The Official NPR Golf Thread

[Jim Lahey]

My exception with golfers, and most pro athletes, is that I don't believe there is an ounce of sincerity in them. They do things to earn more money (like we all do in our jobs).

Footballers and football fans understand this. Benzema and CR7 going to Saudi wasn't met with mass moral outrage, nor was Iniesta or Xavi going to the Middle East. Messi and Neymar both took the petrodollar by going to PSG, playing in a shit league but on big money. Football just gets on with it, confident in the fact that another generation of superstars will make their way through the establishment before taking the brown envelopes. Even the pre-Qatari World Cup human rights hysteria was quickly forgotten about once the football began. It was a cracking tournament on the pitch, shocking initial decision to hold it there in the first place tbf, but spectators quickly forget and adapt. The same will happen with golf.

Rory taking a stand against the Saudis was good PR for Brand Rory. He already makes a ton of money and was philosopher king designate of mainstream golf as a result, and probably garnered a reasonable amount of sponsorship for his good deeds, ontop of his general tournament earnings.

I think to put yourself on a moral high ground because of your decision when others decided to cash-in to the highest bidder, and then do your upmost to bring down the highest bidder, is a bit wankerish. If you and your work colleague get courted by a flashy new company that offers bigger salaries, your mate bites and you don't because you don't like the new company's industry/background, then a reasonable person makes peace with their decision and doesn't publically lambast their ex colleague for their decision imo. Whenever the new company starts poaching a decent proportion of the talent, then you either go with the tide, keep doing your thing regardless (albeit in a smaller pool), or do something else. But to bitch and whinge because the tide is going in a different direction to what you want isn't a good look.

I know the Saudis are wankers, everyone does tbf. But he was never going to stop them. Footy, which is a much bigger sport that means a hell of a lot more, to more people, couldn't keep the oil barons out. What exactly did the golfers think that they could achieve in a much more niche sport? Money will always be king in pro sport.

Does my mate's new company torture and assassinate people?

Hopefully not.

If we are going to blur the lines between politics and sport then you go down a very sketchy path.

Look we all give the Saudis our money when we fill up our cars, travel on planes, buy plastic shit etc., so lets not grandstand when some golfers siphon some money back from them. This whole "they are corrupt and kill people" shit is a bit shrill. The US government tortures and kills plenty of folk, and invades countries from time to time, or strangles the economies of others that it doesn't like with sanctions. The Brits, the EU as well.

I can see the argument against all this as it is uprooting the establishment of golf, rightly or wrongly. I don't get the argument that because the money is coming from Saudi that the whole concept is evil.

[Biffer]

Jim loves false equivalence

[Jim Lahey]

Jim loves false equivalence

Kinda like equating the funding of a golf tour and supporting a corrupt and backward political regime eh?

Cause I guess thats what those pesky LIV golfers are doing . . . And even Rory now, based on his interview yesterday.

[Biffer]

Jim loves false equivalence

Kinda like equating the funding of a golf tour and supporting a corrupt and backward political regime eh?

Cause I guess thats what those pesky LIV golfers are doing . . . And even Rory now, based on his interview yesterday.

When the funding is coming directly from that regime it's not.

You don't understand what a false equivalence is, do you Jim?

[Jim Lahey]

Listen I enjoy sport and hate when politics and politically motvated people try and weaponise it to suppport their views, even if I support their views (which I do in this case, Saudi is fucked). But the enjoyment of sport in my eyes doesn't have to cause any guilt, even if the money for the participants come from a pack of kuntz like the Saudis, banks, gambling companies etc., frankly I don't care. That is my moral stance anyway, take it or leave it.

In hindsight I should not have weighed into this debate and I have no interest in continuing it.

As you were gents

[fishfoodie]

I blame double-agent McIlroy !


... it's pretty clear now he can't string together 4 days of golf, so he secretly wants the PGA to adopt the LIV 54 hole abortion

[Blackmac]

I blame double-agent McIlroy !


... it's pretty clear now he can't string together 4 days of golf, so he secretly wants the PGA to adopt the LIV 54 hole abortion

Butch Harmon said about three years ago that Rory would never win another major as there are just two many flaws in his game for them to regularly come together at the right time. It sounded nonsense at the time given how often he was winning regular events, but it is becoming more and more concerning how poorly he plays under pressure.

[fishfoodie]

I blame double-agent McIlroy !


