The Official NPR Golf Thread

[dpedin]

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.

Played medal (badly) at my course in Embra this afternoon - nice weather, a bit breezy but warm and only a very brief light sprinkling of rain for 2mins. Forecast for tomorrow is even better. I am not sure which forecast these guys are looking at - Met Office forecast was spot on today and says it will be fine tomorrow. Not sure why they are moving the tee times around, not required!

[Blackmac]

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.

Played medal (badly) at my course in Embra this afternoon - nice weather, a bit breezy but warm and only a very brief light sprinkling of rain for 2mins. Forecast for tomorrow is even better. I am not sure which forecast these guys are looking at - Met Office forecast was spot on today and says it will be fine tomorrow. Not sure why they are moving the tee times around, not required!

It's an absolute joke. Making a mockery of the tournament and not a care shown for the fans who have paid good money. There was no way todays forecast justified what happened and Sunday is the same but even more so.

[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.

Played medal (badly) at my course in Embra this afternoon - nice weather, a bit breezy but warm and only a very brief light sprinkling of rain for 2mins. Forecast for tomorrow is even better. I am not sure which forecast these guys are looking at - Met Office forecast was spot on today and says it will be fine tomorrow. Not sure why they are moving the tee times around, not required!

It's an absolute joke. Making a mockery of the tournament and not a care shown for the fans who have paid good money. There was no way todays forecast justified what happened and Sunday is the same but even more so.

Yeah, I bought the full week ticket but I’m not going out today. First train from Edinburgh is 0937, which will get you to the course 1020/1030. By that time the last groups will have played 6 holes, and the guys who went out first thing will be nearly finishing up. Doesn’t seem worth it.

[Tichtheid]

I looked up the Scottish Open and I saw that it was being played at The Renaissance Club, which I'd never heard of, seemingly it's a new(ish) course built adjacent to Muirfield, at least that's what Google tells me. It seems to be linked to Archerfield, which is a gated community of million pound plus houses.

There was another new course built near Whitekirk, a stone's throw from North Berwick, but last time I drove past that seemed to have been closed down - saturation point for golf courses in East Lothian perhaps.

[Biffer]

I looked up the Scottish Open and I saw that it was being played at The Renaissance Club, which I'd never heard of, seemingly it's a new(ish) course built adjacent to Muirfield, at least that's what Google tells me. It seems to be linked to Archerfield, which is a gated community of million pound plus houses.

There was another new course built near Whitekirk, a stone's throw from North Berwick, but last time I drove past that seemed to have been closed down - saturation point for golf courses in East Lothian perhaps.

The Renaissance has been there about twenty years I think, but it’s very much for the super rich. It’s being held there until at least 2026, which is great living in Edinburgh, easy to get to, world class field, nowhere near as busy as the open, course is set up pretty well for spectators now.

Don’t know why the course at Whitekirk Hill didn’t work. I think it might be because tourists are looking for links golf when they come to East Lothian, and expect the course to be on the coast for that. All of the courses along that way seem to be doing well - Renaissance, Archerfield, Muirfield, Gullane, Luffness, Craigiehill, Aberlady, North Berwick etc all seem to be in good health and the tourist promotion of East Lothian as The Golf Coast seems to have struck a chord. This tournament is a real exposure of that to rich Americans.

Edit - just checked, it opened in 2008 so 15 years not twenty.

[Blackmac]

I looked up the Scottish Open and I saw that it was being played at The Renaissance Club, which I'd never heard of, seemingly it's a new(ish) course built adjacent to Muirfield, at least that's what Google tells me. It seems to be linked to Archerfield, which is a gated community of million pound plus houses.

There was another new course built near Whitekirk, a stone's throw from North Berwick, but last time I drove past that seemed to have been closed down - saturation point for golf courses in East Lothian perhaps.

Sadly Whitekirk closed which was a great shame as it was an excellent course. The Renaissance is disgracefully exclusive. Less than 300 members, very few of which live locally. One of my customers is a member and it is £14000 a year for him and his wife. I actually object to these places being given planning permission when they are purely for the super rich.

As to the Scottish Open, it's an embarrassment. My mate played Gullane yesterday afternoon in perfect Scottish golfing conditions and the forecast today is much the same. Ruining the tournament for the fans because of 20 to 25mph winds is a disgrace and I bet a lot of the golfers agree.

