The Open Championship

First topic message reminder :

Congratulations to Henrik Stenson!

FWIW

Halep and Raonic both withdrew from the Olympics today

When did Butch Harmon die? Looks like he's been dug up and had a cheap suit put on him.

AlciG wrote:

McLaren wrote:McIlroy apparently low man for the afternoon wave and two of his dropped shots had nothing to do with the weather.  He may regret switching off for that 30 min period just after the turn.

I think that's Jason Day... he's the only one in the red today for the afternoon wave

Talking in terms of position on the leaderboard.

McLaren wrote:

AlciG wrote:

McLaren wrote:McIlroy apparently low man for the afternoon wave and two of his dropped shots had nothing to do with the weather.  He may regret switching off for that 30 min period just after the turn.

I think that's Jason Day... he's the only one in the red today for the afternoon wave

Talking in terms of position on the leaderboard.

What wave was Patrick Reed in?

GPB I think Reed was a few groups ahead of McIlroy, certainly out in some of the worst conditions.

https://twitter.com/theweeman77/status/754212820602982400

https://twitter.com/TheOpen/status/754058057668255744

Any predictions for what score/who will be leading at the end of play today?

If the wind stays strong today well then let's say -8! If it calms down I'd say -13

Doesn't the forecast suggest the wind might ease off a little later this afternoon/evening?
In which case the leaders could really string the field out.

http://www.myweather2.com/Golf-Courses/United-Kingdom/Ayrshire/Royal-Troon-Golf-Club.aspx
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcueyktkr

These forecasts to me suggest it won't drop that much

Fantastic round from Porteous today!

Unfortunately, Porteous is +5 on the 18th hole; imagine there'll be lots of stats like that this week.

Isn't it just about time Danny Willett snapped out of his post-Augusta hangover?

Nice round too from Snedeker, and he needs it to keep pace on the us Ryder Cup points list.

Interesting stat on the ET web-site:
Over his last TEN Major rounds, Spieth hasn't broken par: +18.

Jason Day trying hard to reel in the leaders - will he keep this up?

Dufners moustache. Must be a bet.

Nick Dougherty just got his players mixed up and we had a boxer putting for birdie. Ricky Fowler + Tyrell Hatton = Ricky Hatton.

How does Rory fix his putting? I assume he realises just how bad he is compared to the other top players.

Nice club smash Rory. Keep it up and pea brain Sergio can give you shoe throwing lessons to complete your training.

Matsuyama got a penalty for slow play during the 2013 open but somehow Stenson has avoided the same fate today. Penalize the Japanese but not the Ryder cupper?

Quite remarkable that Bill Haas is still to have a top 10 in majors!

I was going to throw Patrick Reed in, but he is still relatively new in playing majors to be fair

Stenson's putting on the back nine has been incredible and Mickelson's short game as well! Fantastic from both!

Come on Henrik!

Lots to play for on Sunday, including Top Ten exemption for Birkdale - that'll be big for guys like Beef, Bradley, Kjeldsen, Stricker, Finau, Hatton, Herman etc.

Top four go to Augusta.

McLaren wrote:Matsuyama got a penalty for slow play during the 2013 open but somehow Stenson has avoided the same fate today.  Penalize the Japanese but not the Ryder cupper?

Mickelson/Stenson finished in about 4 hours/

Sneds and Spieth, in one of the early tee times finished in 3 hrs 25 minutes

I sure get the feeling that FIGJAM is on borrowed time, so Stenson the clear favorite. Let's hope he can cope with the pressure.

GBP

But Mickelson/Stenson lost more than a hole to the group in front (soren's group), which is the usual measure of whether you are playing slowly or not.

Ah ha, American psychology . . . . . . . .
"YES!!! We beat the clear favourite . . . . . . . . ."

"We"?

"We"

I'll edit!

McLaren wrote:GBP

But Mickelson/Stenson lost more than a hole to the group in front (soren's group), which is the usual measure of whether you are playing slowly or not.

On the PGATour, if you're within "Time Par" you are not put on the clock.

I don't know what the R&A procedures are.

I usually notice when one of the last groups is out of position but it was not apparent to me today that it happened.

I have the telecast on my DVR if you could point out the hole where you think Stenson/Mickelson were out of position.

How fast will Monty play as a one-some tomorrow? I guess it depends on what is on the brunch buffet!

GBP

Not sure, but almost certain that the group in front were on the 14th green while stenson/Phil were teeing off on 13.

This could be a day of carnage, certainly not just a two horse race.

Question is, though, which of the chasing posse would you fancy to take advantage of stumbles by the leaders?
I don't fancy Billy Haas or Beef, so the rest are seven strokes behind Phil.

Victor Chandler betting site is offering 6/1 on Beef in the betting WITHOUT Hedwig and FIGJAM

McLaren wrote:GBP

Not sure, but almost certain that the group in front were on the 14th green while stenson/Phil were teeing off on 13.

Since #14 is a par 3, that is probably less than 10 minutes out of position.

So who does everyone have winning? Stenson or Mickelson or another?

HENRIK!!!!!!

Mcilroy with another final round charge in a major when he is out of contention, it seems to be the case the last 2 years....Everyone always goes on about his putting being his major weakness, but for me his short games is just as poor

GPB wrote:

McLaren wrote:GBP

Not sure, but almost certain that the group in front were on the 14th green while stenson/Phil were teeing off on 13.

Since #14 is a par 3, that is probably less than 10 minutes out of position.

Really? If you lost that much ground in a medal there would be words in the bar.

sirbenson wrote:Mcilroy with another final round charge in a major when he is out of contention, it seems to be the case the last 2 years....Everyone always goes on about his putting being his major weakness, but for me his short games is just as poor

I guess having a poor short game means you have longer putts for par.

sirbenson wrote:So who does everyone have winning? Stenson or Mickelson or another?

I will go for another. I reckon Na has a 63 in him today.

Henrik, I think. But would enjoy seeing Johnston make a run.

Great club break for Pieters! Pea-brain would be proud.

Great play by the leading two. I'd like henrik to win. A week for the club smashers then! On that though it really doesn't bother me whether they smash clubs. I find the reactions of people thinking it's terrible a bit over the top.

Incredible standard from both!

McLaren wrote:

GPB wrote:

McLaren wrote:GBP

Not sure, but almost certain that the group in front were on the 14th green while stenson/Phil were teeing off on 13.

Since #14 is a par 3, that is probably less than 10 minutes out of position.

Really? If you lost that much ground in a medal there would be words in the bar.

If you are within the standard, IMO, there is not a problem

FWIW...Henrik and Phil played the front nine in less than 2 hours. Rory and Emiliano just completed their round in 3 hrs 40 minutes.

Henrick about to hitting the putting wobbles?

A bit of a shame but Beef starting to struggle a bit.

Humdinger of a final round between Stenson and Mickelson. They are a huge distance from the rest of the field. They have both played brilliantly across all four rounds.

Henrik looks plenty solid ... I think ol' Phil is getting a bit loose.

Phil's par on 12 was scary good even for Phil

This has a playoff written all over it!