The Official NPR Golf Thread

[Insane_Homer]

Has anyone seen the Matsuyama incident. That trick has been a well known cheat since Pontius was a pilot. You have to wonder how a pro golfer or anyone on his team thought he could get away with it. The irony that he was playing with Patrick Reed as well.

What was the advantage gained? I don't see any difference to guys drawing lines all over their balls to help then line up putts?

[dpedin]

Has anyone seen the Matsuyama incident. That trick has been a well known cheat since Pontius was a pilot. You have to wonder how a pro golfer or anyone on his team thought he could get away with it. The irony that he was playing with Patrick Reed as well.

What was the advantage gained? I don't see any difference to guys drawing lines all over their balls to help then line up putts?

Marking was with material that was on face of club and deemed it could interfere with ball contact - it looked like tipex on the face of his 3 wood or rescue? No problem putting a line on the club above the face but on the actual face itself is just plain stupid!

[Blackmac]

Has anyone seen the Matsuyama incident. That trick has been a well known cheat since Pontius was a pilot. You have to wonder how a pro golfer or anyone on his team thought he could get away with it. The irony that he was playing with Patrick Reed as well.

What was the advantage gained? I don't see any difference to guys drawing lines all over their balls to help then line up putts?

They are saying it is a thick tipex or silicon style substance which is clearly filing the grooves and protruding onto the face. It's a well know but totally illegal hack to reduce side spin and hit straighter drives. Rick Shiels did an excellent video of it where he put some substance on the face of his driver and basically found it impossible to hit an off centre drive.
I can't believe Matsuyama meant it for that effect but it's astonishing thathe thought it wouldn't look like that.

[Insane_Homer]

Has anyone seen the Matsuyama incident. That trick has been a well known cheat since Pontius was a pilot. You have to wonder how a pro golfer or anyone on his team thought he could get away with it. The irony that he was playing with Patrick Reed as well.

What was the advantage gained? I don't see any difference to guys drawing lines all over their balls to help then line up putts?

They are saying it is a thick tipex or silicon style substance which is clearly filing the grooves and protruding onto the face. It's a well know but totally illegal hack to reduce side spin and hit straighter drives. Rick Shiels did an excellent video of it where he put some substance on the face of his driver and basically found it impossible to hit an off centre drive.
I can't believe Matsuyama meant it for that effect but it's astonishing thathe thought it wouldn't look like that.

ah! thanks

[Biffer]

McDowell says

If Saudi Arabia want to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be, we're proud to help them on that journey, using the game of golf and the abilities we have to help grow the sport.

So he’s entirely comfortable with sport washing, where they spend money to distract from their human rights problems, and he’s happy to stick that money in his own pocket.

Twat.

[Blackmac]

McDowell says

If Saudi Arabia want to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be, we're proud to help them on that journey, using the game of golf and the abilities we have to help grow the sport.

So he’s entirely comfortable with sport washing, where they spend money to distract from their human rights problems, and he’s happy to stick that money in his own pocket.

Twat.

I'm actually quite shocked how many of my friends are on board with this and can't see the problem, citing the usual bollocks about independent contactors and other sporting events in Saudi, China etc.
The press conference with poulter and Westwood today was just car crash stuff.

[dpedin]

Bunch of mercenary bastards - hope the LIV sinks without trace given its funding from the Saudis - they could at least come clean and admit they've sold their souls purely for the cash on offer.

Having said the above, US golf and increasingly European golf, has become very boring with courses set up to help the big bombers on the tour. Courses are too similar - long, wide flat fairways, rough which is minimal and hardly a penalty, big fast greens and bunkers which are not hazards. Having played many times in the US their courses are all pretty similar and designed for the rich, middle class, middle aged American and just made longer for the pros. They also rarely play in anything but perfect weather - 80 degrees with little wind. Whilst it is good fun for us on holiday from the UK they do tend to blend into one after a while. I would however exempt Pete Dye courses from this criticism he had a bit of imagination. Instead of increasing the prize funds and changing the format a wee bit they really need to think about the courses and get back to difficult courses with narrow fairways, bunkers that penalise, rough that is real rough and play in a variety of conditions. In fact a bit like playing the British Open and true links courses!

