The Open

[tikay]

Today's tee-times.


http://www.theopen.com/TeeTimes#!/R4

Bernhard Langer is first off, at 0745. I sense he'll shoot low today.

oioi, Langer birdied the first.

...and then 3 putted the 2nd for bogey.

xdfl,g;lsd,g;ls,ez;l,wfa,m

....and another bogey at 4.

[tikay]

what channel is the golf on?

Don't think it is on TV until 1.45pm, I am following it on Online.

I'm just rather keen to see B'e'r'n'h'a'r'd L'a'n'g'e'r have a good day.

[TightEnd]

why would the BBC not even be starting online coverage until 1.30pm?

they miss players 4 shots off the lead going round

cost presumably? higherhourly rates for the extra day for the OB crews/equipment hire?

[tikay]

why would the BBC not even be starting online coverage until 1.30pm?

they miss players 4 shots off the lead going round

cost presumably? higherhourly rates for the extra day for the OB crews/equipment hire?

No idea at all, Rich.

It might be that their Contract allows for x hours of coverage, but I don't know.

Also, the Crew have worked 4 long days, maybe they feel it's unfair to work a fifth. Overtime costs may be part of the equation, with the microscope currently focussed on BBC finances.

The BBC coverage has been near faultless, imo, but it's certainly a shame they are not covering this morning's play.

Maybe, with Monday being a work day, the potential audience size does not justify the cost?

Have to say, though it's barely raised mention on Twitter & Co, extending into a 5th day don't 'arf cause some logistical headaches, for organisers, providers of temporary grandstands & toilets, TV staff, caterers, volunteer Marshals, & so on.

Great for the hotels, of course.

Must be a bit of a pain for some of the players, too, who are due back in the USA or wherever for their next jobbie.    

[The Camel]

What an amazing turn-round in form for Padraig Harrington.

Last year it looked like he had lost his game completely, he's unrecognizable from that now. 

Can't odds it can you, I remember talking about him as a potential bet last year and I think you said something like "I wouldn't back him with your money" (not for the Open but another tournament). Think he has shown a bit of form recently but you still couldn't trust him, you know he is going to hose up now, right?

I'm only a casual (though keen) golf observer, but I listen to good advice, & watch tricks. Good judges such as Bobby1 have lots of inside lines, & he told me a few tales, & I certainly formed the impression that Padraig had lost it, & no longer had the personal drive & hunger needed.

And yet, now, all of a sudden, he's had a good season, won the Honda Classic, & now in with a chance of another Open. What a thing that would be, people love "comebacks".

I note from his Wiki that he's related to......


Harrington is a distant cousin of 1995 World Series of Poker champion and author Dan Harrington and former NFL quarterback Joey Harrington.[

Not sure why I found that interesting, but I did.

AFAIK the family relationship between Padraig and Dan is true, but some mischievous scamp has added the Joey link for japes.

[tikay]

What an amazing turn-round in form for Padraig Harrington.

Last year it looked like he had lost his game completely, he's unrecognizable from that now. 

Can't odds it can you, I remember talking about him as a potential bet last year and I think you said something like "I wouldn't back him with your money" (not for the Open but another tournament). Think he has shown a bit of form recently but you still couldn't trust him, you know he is going to hose up now, right?

I'm only a casual (though keen) golf observer, but I listen to good advice, & watch tricks. Good judges such as Bobby1 have lots of inside lines, & he told me a few tales, & I certainly formed the impression that Padraig had lost it, & no longer had the personal drive & hunger needed.

And yet, now, all of a sudden, he's had a good season, won the Honda Classic, & now in with a chance of another Open. What a thing that would be, people love "comebacks".

I note from his Wiki that he's related to......


Harrington is a distant cousin of 1995 World Series of Poker champion and author Dan Harrington and former NFL quarterback Joey Harrington.[

Not sure why I found that interesting, but I did.

AFAIK the family relationship between Padraig and Dan is true, but some mischievous scamp has added the Joey link for japes.

People mess with other folks Wiki pages?

Unbelievable.

[strak33]

Whoever signed Speith and Dunne for Under Armour is having a pretty incredible few months i imagine.

[Doobs]

What an amazing turn-round in form for Padraig Harrington.

Last year it looked like he had lost his game completely, he's unrecognizable from that now.  

Can't odds it can you, I remember talking about him as a potential bet last year and I think you said something like "I wouldn't back him with your money" (not for the Open but another tournament). Think he has shown a bit of form recently but you still couldn't trust him, you know he is going to hose up now, right?

I'm only a casual (though keen) golf observer, but I listen to good advice, & watch tricks. Good judges such as Bobby1 have lots of inside lines, & he told me a few tales, & I certainly formed the impression that Padraig had lost it, & no longer had the personal drive & hunger needed.

And yet, now, all of a sudden, he's had a good season, won the Honda Classic, & now in with a chance of another Open. What a thing that would be, people love "comebacks".

