2022 British Open Championship Thread

[MU82]

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

As a casual golf fan, I might watch a little of the President's Cup (which actually is in Charlotte this year, but I'm not going). Otherwise, see y'all the second weekend of April!

[tower912]

If Feherty goes to LIV, I may have to figure out a new voice in my head to narrate my rounds.

[MuggsyB]

How exactly are people going to qualify for the majors if they go to LIV?  Asian Tour points?  I assume there are young players that have no certainty that they will get a PGA tour card.  I could see LIV poaching these players pretty easily with up front money


I think the sport/game of golf  will have a very rough 3-5 yrs if these rumors come to pass.  LIV will not get a TV contract.  There seem to be a lot of asshats involved in this whole thing beyond the obvious asshats.   That's my perception. 

[The Sultan]

If enough big names go, LIV will get a TV contract.

[MuggsyB]

If enough big names go, LIV will get a TV contract.

I would find a way to blackball every single LIV member from participating in the Majors and then see what happens.   Just sayin..  I believe it can be done. 

[JWags85]

If enough big names go, LIV will get a TV contract.

I also think the shotgun starts will disappear too.  Maybe still only be 54 holes, but otherwise I think it will be no gimmick cause it wont be needed.

[The Sultan]

I would find a way to blackball every single LIV member from participating in the Majors and then see what happens.   Just sayin..  I believe it can be done. 

The Masters, US Open and British Open have no reason to blackball LIV golfers.  Furthermore doing this may be in violation of American anti-trust law.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/us-probing-pga-tour-it-fights-off-rival-liv-golf-2022-07-11/

Look, we know how unsavory LIV is for a multitude of reasons. But it is doing businesses legally in the United States. If the PGA is indeed a superior product for whatever reason, the eyeballs and money will follow.

This is really no different than the USFL giving Herschel Walker a big contract back in the day.  (And the good news is that the guys behind LIV are way less unsavory than the guy who gave Walker that contract.)

[The Sultan]

I also think the shotgun starts will disappear too.  Maybe still only be 54 holes, but otherwise I think it will be no gimmick cause it wont be needed.

I actually kinda like the shotgun start concept. It makes it a shorter TV product with the potential to create drama.

The team thing is strange though.

[cheebs09]

I also think the shotgun starts will disappear too.  Maybe still only be 54 holes, but otherwise I think it will be no gimmick cause it wont be needed.

I do wonder if there will be some dog catches car type of scenario if things keep progressing this way. I'll be honest, I didn't see LIV getting this much traction. If they do get more players, I'll be interested to see if they are able to run the tour in a way that keeps players happy. The big paychecks are a nice start though.

Maybe this is over dramatic, but if some of the international guys switch over, I don't see the value proposition of the PGA other than we aren't the Saudi's. I don't know if the fields would be any higher quality with many more defections.

If LIV has a reasonable way to qualify for the majors, it's going to be very interesting.

[MuggsyB]

I actually kinda like the shotgun start concept. It makes it a shorter TV product with the potential to create drama.

The team thing is strange though.

The shotgun starts are idiotic. 

[The Sultan]

The shotgun starts are idiotic. 

LOL. Substantive as always...

[Uncle Rico]

LOL. Substantive as always...

Wildly disagree on the shotgun start.  If golf wasn't a TV product, I'd have no problem with it.  No one wants to see Cam finishing on 11 yesterday with Rory finishing on 10

[Goose]

Muggs

I am with you 100% on the shotgun being foolish. I really think the beauty of traditional 72-hole golf is playing the course beginning at one. There are many great courses that feature outstanding finishing hole(s) and knowing they are the finishing holes makes it exciting IMO. I think 17 and 18 at SA is a perfect example of this and knowing that the leaders could stumble on 17 or go for broke on 18 made it exciting to the end. The shotgun format is definitely geared for fringe golf fans, and I believe they will go to traditional format because of the number of players signing up.

[MuggsyB]

Wildly disagree on the shotgun start.  If golf wasn't a TV product, I'd have no problem with it.  No one wants to see Cam finishing on 11 yesterday with Rory finishing on 10

Exactly.  And not to mention the entire tournament could play differently if you don't play the holes in sequence.    Fluffy has no idea what he's talking about Uncle R. 