[Blackmac]

Regardless of the moral argument, which is tenuous at least given our other sporting connections to the Middle East, the main concern is the long term damage to the sport in general. Norman has made no attempt to hide the fact that the league will be a limited field of the worlds best playing a limited amount of tournaments. So where does that leave the rest of pro golf. If the top players are tied to their guaranteed Saudi cash, sponsors will no longer be interested in sponsoring the existing tournaments which will cause the other tours to dry up and fail. The Liv golfers I have the least respect for are the guys like Canter and Horsfield. If Liv is a success they will be fucked right out of the league as soon as enough top players sign up, however they are probably hoping that the may have earned life changing money by then, certainly more than they would earn in their careers on the regular tours, and don't give a fuck.

[Blackmac]

Jesus, less than 5000 though the gates and apparently most of them got free tickets. £67 for less than a 5 hour day out due to the shotgun start, which also makes it impossible to follow many groups throughout the day.

Also nice to see Michelson turn up looking like he has just come off a 10 day coke and drink bender.

[Paddington Bear]

Jesus, less than 5000 though the gates and apparently most of them got free tickets. £67 for less than a 5 hour day out due to the shotgun start, which also makes it impossible to follow many groups throughout the day.

Also nice to see Michelson turn up looking like he has just come off a 10 day coke and drink bender.

'Looking like'.

It's been poorly marketed, I live quite close and had no idea it was on until the other day.

[Blackmac]

Jesus, less than 5000 though the gates and apparently most of them got free tickets. £67 for less than a 5 hour day out due to the shotgun start, which also makes it impossible to follow many groups throughout the day.

Also nice to see Michelson turn up looking like he has just come off a 10 day coke and drink bender.

'Looking like'.

It's been poorly marketed, I live quite close and had no idea it was on until the other day.

Plenty publicity to be fair, but all around the controversies. Watching these greedy pricks sitting there claiming they are there to grow the games is just astonishing. Anyone with half a brain knows that a successful Saudi league will devastate pro golf for everyone apart from the elite.

[FalseBayFC]

End of a good sporting weekend for Saffers as Charles Schwartzel wins $4.75 million in the richest purse in golf history. He won $1.1 million.

Lots of kvetching from the woke media about the tournament being funded by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. For as long as there are US military bases in Saudi and UK arms sales to the kingdom they should all just stfu. Maybe the Guardian should recommend we cold turkey on Saudi oil. Their culture and travel columns only exist because of cheap oil after all and that's one of their chief ad revenue sources.

[Blackmac]

End of a good sporting weekend for Saffers as Charles Schwartzel wins $4.75 million in the richest purse in golf history. He won $1.1 million.

Lots of kvetching from the woke media about the tournament being funded by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. For as long as there are US military bases in Saudi and UK arms sales to the kingdom they should all just stfu. Maybe the Guardian should recommend we cold turkey on Saudi oil. Their culture and travel columns only exist because of cheap oil after all and that's one of their chief ad revenue sources.

Yep, that is jus one part of the concerns though. The obvious issue is that a successful Saudi league will absolutely devastate pro golf world wide. Watching these guys getting so much for what is virtually an exhibition is just disgraceful.

[FalseBayFC]

End of a good sporting weekend for Saffers as Charles Schwartzel wins $4.75 million in the richest purse in golf history. He won $1.1 million.

Lots of kvetching from the woke media about the tournament being funded by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. For as long as there are US military bases in Saudi and UK arms sales to the kingdom they should all just stfu. Maybe the Guardian should recommend we cold turkey on Saudi oil. Their culture and travel columns only exist because of cheap oil after all and that's one of their chief ad revenue sources.

Yep, that is jus one part of the concerns though. The obvious issue is that a successful Saudi league will absolutely devastate pro golf world wide. Watching these guys getting so much for what is virtually an exhibition is just disgraceful.

In the eighties we ran the Million Dollar tournament in Sun City South Africa. It had some of the same criticism. It never really reached the ambitious aims of becoming the African major. I'm not sure a Saudi/Gulf league would ever capture the imagination of the US golf audience and they are the backbone of pro golf.