... it's pretty clear now he can't string together 4 days of golf, so he secretly wants the PGA to adopt the LIV 54 hole abortion

Butch Harmon said about three years ago that Rory would never win another major as there are just two many flaws in his game for them to regularly come together at the right time. It sounded nonsense at the time given how often he was winning regular events, but it is becoming more and more concerning how poorly he plays under pressure.

the bit that pisses me off is that you know, & I know that there is a switch in his head that just needs a 1 hour session with some, as yet unidentified coach, to flip him from zero, to Hero !!

We know he has the game, but he just turns to a Blancmange on at least one day in a Tournament.

Anyway, fingers crossed for Tommy

[Enzedder]

Hard day at the office today (not sure if this will work though)



Yay - it does. No follow through but considering I have more iron in my back than a pitching wedge, I'll take it every day and twice on Sundays.

[dpedin]

I blame double-agent McIlroy !


... it's pretty clear now he can't string together 4 days of golf, so he secretly wants the PGA to adopt the LIV 54 hole abortion

Butch Harmon said about three years ago that Rory would never win another major as there are just two many flaws in his game for them to regularly come together at the right time. It sounded nonsense at the time given how often he was winning regular events, but it is becoming more and more concerning how poorly he plays under pressure.

the bit that pisses me off is that you know, & I know that there is a switch in his head that just needs a 1 hour session with some, as yet unidentified coach, to flip him from zero, to Hero !!

We know he has the game, but he just turns to a Blancmange on at least one day in a Tournament.

Anyway, fingers crossed for Tommy

I dont get all the criticism thrown Rory's way. Sure he can be very frustrating at times but he is actually very very consistent - currently 9th in Fedex points, 6th on PGA money list and sitting 3rd in world rankings. Rahm, Scheffler and Hovland have all had a hot streak recently and are ahead of him, he hasn't had his streak yet. He has won twice this season and had numerous top tens. However he has missed cuts in Masters and Sawgrass which probably what most folk are referring to. However he has been in the World top 10 every year since 2010 which is pretty consistent by any measure. We seem to forget of all those bright new young things who have appeared won a few times then sunk back into the pack and out of the Top 10. I agree he seems to have a mental block with the Masters but I am pretty sure he will click one year soon.

[Jim Lahey]

I think the issue with Rory is the amount of media attention he gets before and during tournaments.

Yesterday BBC's golf headline was "McIlroy tied 2nd going into the final round of Canadian Open." Yes he's from the UK (oh, er, controversial . . . ) but more often than not he is always making headlines or in the focus players when it comes to BBC's coverage of golf.

As mentioned in the previous post, he's in the World Top 10 so a fair amount of attention is justified. But I think the lack of a British/Irish genuine superstar that is on a hot streak of big wins means that the media need to shine the spotlight on him. Look at the amount of media attention that Emma Raducanu gets, being young and having won a big tournament. I'm not a tennis affectionado but hasn't she been shit since winning the US Open, but yet grabs all British headlines in comparison to her peers?

And as Rory hasn't been great in the last number of majors so people are giving him shit for shitting the bed again and again.

The media attention isn't something he can control tbf so I have some sympathy with him in that regard. Just wish he'd get over the line with 4 good rounds in a row, rather than his usual 3!

[Biffer]

It's been very little reported, but Greg Norman wasn't involved in the partnership either - he found out when it was announced, same as the players. Kind of suggests that now the Saudis have got what they wanted, LIV can go and get fucked.

[Blackmac]

Butch Harmon said about three years ago that Rory would never win another major as there are just two many flaws in his game for them to regularly come together at the right time. It sounded nonsense at the time given how often he was winning regular events, but it is becoming more and more concerning how poorly he plays under pressure.

the bit that pisses me off is that you know, & I know that there is a switch in his head that just needs a 1 hour session with some, as yet unidentified coach, to flip him from zero, to Hero !!

We know he has the game, but he just turns to a Blancmange on at least one day in a Tournament.

Anyway, fingers crossed for Tommy

I dont get all the criticism thrown Rory's way. Sure he can be very frustrating at times but he is actually very very consistent - currently 9th in Fedex points, 6th on PGA money list and sitting 3rd in world rankings. Rahm, Scheffler and Hovland have all had a hot streak recently and are ahead of him, he hasn't had his streak yet. He has won twice this season and had numerous top tens. However he has missed cuts in Masters and Sawgrass which probably what most folk are referring to. However he has been in the World top 10 every year since 2010 which is pretty consistent by any measure. We seem to forget of all those bright new young things who have appeared won a few times then sunk back into the pack and out of the Top 10. I agree he seems to have a mental block with the Masters but I am pretty sure he will click one year soon.