[Tichtheid]

I looked up the Scottish Open and I saw that it was being played at The Renaissance Club, which I'd never heard of, seemingly it's a new(ish) course built adjacent to Muirfield, at least that's what Google tells me. It seems to be linked to Archerfield, which is a gated community of million pound plus houses.

There was another new course built near Whitekirk, a stone's throw from North Berwick, but last time I drove past that seemed to have been closed down - saturation point for golf courses in East Lothian perhaps.

Sadly Whitekirk closed which was a great shame as it was an excellent course. The Renaissance is disgracefully exclusive. Less than 300 members, very few of which live locally. One of my customers is a member and it is £14000 a year for him and his wife. I actually object to these places being given planning permission when they are purely for the super rich.

As to the Scottish Open, it's an embarrassment. My mate played Gullane yesterday afternoon in perfect Scottish golfing conditions and the forecast today is much the same. Ruining the tournament for the fans because of 20 to 25mph winds is a disgrace and I bet a lot of the golfers agree.

As a junior member at Dunbar for a good few years, I doubt I played many rounds in less than a 20 - 25 mph wind, it's err, par for the course in East Lothian.


Re the £14K membership at the Renaissance, Winterfield, which used to be the municipal course at Dunbar (don't know if it still is), has annual membership of £140, it's free for under 18s. East Links at Dunbar was about three hundred and odd quid the last time I looked, plus a sub for the new course extension they are planning on building

[dpedin]

I looked up the Scottish Open and I saw that it was being played at The Renaissance Club, which I'd never heard of, seemingly it's a new(ish) course built adjacent to Muirfield, at least that's what Google tells me. It seems to be linked to Archerfield, which is a gated community of million pound plus houses.

There was another new course built near Whitekirk, a stone's throw from North Berwick, but last time I drove past that seemed to have been closed down - saturation point for golf courses in East Lothian perhaps.

Sadly Whitekirk closed which was a great shame as it was an excellent course. The Renaissance is disgracefully exclusive. Less than 300 members, very few of which live locally. One of my customers is a member and it is £14000 a year for him and his wife. I actually object to these places being given planning permission when they are purely for the super rich.

As to the Scottish Open, it's an embarrassment. My mate played Gullane yesterday afternoon in perfect Scottish golfing conditions and the forecast today is much the same. Ruining the tournament for the fans because of 20 to 25mph winds is a disgrace and I bet a lot of the golfers agree.

As a junior member at Dunbar for a good few years, I doubt I played many rounds in less than a 20 - 25 mph wind, it's err, par for the course in East Lothian.


Re the £14K membership at the Renaissance, Winterfield, which used to be the municipal course at Dunbar (don't know if it still is), has annual membership of £140, it's free for under 18s. East Links at Dunbar was about three hundred and odd quid the last time I looked, plus a sub for the new course extension they are planning on building

I've played Renaissance and wasn't that impressed with the course. I think the debenture is about £125k plus your annual subs. It is really an American course plonked onto beautiful links land - designed for the overweight rich American members who are shit golfers to play riding buggies. Clubhouse doesnt feel like a golf club at all, just too posh and American style country club feel, soulless. It is all about money and showing off - bag drop boys to clean and load your clubs, golf shoe cleaning, practice range using new Titliest Pro V golf balls which were better than the balls I was going to play with! You also need to play with caddies or a forecaddy, I presume to keep the pace of play going given the speed Americans play at normally. The course doesn't rank in my top 10 in East Lothian area let alone Scotland. It hasn't any connections with Archerfield which is across the road that I am aware of, Archerfield is also for the rich and well heeled. I've played both Archerfield courses there and they are better links style courses than Renaissance. Clubhouse is better but still a bit too posh and snobby. I would rather play Dunbar, Gullane 1 and 2, Luffness (snobby), Muirfield (even snobbier), Kilspindie, Goswick, North Berwick, Glen, Craigielaw, etc. Proper old style links courses.

Unfortunately membership for almost all the courses down East Lothian are closed, the post pandemic rush to play golf has meant all the clubs are full. Annual subscriptions range from £650 to c£1500 plus joining on fees which are usually 2 x annual subs. So to join would be a minimum of £2k for first year.