Or it might have the same effect as the IPL has on cricket. A much bigger global audience resulting in the game growing worldwide. All the domestic T20 cricket leagues have boomed since the IPL started. A few more Asian superstars playing in the PGA and European tour would bring viewerships and ad money from Asia that would good for the game imo.

[Blackmac]

End of a good sporting weekend for Saffers as Charles Schwartzel wins $4.75 million in the richest purse in golf history. He won $1.1 million.

Lots of kvetching from the woke media about the tournament being funded by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. For as long as there are US military bases in Saudi and UK arms sales to the kingdom they should all just stfu. Maybe the Guardian should recommend we cold turkey on Saudi oil. Their culture and travel columns only exist because of cheap oil after all and that's one of their chief ad revenue sources.

Yep, that is jus one part of the concerns though. The obvious issue is that a successful Saudi league will absolutely devastate pro golf world wide. Watching these guys getting so much for what is virtually an exhibition is just disgraceful.

In the eighties we ran the Million Dollar tournament in Sun City South Africa. It had some of the same criticism. It never really reached the ambitious aims of becoming the African major. I'm not sure a Saudi/Gulf league would ever capture the imagination of the US golf audience and they are the backbone of pro golf.

Or it might have the same effect as the IPL has on cricket. A much bigger global audience resulting in the game growing worldwide. All the domestic T20 cricket leagues have boomed since the IPL started. A few more Asian superstars playing in the PGA and European tour would bring viewerships and ad money from Asia that would good for the game imo.

Norman has made it clear it is a limited field as the shotgun format only supports a maximum field of 72, likely less as that means four balls which would mean excruciatingly long rounds.
Once the worlds top 50 sign up to play only 12 tournaments a year for silly money, its easy to see how sponsorship dries up on the other tours.
This is just another example of the elite wanting a greater slice of the pie.

[dpedin]

Off to France on Thursday for 7 days of golf in what will now look like hot temps, probably too hot for me! This trip has been cancelled 3 times due to covid so desperate to actually get out there, see old friends, play some lovely courses and of course enjoy the food, wine and pastas. Bring it on!

[fishfoodie]

Another day, another excruciating Press conference, with Judas, explaining how it wasn't about the thirty pieces of silver.

Phil Mickelson expressed "sympathy" for the families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 terror attacks as he faced another uncomfortable news conference after joining the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour.

The six-time major winner is in Boston this week for the US Open.

A group representing victims' families and survivors has accused Mickelson and other American players of sportswashing and betraying their country.

"I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them," he said.

The 9/11 terror attacks on the United States in 2001 killed almost 3,000 people and according to an FBI declassified document, 15 of the 19 plane hijackers in the attack were Saudi nationals.

A letter criticising the US players who have joined the LIV Golf tour has been written by Terry Strada, the national chair of 911familiesunited.org.

In addition to Mickelson, it was also sent to Kevin Na, who played in last week's first LIV Golf event near London, and Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, who have signed up to play in at least the seven remaining events of 2022.

When questioned about it, a visibly uncomfortable Mickelson said: "I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them.

...

So Phil/Dustin/Kevin/Patrick; if Osama Bin Laden gave you xx Million; would you play golf in his Tournament too ?

I hope the fuckers get booed off the courses in the Majors. Immoral, Money grabbing bastards.

[Insane_Homer]

[Blackmac]

Yep. Not been a great fan of Fitzpatrick but that was an absolutely superb win.

[FalseBayFC]

Another day, another excruciating Press conference, with Judas, explaining how it wasn't about the thirty pieces of silver.

Phil Mickelson expressed "sympathy" for the families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 terror attacks as he faced another uncomfortable news conference after joining the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour.

The six-time major winner is in Boston this week for the US Open.

A group representing victims' families and survivors has accused Mickelson and other American players of sportswashing and betraying their country.

"I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them," he said.

The 9/11 terror attacks on the United States in 2001 killed almost 3,000 people and according to an FBI declassified document, 15 of the 19 plane hijackers in the attack were Saudi nationals.

A letter criticising the US players who have joined the LIV Golf tour has been written by Terry Strada, the national chair of 911familiesunited.org.

In addition to Mickelson, it was also sent to Kevin Na, who played in last week's first LIV Golf event near London, and Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, who have signed up to play in at least the seven remaining events of 2022.