I'm not convinced Rory would see it like that. I agree with regards to the longevity of his career and consistency of form but there is not doubt he has a significant problem converting opportunities. It's not often that he is getting pipped at the post by a great last round, its more that he just fades away and doesn't even challenge.

[Biffer]

I think the issue with Rory is the amount of media attention he gets before and during tournaments.

Yesterday BBC's golf headline was "McIlroy tied 2nd going into the final round of Canadian Open." Yes he's from the UK (oh, er, controversial . . . ) but more often than not he is always making headlines or in the focus players when it comes to BBC's coverage of golf.

As mentioned in the previous post, he's in the World Top 10 so a fair amount of attention is justified. But I think the lack of a British/Irish genuine superstar that is on a hot streak of big wins means that the media need to shine the spotlight on him. Look at the amount of media attention that Emma Raducanu gets, being young and having won a big tournament. I'm not a tennis affectionado but hasn't she been shit since winning the US Open, but yet grabs all British headlines in comparison to her peers?

And as Rory hasn't been great in the last number of majors so people are giving him shit for shitting the bed again and again.

The media attention isn't something he can control tbf so I have some sympathy with him in that regard. Just wish he'd get over the line with 4 good rounds in a row, rather than his usual 3!

He’s been top ten in five of the last six majors.

[Jim Lahey]

I think the issue with Rory is the amount of media attention he gets before and during tournaments.

Yesterday BBC's golf headline was "McIlroy tied 2nd going into the final round of Canadian Open." Yes he's from the UK (oh, er, controversial . . . ) but more often than not he is always making headlines or in the focus players when it comes to BBC's coverage of golf.

As mentioned in the previous post, he's in the World Top 10 so a fair amount of attention is justified. But I think the lack of a British/Irish genuine superstar that is on a hot streak of big wins means that the media need to shine the spotlight on him. Look at the amount of media attention that Emma Raducanu gets, being young and having won a big tournament. I'm not a tennis affectionado but hasn't she been shit since winning the US Open, but yet grabs all British headlines in comparison to her peers?

And as Rory hasn't been great in the last number of majors so people are giving him shit for shitting the bed again and again.

The media attention isn't something he can control tbf so I have some sympathy with him in that regard. Just wish he'd get over the line with 4 good rounds in a row, rather than his usual 3!

He’s been top ten in five of the last six majors.

Fair point but who's going to remember that in 15 years' time?

His fans want to see him win major trophies, and he hasn't, in a very long time, despite the media hype before every major. Hence the frustration with him.

[dpedin]

I think the issue with Rory is the amount of media attention he gets before and during tournaments.

Yesterday BBC's golf headline was "McIlroy tied 2nd going into the final round of Canadian Open." Yes he's from the UK (oh, er, controversial . . . ) but more often than not he is always making headlines or in the focus players when it comes to BBC's coverage of golf.

As mentioned in the previous post, he's in the World Top 10 so a fair amount of attention is justified. But I think the lack of a British/Irish genuine superstar that is on a hot streak of big wins means that the media need to shine the spotlight on him. Look at the amount of media attention that Emma Raducanu gets, being young and having won a big tournament. I'm not a tennis affectionado but hasn't she been shit since winning the US Open, but yet grabs all British headlines in comparison to her peers?

And as Rory hasn't been great in the last number of majors so people are giving him shit for shitting the bed again and again.

The media attention isn't something he can control tbf so I have some sympathy with him in that regard. Just wish he'd get over the line with 4 good rounds in a row, rather than his usual 3!

He’s been top ten in five of the last six majors.

Fair point but who's going to remember that in 15 years' time?

His fans want to see him win major trophies, and he hasn't, in a very long time, despite the media hype before every major. Hence the frustration with him.

As a golfer, not a very good golfer, I know how hard it is to try and win any competition and to do so consistently. I find it hard to be consistent one day to the next - Rory has done it for over 10 years. He is playing against the very very best every week and it is usually someone on a hot streak who wins in front of him. Many pros never win a tournament in their entire career let alone get close to a major. Of course his fans want to see him win a major every year but that is incredibly difficult apart for the likes of Tiger. Rory is frustrating because he has a real talent and at times we all feel he doesnt make the most of it but the US College circuit is now churning out young guys every year now who are as fit as butchers dog, can hit it miles and are really well coached, the standard nowadays is just so much higher then even in Tigers early career. The likes of Speith, Morikawa, Hovland, Scheffler, etc have all hit the pro Tour and won big quickly. For Rory to be competing week in and week out and rarely miss a cut is an achievement in itself, to win Tournaments every year is an even bigger one. To have won 32 Tournaments including 4 majors so far isn't to be sniffed at. Hopefully he will win another major soon.