I was playing Kilspindie last week and there was 2 American visitors playing in front of us, neither of whom had played it before. It was breezy but nothing too bad. For 18 holes they were all over the place including in the sea on the 3rd and 4th holes. Couldn't play in the wind, couldn't play the ball low and they found the bunkers impossible! They also loved the golf course and loved the views and said they now realised what real golf was all about.

[Tichtheid]

Sadly Whitekirk closed which was a great shame as it was an excellent course. The Renaissance is disgracefully exclusive. Less than 300 members, very few of which live locally. One of my customers is a member and it is £14000 a year for him and his wife. I actually object to these places being given planning permission when they are purely for the super rich.

As to the Scottish Open, it's an embarrassment. My mate played Gullane yesterday afternoon in perfect Scottish golfing conditions and the forecast today is much the same. Ruining the tournament for the fans because of 20 to 25mph winds is a disgrace and I bet a lot of the golfers agree.

As a junior member at Dunbar for a good few years, I doubt I played many rounds in less than a 20 - 25 mph wind, it's err, par for the course in East Lothian.


Re the £14K membership at the Renaissance, Winterfield, which used to be the municipal course at Dunbar (don't know if it still is), has annual membership of £140, it's free for under 18s. East Links at Dunbar was about three hundred and odd quid the last time I looked, plus a sub for the new course extension they are planning on building

I've played Renaissance and wasn't that impressed with the course. I think the debenture is about £125k plus your annual subs. It is really an American course plonked onto beautiful links land - designed for the overweight rich American members who are shit golfers to play riding buggies. Clubhouse doesnt feel like a golf club at all, just too posh and American style country club feel, soulless. It is all about money and showing off - bag drop boys to clean and load your clubs, golf shoe cleaning, practice range using new Titliest Pro V golf balls which were better than the balls I was going to play with! You also need to play with caddies or a forecaddy, I presume to keep the pace of play going given the speed Americans play at normally. The course doesn't rank in my top 10 in East Lothian area let alone Scotland. It hasn't any connections with Archerfield which is across the road that I am aware of, Archerfield is also for the rich and well heeled. I've played both Archerfield courses there and they are better links style courses than Renaissance. Clubhouse is better but still a bit too posh and snobby. I would rather play Dunbar, Gullane 1 and 2, Luffness (snobby), Muirfield (even snobbier), Kilspindie, Goswick, North Berwick, Glen, Craigielaw, etc. Proper old style links courses.

Unfortunately membership for almost all the courses down East Lothian are closed, the post pandemic rush to play golf has meant all the clubs are full. Annual subscriptions range from £650 to c£1500 plus joining on fees which are usually 2 x annual subs. So to join would be a minimum of £2k for first year.

I was playing Kilspindie last week and there was 2 American visitors playing in front of us, neither of whom had played it before. It was breezy but nothing too bad. For 18 holes they were all over the place including in the sea on the 3rd and 4th holes. Couldn't play in the wind, couldn't play the ball low and they found the bunkers impossible! They also loved the golf course and loved the views and said they now realised what real golf was all about.

Yeah, I confused two or more things when I was looking at the map - because I don't play golf anymore I saw the name Archerfield and linked it with houses that I've seen on the first page of Rightmove when I've been looking for a place in East Lothian. There was an estate of very expensive houses built, possibly around the same time as the golf course, that carries the name Archerfield, I think it's called The Village Archerfield.

[Blackmac]

As a junior member at Dunbar for a good few years, I doubt I played many rounds in less than a 20 - 25 mph wind, it's err, par for the course in East Lothian.


Re the £14K membership at the Renaissance, Winterfield, which used to be the municipal course at Dunbar (don't know if it still is), has annual membership of £140, it's free for under 18s. East Links at Dunbar was about three hundred and odd quid the last time I looked, plus a sub for the new course extension they are planning on building