[MuggsyB]

Muggs

I am with you 100% on the shotgun being foolish. I really think the beauty of traditional 72-hole golf is playing the course beginning at one. There are many great courses that feature outstanding finishing hole(s) and knowing they are the finishing holes makes it exciting IMO. I think 17 and 18 at SA is a perfect example of this and knowing that the leaders could stumble on 17 or go for broke on 18 made it exciting to the end. The shotgun format is definitely geared for fringe golf fans, and I believe they will go to traditional format because of the number of players signing up.

Yes Goose.  Does Fluffy really believe that two people vying to win a tournament want to finish on 6 and 13 as opposed to 18?  There's a reason courses have.a layout and the 18th is generally a signature hole.  Oh.. and what happens say if there's a playoff?  Does one player play 6 while the other plays 14?  This is moronic Goose.

[MuggsyB]

For all we know Fluffy wants overhand serves in ping pong because this is the new age.  Smh.

[Goose]

Muggs

I really felt everything great about a traditional 72-hole tournament was evident this weekend. I realize the days/week are grueling both physically and emotionally for the guys in the hunt, but I could not imagine a cooler feeling in the world playing in the final match at SA or any major for that matter.

LIV is a gimmick, but a high paying gimmick and we will see where it ends up. I still believe we will see a defector from LIV before the end of the year. There are going to be too many players and not enough spots to play everyone. IMO, I think LIV should stop with 40-50 also rans and chase young guys. To be honest, watching Lee Westwood, Stenson and Bubba battle it out is not that appealing to me. That said, I am sure that would get the shotgun backers attention.

[The Sultan]

For all we know Fluffy wants overhand serves in ping pong because this is the new age.  Smh.

I really don't care at all about ping pong.

And honestly I don't watch golf much so it's no biggie to me. I can just see the allure from a TV perspective. I also don't buy into golf's over-romanticism like others apparently do.

[Herman Cain]

Rory had a first in majors history on Sunday....

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/british-open-2022-rory-mcilroy-pulled-off-first-golf-history-stats?itm_source=parsely-api

[MuggsyB]

Muggs

I really felt everything great about a traditional 72-hole tournament was evident this weekend. I realize the days/week are grueling both physically and emotionally for the guys in the hunt, but I could not imagine a cooler feeling in the world playing in the final match at SA or any major for that matter.

LIV is a gimmick, but a high paying gimmick and we will see where it ends up. I still believe we will see a defector from LIV before the end of the year. There are going to be too many players and not enough spots to play everyone. IMO, I think LIV should stop with 40-50 also rans and chase young guys. To be honest, watching Lee Westwood, Stenson and Bubba battle it out is not that appealing to me. That said, I am sure that would get the shotgun backers attention.

But Fluffy's apparently intrigued Goose by the "shotgun starts".  Maybe he wants Wimbledon to move from a grass court to a high school gym?

[🏀]

The Masters, US Open and British Open have no reason to blackball LIV golfers.  Furthermore doing this may be in violation of American anti-trust law.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/us-probing-pga-tour-it-fights-off-rival-liv-golf-2022-07-11/

Look, we know how unsavory LIV is for a multitude of reasons. But it is doing businesses legally in the United States. If the PGA is indeed a superior product for whatever reason, the eyeballs and money will follow.

This is really no different than the USFL giving Herschel Walker a big contract back in the day.  (And the good news is that the guys behind LIV are way less unsavory than the guy who gave Walker that contract.)

Masters is an invitational. They have an out clause, they can do what they want.

Muggs and Goose can continue to clutch pearls, but LIV is happening. They will have the better field in due time. If the OWGR doesn't recognize it, then they are a useless organization and no longer viable.

[The Sultan]

But Fluffy's apparently intrigued Goose by the "shotgun starts".  Maybe he wants Wimbledon to move from a grass court to a high school gym?

Again, when you want to engage in something other than absurdities and chicken little comments, let me know. Otherwise don't expect me to take you seriously.

[MuggsyB]

I really don't care at all about ping pong.

And honestly I don't watch golf much so it's no biggie to me. I can just see the allure from a TV perspective. I also don't buy into golf's over-romanticism like others apparently do.

We're aware of this Fluffy.  You're riveted as much by the Clown  mini golf hole in Happy Gilmore as you are by Amen Corner. 

[MuggsyB]

Again, when you want to engage in something other than absurdities and chicken little comments, let me know. Otherwise don't expect me to take you seriously.

You're defensive because you know damn well your comments are absurd. 

[🏀]

You're defensive because you know damn well your comments are absurd. 

Are you NateDogg?