I note from his Wiki that he's related to......


Harrington is a distant cousin of 1995 World Series of Poker champion and author Dan Harrington and former NFL quarterback Joey Harrington.[

Not sure why I found that interesting, but I did.

AFAIK the family relationship between Padraig and Dan is true, but some mischievous scamp has added the Joey link for japes.

Absolutely sure the Dan/Padraig link is true.  I remember reading something Dan wrote about it along the lines of even after winning the main event some people still just wanted to talk about his famous cousin.

Edit
It might even have been his mother.  Look how well Padraig is doing for himself.

Edit

Found it.  When Dan rang his mum to tell her he had just won the WSOP, she replied look how well your cousin Padraig is doing, he has just won £150,000 in a golf tournament in Europe.  Isn't that incredible.

Must be a bit like Jamie Murray feels.  So what if you reached the final at Wimbledon and won your rubber in the Davis Cup, how is Andy doing?

[RED-DOG]

Surely someone must be broadcasting coverage of the open.

[The Camel]

Any love for Dustin at 60?

Course suits him down to the ground and pressure right off after yesterday.

If he's ever going to win a major, it's almost certainly going to be coming from the pack with a really low number rather than playing in the last group.

Don't think there's a player more likely to shoot 64 in the top 30 than him today.

[DMorgan]

Surely someone must be broadcasting coverage of the open.

ESPN from 11:00

[tikay]

Any love for Dustin at 60?

Course suits him down to the ground and pressure right off after yesterday.

If he's ever going to win a major, it's almost certainly going to be coming from the pack with a really low number rather than playing in the last group.

Don't think there's a player more likely to shoot 64 in the top 30 than him today.

You may well be right, but a lengthy piece in today's Times suggests otherwise.

In the last 5 Majors, his score in the first 2 rounds has been 31 under par, & for the final 2 rounds 3 over par.  

It also reminds us that, arguably, he blew it in the US Open recently, & it suggests that pressure was the cause, or his inability to handle it.

It makes a few other points as to his general demeanour yesterday, too, suggesting all was not well with him even before the round. His 75 yesterday was the 2nd worst score of all 80 players.

Anyway, if you are on, good luck to you & Dustin J'Ohnson.  

[The Camel]

Any love for Dustin at 60?

Course suits him down to the ground and pressure right off after yesterday.

If he's ever going to win a major, it's almost certainly going to be coming from the pack with a really low number rather than playing in the last group.

Don't think there's a player more likely to shoot 64 in the top 30 than him today.

You may well be right, but a lengthy piece in today's Times suggests otherwise.

In the last 5 Majors, his score in the first 2 rounds has been 31 under par, & for the final 2 rounds 3 over par.  

It also reminds us that, arguably, he blew it in the US Open recently, & it suggests that pressure was the cause, or his inability to handle it.

It makes a few other points as to his general demeanour yesterday, too, suggesting all was not well with him even before the round. His 75 yesterday was the 2nd worst score of all 80 players.

Anyway, if you are on, good luck to you & Dustin J'Ohnson.  

I saw those stats about his first 36 holes scoring v final 36, but he's been in the last couple of groups for most of those 5 events.

Today, he's much earlier away from the pressure cooker atmosphere.

There's definitely something wrong mentally though, I appreciate that. It's a shame because he's a quite astounding golfer to watch when playing at his best.

At 60, it's worth taking a chance I think.

[tikay]

Any love for Dustin at 60?

Course suits him down to the ground and pressure right off after yesterday.

If he's ever going to win a major, it's almost certainly going to be coming from the pack with a really low number rather than playing in the last group.

Don't think there's a player more likely to shoot 64 in the top 30 than him today.

You may well be right, but a lengthy piece in today's Times suggests otherwise.

In the last 5 Majors, his score in the first 2 rounds has been 31 under par, & for the final 2 rounds 3 over par.  

It also reminds us that, arguably, he blew it in the US Open recently, & it suggests that pressure was the cause, or his inability to handle it.

It makes a few other points as to his general demeanour yesterday, too, suggesting all was not well with him even before the round. His 75 yesterday was the 2nd worst score of all 80 players.

Anyway, if you are on, good luck to you & Dustin J'Ohnson.  

I saw those stats about his first 36 holes scoring v final 36, but he's been in the last couple of groups for most of those 5 events.

Today, he's much earlier away from the pressure cooker atmosphere.

There's definitely something wrong mentally though, I appreciate that. It's a shame because he's a quite astounding golfer to watch when playing at his best.

At 60, it's worth taking a chance I think.

Yes, I'm not disputing he may be value @ 60.

He does seem to have some issues between the ears though. Hope he solves them, he genuinely looks top drawer when he is on his game.  He looked imperious & untroubled on Saturday, to my eye.

[MereNovice]

Sky reporting bad weather due at 2pm when the leaders will be starting.