign=hitlistbreakingwinner&utm_content=DM42338&uuid=85f898e378d547f4aa114b5572e1ddc5
Quote from: tower912 on July 23, 2023, 12:11:20 PM
Harman really won this on Friday with his 65.
Probably. And Rahm might have lost it Thursday with his 74.
Quote from: tower912 on July 22, 2023, 08:33:40 AM
Muggsy jinx.
Or not. And Harman is a much better player than he's gotten credit for over the years. :)
He had a stellar amateur record. He had two PGA tour wins and was ranked 26 in the world prior. He had the notoriety he deserved.
Quote from: tower912 on July 23, 2023, 03:50:32 PM
He had a stellar amateur record. He had two PGA tour wins and was ranked 26 in the world prior. He had the notoriety he deserved.
The guy is an excellent player and always has been. Maybe in lieu of stating The Open "can still be won by shorter hitters" we should design golf courses differently and not simply reward guys who can hit it 350? What I see on the scoreboard is a guy who just kicked tbe crap out of every bomber in the field. :)
Indeed. He hit his driver where Tiger hit his 2 iron, allowing him to miss the fairway bunkers. I just hit a great article about how Harman being as accurate as he is allows him to hit driver when his longer hitting brethren are hitting 3 woods or long irons/hybrids.
I have generally thought of Harman as a left handed Kisner. There are courses he cannot win on, but the payout for 10th is pretty good.
59 out of 60 inside 10 feet this week. Practice that chipping and short putting.
Quote from: tower912 on July 23, 2023, 04:12:53 PM
Indeed. He hit his driver where Tiger hit his 2 iron, allowing him to miss the fairway bunkers. I just hit a great article about how Harman being as accurate as he is allows him to hit driver when his longer hitting brethren are hitting 3 woods or long irons/hybrids.
I have generally thought of Harman as a left handed Kisner. There are courses he cannot win on, but the payout for 10th is pretty good.
59 out of 60 inside 10 feet this week. Practice that chipping and short putting.
59/60 is rather impressive. I guess I need to work on my putting.
As a side note it's pretty remarkable Rory will be at 10 yrs without a major.
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/2023-british-open-brian-harman-driving-strategy
Quote from: tower912 on July 23, 2023, 07:39:47 PM
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/2023-british-open-brian-harman-driving-strategy
Great insight in this article.
Good on Brian Harman. Really thought he would give up his lead on Saturday.
Of all the Open venues, I find Royal Liverpool to be the most boring. Just have to wait two more years for Portrush again. Hoping that Open will have some drama on Sunday.
Three fun facts about Harman's win (from The Athletic daily newsletter):
++ Harman needed just 106 putts to finish the tournament, the fewest ever in Open history. Todd Hamilton held the previous record of 109 at the 2004 tournament. Harman didn't miss a putt within five feet this weekend.
++ He said in his post-match press conference that after his second bogey on Saturday, which gave others some false hope, he escaped a funk thanks to a heckler who told him he didn't "have the stones" to win. Nice job, bud.
++ Harman is just the fifth lefty to win a major. Phil Mickelson, Bob Charles, Mike Weir and Bubba Watson are the others.
Quote from: MU82 on July 24, 2023, 09:59:39 AM
Three fun facts about Harman's win (from The Athletic daily newsletter):
++ Harman is just the fifth lefty to win a major. Phil Mickelson, Bob Charles, Mike Weir and Bubba Watson are the others.
I find this stat interesting. Studies show approximately 10% of people are left handed. Wonder why this number is so small. 232 different people have won majors (out of the 466 majors).
Quote from: lawdog77 on July 24, 2023, 10:05:06 AM
I find this stat interesting. Studies show approximately 10% of people are left handed. Wonder why this number is so small. 232 different people have won majors (out of the 466 majors).
Until the 1980s, most people were taught to play right-handed no matter their handedness. This had to do with golf club availability and the lack of left-handed options.
In the 80s, woods moved to being metal and many irons started being made via investment casting. Those manufacturing innovations brought initial costs down and made producing left-handed clubs financially viable for the equipment companies.
It is no surprise that of the five left handed major winners, 4 of the 5 are post-2000.