When questioned about it, a visibly uncomfortable Mickelson said: "I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them.

...

So Phil/Dustin/Kevin/Patrick; if Osama Bin Laden gave you xx Million; would you play golf in his Tournament too ?

I hope the fuckers get booed off the courses in the Majors. Immoral, Money grabbing bastards.

Its whataboutism but there has been more deaths and suffering during the building of the Qatar World Cup stadia than 911. Modern day slavery. But there won't be any booing of the footballers there I bet.

[fishfoodie]

Another day, another excruciating Press conference, with Judas, explaining how it wasn't about the thirty pieces of silver.

Phil Mickelson expressed "sympathy" for the families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 terror attacks as he faced another uncomfortable news conference after joining the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour.

The six-time major winner is in Boston this week for the US Open.

A group representing victims' families and survivors has accused Mickelson and other American players of sportswashing and betraying their country.

"I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them," he said.

The 9/11 terror attacks on the United States in 2001 killed almost 3,000 people and according to an FBI declassified document, 15 of the 19 plane hijackers in the attack were Saudi nationals.

A letter criticising the US players who have joined the LIV Golf tour has been written by Terry Strada, the national chair of 911familiesunited.org.

In addition to Mickelson, it was also sent to Kevin Na, who played in last week's first LIV Golf event near London, and Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, who have signed up to play in at least the seven remaining events of 2022.

When questioned about it, a visibly uncomfortable Mickelson said: "I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them.

...

So Phil/Dustin/Kevin/Patrick; if Osama Bin Laden gave you xx Million; would you play golf in his Tournament too ?

I hope the fuckers get booed off the courses in the Majors. Immoral, Money grabbing bastards.

Its whataboutism but there has been more deaths and suffering during the building of the Qatar World Cup stadia than 911. Modern day slavery. But there won't be any booing of the footballers there I bet.

Maybe not, but look at how football fans reacted when the Arabs tried to destroy all existing competitions, & have a dozen or so clubs grab all the money, & shit on centuries of tradition !

[FalseBayFC]

Another day, another excruciating Press conference, with Judas, explaining how it wasn't about the thirty pieces of silver.



So Phil/Dustin/Kevin/Patrick; if Osama Bin Laden gave you xx Million; would you play golf in his Tournament too ?

I hope the fuckers get booed off the courses in the Majors. Immoral, Money grabbing bastards.

Its whataboutism but there has been more deaths and suffering during the building of the Qatar World Cup stadia than 911. Modern day slavery. But there won't be any booing of the footballers there I bet.

Maybe not, but look at how football fans reacted when the Arabs tried to destroy all existing competitions, & have a dozen or so clubs grab all the money, & shit on centuries of tradition !

How long before they get interested in rugby?

[sturginho]

Another day, another excruciating Press conference, with Judas, explaining how it wasn't about the thirty pieces of silver.



So Phil/Dustin/Kevin/Patrick; if Osama Bin Laden gave you xx Million; would you play golf in his Tournament too ?

I hope the fuckers get booed off the courses in the Majors. Immoral, Money grabbing bastards.

Its whataboutism but there has been more deaths and suffering during the building of the Qatar World Cup stadia than 911. Modern day slavery. But there won't be any booing of the footballers there I bet.

Maybe not, but look at how football fans reacted when the Arabs tried to destroy all existing competitions, & have a dozen or so clubs grab all the money, & shit on centuries of tradition !

Sorry, when did "the Arabs" try to do this?

[fishfoodie]

Its whataboutism but there has been more deaths and suffering during the building of the Qatar World Cup stadia than 911. Modern day slavery. But there won't be any booing of the footballers there I bet.

Maybe not, but look at how football fans reacted when the Arabs tried to destroy all existing competitions, & have a dozen or so clubs grab all the money, & shit on centuries of tradition !

Sorry, when did "the Arabs" try to do this?

It was widely reported that JP Morgan was just acting as a front for Saudi money.

https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/super ... -1.5273477

https://www.20minutes.fr/sport/football ... sons-echec

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/20 ... misjudged/

[Grandpa]

Brooks joining the Saudi money train

Daily Mail: Brooks Koepka is QUITTING golf's PGA Tour to join the money-spinning Saudi breakaway LIV Golf Series.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/ ... eries.html

[Biffer]

Brooks joining the Saudi money train

Daily Mail: Brooks Koepka is QUITTING golf's PGA Tour to join the money-spinning Saudi breakaway LIV Golf Series.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/ ... eries.html

It really is all the wankers who are jumping ship, isn’t it?