[Kawazaki]

As a golfer, not a very good golfer, I know how hard it is to try and win any competition and to do so consistently. I find it hard to be consistent one day to the next - Rory has done it for over 10 years. He is playing against the very very best every week and it is usually someone on a hot streak who wins in front of him. Many pros never win a tournament in their entire career let alone get close to a major. Of course his fans want to see him win a major every year but that is incredibly difficult apart for the likes of Tiger. Rory is frustrating because he has a real talent and at times we all feel he doesnt make the most of it but the US College circuit is now churning out young guys every year now who are as fit as butchers dog, can hit it miles and are really well coached, the standard nowadays is just so much higher then even in Tigers early career. The likes of Speith, Morikawa, Hovland, Scheffler, etc have all hit the pro Tour and won big quickly. For Rory to be competing week in and week out and rarely miss a cut is an achievement in itself, to win Tournaments every year is an even bigger one. To have won 32 Tournaments including 4 majors so far isn't to be sniffed at. Hopefully he will win another major soon.

McIlroy is 34 years old. He won all his four majors in a three year window that began 12 years ago.

No win in his last 37 majors. He's a very very good golfer but he can't be considered in the highest echelon because his mental game is so flaky. Scheffler has nowhere near the talent McIlroy has but nobody would bet against him getting more than four majors or that he'll go the next 37 without winning another one.

[fishfoodie]

Under-fire PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has handed over day-to-day control to two of his top executives while he is "recuperating from a medical situation", the Tour announced.

A joint statement from Monahan and the Tour's policy board read: "The board fully supports Jay and appreciates everyone respecting his privacy.

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/121 ... -situation

Poor fella probably got a hernia when he picked up the massive bribe the murdering bastards gave him.

[dpedin]

US Open should be fun! Interesting course, PGA v LIV tensions, pressure on Rory, Hatton back to his usual potty mouth best, US golfers looking to invest in Leeds Utd, Michelson teeing it up with Harrington, Rory teeing it up with Keopka, current US Open Champ teeing it up with current UK Open Champ, etc. Looking forward to it!

PS Schauffele for me!

[dpedin]

Played today in glorious sun ... again! My course in great nick but playing more like a links course than a parkland course. Could do with a wee bit of rain to green up again. Actually played some of my best golf of the season and after a dodgy 41 on front 9 came back in 2 over par both dropped shots due to 3 putts on fast greens. Playing first medal for a while on Sunday then off to Kilspindie on Tuesday, should be fun and interesting to see how brown it is. Retirement is good!

[Biffer]

Got to be looking to Schauffle from the current situation

[Blackmac]

Generally always root for a European but i would love to see Fowler bag this.

[Jim Lahey]

I think McIlroy will fall over the line this time

For his own sake I hope so too. He really needs a major win after such a barren spell.

[fishfoodie]

Kudos to the USPGA for the shotcast website for the US Open !

Real shot by shot detail, & automatically updating; very nice option I'd like to see for every Major

[Jim Lahey]

Wheels still very much on the wagon for Rory after 2.
Some great long range putting so far.

[fishfoodie]

Wheels still very much on the wagon for Rory after 2.
Some great long range putting so far.

If he can get thru that 1st nine holes below par, you can see that spring returning to his step, & then it's definately on

[Biffer]

McIlroy couldn’t buy a putt yesterday.

Lowest four round total ever in the US Open without winning. It’ll come soon enough.

[Jim Lahey]

McIlroy couldn’t buy a putt yesterday.

Lowest four round total ever in the US Open without winning. It’ll come soon enough.

I mustve put the kiss of death on him. He was looking confident enough on the first 5 or 6 greens before I called it a night.

Fowler was having a stinker when I left, seems it didn't get much better for him!

[freddie]

Hopefully he sticks to this more conservative game plan. Didn't work out for him this time but he was very close.

[dpedin]

Playing in medal at 12.45 at home course here in Embra. Questions - how many holes will I play before being soaked in a thunderstorm? Will the lightning warning go off and play is abandoned? Should I just stay at home and be a wimp? What's the chances I get around the course with no rain?