I've played Renaissance and wasn't that impressed with the course. I think the debenture is about £125k plus your annual subs. It is really an American course plonked onto beautiful links land - designed for the overweight rich American members who are shit golfers to play riding buggies. Clubhouse doesnt feel like a golf club at all, just too posh and American style country club feel, soulless. It is all about money and showing off - bag drop boys to clean and load your clubs, golf shoe cleaning, practice range using new Titliest Pro V golf balls which were better than the balls I was going to play with! You also need to play with caddies or a forecaddy, I presume to keep the pace of play going given the speed Americans play at normally. The course doesn't rank in my top 10 in East Lothian area let alone Scotland. It hasn't any connections with Archerfield which is across the road that I am aware of, Archerfield is also for the rich and well heeled. I've played both Archerfield courses there and they are better links style courses than Renaissance. Clubhouse is better but still a bit too posh and snobby. I would rather play Dunbar, Gullane 1 and 2, Luffness (snobby), Muirfield (even snobbier), Kilspindie, Goswick, North Berwick, Glen, Craigielaw, etc. Proper old style links courses.

Unfortunately membership for almost all the courses down East Lothian are closed, the post pandemic rush to play golf has meant all the clubs are full. Annual subscriptions range from £650 to c£1500 plus joining on fees which are usually 2 x annual subs. So to join would be a minimum of £2k for first year.

I was playing Kilspindie last week and there was 2 American visitors playing in front of us, neither of whom had played it before. It was breezy but nothing too bad. For 18 holes they were all over the place including in the sea on the 3rd and 4th holes. Couldn't play in the wind, couldn't play the ball low and they found the bunkers impossible! They also loved the golf course and loved the views and said they now realised what real golf was all about.

Yeah, I confused two or more things when I was looking at the map - because I don't play golf anymore I saw the name Archerfield and linked it with houses that I've seen on the first page of Rightmove when I've been looking for a place in East Lothian. There was an estate of very expensive houses built, possibly around the same time as the golf course, that carries the name Archerfield, I think it's called The Village Archerfield.

Yes. The housing development was one and the same initially, but it fell into disrepair around the 2008 collapse. It was an eerie place to drive around. 5 to 8 bedroom mansions, half of which were unsold, some half built with overgrown gardens and weeds growing out of the gutters. Alan Shearer and Michael Owen owed two of them. It was taken over by a , let's say, shady businessman from Edinburgh who has sorted it all out. There are some beautiful lodges for hire around the course and the main house is a superb wedding venue. It's expensive but a lot more accessible than Renaissance.

I have an ongoing invite to Renaissance from the wife of my customer but it's never yet materialised because I don't think he wants to lower himself by bringing the scummy gardener.

[Biffer]

Sadly Whitekirk closed which was a great shame as it was an excellent course. The Renaissance is disgracefully exclusive. Less than 300 members, very few of which live locally. One of my customers is a member and it is £14000 a year for him and his wife. I actually object to these places being given planning permission when they are purely for the super rich.

As to the Scottish Open, it's an embarrassment. My mate played Gullane yesterday afternoon in perfect Scottish golfing conditions and the forecast today is much the same. Ruining the tournament for the fans because of 20 to 25mph winds is a disgrace and I bet a lot of the golfers agree.

As a junior member at Dunbar for a good few years, I doubt I played many rounds in less than a 20 - 25 mph wind, it's err, par for the course in East Lothian.


Re the £14K membership at the Renaissance, Winterfield, which used to be the municipal course at Dunbar (don't know if it still is), has annual membership of £140, it's free for under 18s. East Links at Dunbar was about three hundred and odd quid the last time I looked, plus a sub for the new course extension they are planning on building

I've played Renaissance and wasn't that impressed with the course. I think the debenture is about £125k plus your annual subs. It is really an American course plonked onto beautiful links land - designed for the overweight rich American members who are shit golfers to play riding buggies. Clubhouse doesnt feel like a golf club at all, just too posh and American style country club feel, soulless. It is all about money and showing off - bag drop boys to clean and load your clubs, golf shoe cleaning, practice range using new Titliest Pro V golf balls which were better than the balls I was going to play with! You also need to play with caddies or a forecaddy, I presume to keep the pace of play going given the speed Americans play at normally. The course doesn't rank in my top 10 in East Lothian area let alone Scotland. It hasn't any connections with Archerfield which is across the road that I am aware of, Archerfield is also for the rich and well heeled. I've played both Archerfield courses there and they are better links style courses than Renaissance. Clubhouse is better but still a bit too posh and snobby. I would rather play Dunbar, Gullane 1 and 2, Luffness (snobby), Muirfield (even snobbier), Kilspindie, Goswick, North Berwick, Glen, Craigielaw, etc. Proper old style links courses.