[dpedin]

Off to France on Thursday for 7 days of golf in what will now look like hot temps, probably too hot for me! This trip has been cancelled 3 times due to covid so desperate to actually get out there, see old friends, play some lovely courses and of course enjoy the food, wine and pastas. Bring it on!

Happy to report a great trip to Le Touquet, France - weather and courses were excellent, food and drink was just brilliant and my golf improved each day. However driving around M25 and on M1 is just a shitshow and the worst of driving experiences. Eurotunnel was good going out but delayed coming back a bit due to rail strike. Courses are all very nice, we played Le Touquet La Foret and La Mer courses, Hardelot Les Dunes and Les Pins, Belle Dunes, Wimereux and St Omer. First couple of days were a tough walk in 30 degree temps but it cooled down and weather was just about perfect apart from 4 holes worth of rain. Anyone thinking of a trip to Le Touquet then I would recommend it - not too expensive and the town has a nice relaxed atmosphere about it with some really good restaurants and nice little bars.

Nearly bumped into President Macron as he was there to vote in elections but for some reason the police wouldn't let us anywhere near him!

Every trip to Le Touquet we always spend 15 mins at the Etaples War Cemetery, its on the way to Hardelot courses, and it just seems right to pay our respects. This trip we stopped off about 10.45 on Sunday morning and it just happened there was a small ceremony for re-inauguration of statue of Earl Haig in Etaples with a representative of every regiment who had servicemen buried there. The note perfect rendition of the Last Post by two buglers whilst I was standing amidst the 1,000s of graves was possibly one of the most moving things I have experienced. Very very humbling indeed.

[Grandpa]

Off to France on Thursday for 7 days of golf in what will now look like hot temps, probably too hot for me! This trip has been cancelled 3 times due to covid so desperate to actually get out there, see old friends, play some lovely courses and of course enjoy the food, wine and pastas. Bring it on!

Happy to report a great trip to Le Touquet, France - weather and courses were excellent, food and drink was just brilliant and my golf improved each day. However driving around M25 and on M1 is just a shitshow and the worst of driving experiences. Eurotunnel was good going out but delayed coming back a bit due to rail strike. Courses are all very nice, we played Le Touquet La Foret and La Mer courses, Hardelot Les Dunes and Les Pins, Belle Dunes, Wimereux and St Omer. First couple of days were a tough walk in 30 degree temps but it cooled down and weather was just about perfect apart from 4 holes worth of rain. Anyone thinking of a trip to Le Touquet then I would recommend it - not too expensive and the town has a nice relaxed atmosphere about it with some really good restaurants and nice little bars.

Nearly bumped into President Macron as he was there to vote in elections but for some reason the police wouldn't let us anywhere near him!

Every trip to Le Touquet we always spend 15 mins at the Etaples War Cemetery, its on the way to Hardelot courses, and it just seems right to pay our respects. This trip we stopped off about 10.45 on Sunday morning and it just happened there was a small ceremony for re-inauguration of statue of Earl Haig in Etaples with a representative of every regiment who had servicemen buried there. The note perfect rendition of the Last Post by two buglers whilst I was standing amidst the 1,000s of graves was possibly one of the most moving things I have experienced. Very very humbling indeed.

That sounds magical. What a bonus to experience that.

With regards Macron, did you remember to shout "four!" When running at him with your 3 wood?

[Biffer]

The golf watching swing of my sporting calendar kicks off next week. Two days at the Scottish Open (Fri/Sat) and then a day at the Open the following week (Thu). Forecast for next week is good, long range for the following week ok too. And shouldn't be a problem with the trains - two weeks notice needed of a strike date in the UK.

[Biffer]

Poulter takes legal action to play at the Scottish Open, turns up and shoots eight over for a tie of 154th place

Needs to remember he doesn’t get paid for just turning up here.