[Blackmac]

Playing in medal at 12.45 at home course here in Embra. Questions - how many holes will I play before being soaked in a thunderstorm? Will the lightning warning go off and play is abandoned? Should I just stay at home and be a wimp? What's the chances I get around the course with no rain?

Zero. Absolutely bizarre weather. Some of the squals blowing through are incredible.

[dpedin]

Playing in medal at 12.45 at home course here in Embra. Questions - how many holes will I play before being soaked in a thunderstorm? Will the lightning warning go off and play is abandoned? Should I just stay at home and be a wimp? What's the chances I get around the course with no rain?

Zero. Absolutely bizarre weather. Some of the squals blowing through are incredible.

Surprisingly walked off 18th dry just as the heavy rain started! However played my worst round of the year - I was ok off the tee but my short game and putting was just awful. I must have lipped out 8-9 times. Need to do better on Wednesday medal as I have a good score dropping off my handicap.

[Biffer]

Long weekend of golf watching started yesterday. Going to all four days of the Scottish Open. Quite a nice day yesterday, a few spots of rain, but it looks like it'll be a fair bit more miserable today. Some high quality golf on display as well. I'm going to be knackered by the end of this.

[dpedin]

Long weekend of golf watching started yesterday. Going to all four days of the Scottish Open. Quite a nice day yesterday, a few spots of rain, but it looks like it'll be a fair bit more miserable today. Some high quality golf on display as well. I'm going to be knackered by the end of this.

Looked fantastic on telly yesterday. Course was there for the taking, I would love to see a bit more of a breeze, it's never that calm when I play Kilspindie, Gullane or Dunbar just along the road. Enjoy!

[Biffer]

Long weekend of golf watching started yesterday. Going to all four days of the Scottish Open. Quite a nice day yesterday, a few spots of rain, but it looks like it'll be a fair bit more miserable today. Some high quality golf on display as well. I'm going to be knackered by the end of this.

Looked fantastic on telly yesterday. Course was there for the taking, I would love to see a bit more of a breeze, it's never that calm when I play Kilspindie, Gullane or Dunbar just along the road. Enjoy!

Conditions are beautiful this morning, surprisingly. Dead calm, rain stopped but the greens are damp and receptive. Someone might rip it up - Homa, Scheffler, Hatton seem. To be doing so atm

[Blackmac]

Long weekend of golf watching started yesterday. Going to all four days of the Scottish Open. Quite a nice day yesterday, a few spots of rain, but it looks like it'll be a fair bit more miserable today. Some high quality golf on display as well. I'm going to be knackered by the end of this.

That's hardcore golf watching. Never done more than one day and that's hard enough. Enjoy.

[Biffer]

Long weekend of golf watching started yesterday. Going to all four days of the Scottish Open. Quite a nice day yesterday, a few spots of rain, but it looks like it'll be a fair bit more miserable today. Some high quality golf on display as well. I'm going to be knackered by the end of this.

That's hardcore golf watching. Never done more than one day and that's hard enough. Enjoy.

When you do multiple days there no pressure to see all the players, all the golf course etc. And you don't feel guilty or that you're missing out about spending an afternoon in the village.

[Biffer]

Fucked around with the tee of times today, because they were worried about thunderstorms in the afternoon. It's now half four and I'm sitting outside the old clubhouse in Gullane, hasn't been a hint of it.

But they haven't learned, and tomorrow they've rescheduled all the tee times starting before 7am,so it will all be finished by about one pm. First train from Edinburgh will get you to the course for about 1015. Fuckin nonsense.

[TedMaul]

Fucked around with the tee of times today, because they were worried about thunderstorms in the afternoon. It's now half four and I'm sitting outside the old clubhouse in Gullane, hasn't been a hint of it.

But they haven't learned, and tomorrow they've rescheduled all the tee times starting before 7am,so it will all be finished by about one pm. First train from Edinburgh will get you to the course for about 1015. Fuckin nonsense.

Good old Gav will be at the Badger

[Biffer]

Fucked around with the tee of times today, because they were worried about thunderstorms in the afternoon. It's now half four and I'm sitting outside the old clubhouse in Gullane, hasn't been a hint of it.

But they haven't learned, and tomorrow they've rescheduled all the tee times starting before 7am,so it will all be finished by about one pm. First train from Edinburgh will get you to the course for about 1015. Fuckin nonsense.

Good old Gav will be at the Badger

I was, didn’t see him.