[Blackmac]

Poulter takes legal action to play at the Scottish Open, turns up and shoots eight over for a tie of 154th place

Needs to remember he doesn’t get paid for just turning up here.

Yep, at least McDowall had the decency to say that he wasn't prepared to take legal action to play in a tournament that didn't want him. Poulter really has got a complete lack of awareness.

[Blackmac]

I see Poulter even had the nerve to turn up with a LIV golf logo on his shirt and Justin Harding is moaning that the LIV golfers are being shunned.

[FalseBayFC]

I know there are many sides to the LIV controversy, but what seems to be the issue with appearance money? Surely in just about every other pro sport the losers get paid too. I can think of athletics, surfing, tennis maybe snooker where they don't. But surely the PGA which is incredibly rich could afford to ensure that the field that misses the cut or ends up outside the prizes gets their expenses paid.

[Blackmac]

I know there are many sides to the LIV controversy, but what seems to be the issue with appearance money? Surely in just about every other pro sport the losers get paid too. I can think of athletics, surfing, tennis maybe snooker where they don't. But surely the PGA which is incredibly rich could afford to ensure that the field that misses the cut or ends up outside the prizes gets their expenses paid.

I think it was a rarity and only taken advantage off by a few. Plus it wasn't enough to disincentivise players from actually trying to win the tournament. It's the fact that the players are getting so much appearance money that the tournaments are no more than exhibitions that rankles. That and the ultimate outcome being the destruction of the vast majority of pro golf if it is successful.

I have to agree with the last part, I think, given how much money they are making from the tournament they should be at least covering some of the expenses.
If you ask me, golf tournaments have been taking the piss for years. That fact that many still take advantage of the good will of volunteers is a joke when you consider the amount of money getting thrown around.

[dpedin]

I see Poulter even had the nerve to turn up with a LIV golf logo on his shirt and Justin Harding is moaning that the LIV golfers are being shunned.

I heard Poulter say a main reason for joining LIV was so he could spend more time with his family ... then he takes legal action to try and remain a member of the official tours which involve playing more golf! I would have more respect for these guys if they just came out and said that they were happy to play LIV for the shedloads of cash, particularly, as Poulter for example, is very unlikely to win another main Tour event again. Mickelson may need the. cash to pay off gambling debts, McDowall might need to prop up his pension pot? However I'm still not sure how the can ignore the blood stains on the banknotes and that they may destroy a Tour which many of their younger or less succesful colleagues depend on for income.

[Slick]

Poulter takes legal action to play at the Scottish Open, turns up and shoots eight over for a tie of 154th place

Needs to remember he doesn’t get paid for just turning up here.

Did any of the LIV guys get stick from the crowd?

[dpedin]

Amazing how a bit of wind and a hard and fast semi-links course has destroyed some folks game today at the Scottish Open. Watching on tv I couldn't believe some of the shots these guys were trying to play despite the conditions. Keeping the ball close to the ground, using the putter when you can, knocking it in short and letting it run up, etc are all required but some of these guys couldn't do it. Its almost like they didn't know how to play the conditions! However the forecast is more benign for the next couple of days.

Hope the wind blows at St Andrews next week, looks like there will be a breeze.

[Blackmac]

Loving Max Homa's stuff about his first visit to Scotland. A local caddy told him to hit the perfect shot to the perfect spot on the fairway and then pray for a bit of luck.

[Biffer]

Amazing how a bit of wind and a hard and fast semi-links course has destroyed some folks game today at the Scottish Open. Watching on tv I couldn't believe some of the shots these guys were trying to play despite the conditions. Keeping the ball close to the ground, using the putter when you can, knocking it in short and letting it run up, etc are all required but some of these guys couldn't do it. Its almost like they didn't know how to play the conditions! However the forecast is more benign for the next couple of days.

Hope the wind blows at St Andrews next week, looks like there will be a breeze.

That’s what the PGA tour does to you. Target golf only, no thinking your way around the course.

Wind was low this morning but seems to be getting up a bit more now thankfully. If it hadn’t there would be a lot of low scores, but hopefully we won’t see much better than what’s on the leaderboard atm.

[Biffer]

I'm expecting another good low round late today. Wind due to drop and there are showers around which will slow the greens. Could be set up for Spieth, Rahm, Reed etc to get below 65