Unfortunately membership for almost all the courses down East Lothian are closed, the post pandemic rush to play golf has meant all the clubs are full. Annual subscriptions range from £650 to c£1500 plus joining on fees which are usually 2 x annual subs. So to join would be a minimum of £2k for first year.

I was playing Kilspindie last week and there was 2 American visitors playing in front of us, neither of whom had played it before. It was breezy but nothing too bad. For 18 holes they were all over the place including in the sea on the 3rd and 4th holes. Couldn't play in the wind, couldn't play the ball low and they found the bunkers impossible! They also loved the golf course and loved the views and said they now realised what real golf was all about.

The course is a bit odd tbf. The first five are parkland golf course holes, albeit with links soil and grass. The main thing I rant about to my mates is there are trees everywhere. On a links course? Wtf? 11-15 are proper links golf holes. The rest are a bit in between. But the estate has trees everywhere because the pricey membership is going to bring an expectation of privacy. Gullane, Muirfield and several others along there are better links courses.

My other golf course rant that I’ll bring out next week is about Royal Liverpool being nowhere near good enough for The Open.

[Biffer]

It’s very entertaining how much they’re having to apologise for the language today

[Jim Lahey]

Rory doing a Rory?
2 shots up at the start, now 2 down. Is he shitting the bed or is MacIntyre just having one of those days?

Edit. Just seen that he's dropped a shot.

[Biffer]

Rory doing a Rory?
2 shots up at the start, now 2 down. Is he shitting the bed or is MacIntyre just having one of those days?

Edit. Just seen that he's dropped a shot.

It’s pretty tough out there.

Also, McIlroy has a pretty good record of seeing events out from a 54 hole lead. He does it about 54% of the time, average on the pga tour is 36%.

[Insane_Homer]

What a shot from Bob into the 18th!

[Insane_Homer]

Rory with a putt for birdie, birdie finish to win...

[Blackmac]

Trust Rory to choose today to play well on a Sunday.

[Insane_Homer]

FFS, feels like 25 mins waiting for him to make the putt

[Biffer]

Bugger. Was really hoping McIntyre would win that.

[earl the beaver]

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.

Obviously they didn't need to in the end but they can't risk any chance of it going into Monday. Some debate on line about pre-major events to play Weds-Sat.

[Blackmac]

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.

Obviously they didn't need to in the end but they can't risk any chance of it going into Monday. Some debate on line about pre-major events to play Weds-Sat.

The problem though is that there was never any risk. Only they seem to have had a forecast that suggested there was going to be a problem. The weather has been consistent all day, nothing more than a two to three club wind which shouldn't trouble these lads too much. They also mentioned earlier in the week they were keeping the greens deliberately slow to prevent any chance of balls blowing about.

[earl the beaver]

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.

Obviously they didn't need to in the end but they can't risk any chance of it going into Monday. Some debate on line about pre-major events to play Weds-Sat.

The problem though is that there was never any risk. Only they seem to have had a forecast that suggested there was going to be a problem. The weather has been consistent all day, nothing more than a two to three club wind which shouldn't trouble these lads too much. They also mentioned earlier in the week they were keeping the greens deliberately slow to prevent any chance of balls blowing about.

They won't have made the decision lightly, do you think the PGA tour or GENISIS wanted the event to be playing out at 8:30am in America while there was no live coverage?

From what I understand they were told there was a chance of lightning on Saturday so they moved it forward and on Sunday they had a chance of severe winds that could have halted play. Ultimately neither happened but the the organisers can't take the risk that it runs into Monday, no matter how slight, hence the discussion on whether these events the week before a major get shifted back a day in case of any issues.

[Blackmac]

Obviously they didn't need to in the end but they can't risk any chance of it going into Monday. Some debate on line about pre-major events to play Weds-Sat.

The problem though is that there was never any risk. Only they seem to have had a forecast that suggested there was going to be a problem. The weather has been consistent all day, nothing more than a two to three club wind which shouldn't trouble these lads too much. They also mentioned earlier in the week they were keeping the greens deliberately slow to prevent any chance of balls blowing about.

They won't have made the decision lightly, do you think the PGA tour or GENISIS wanted the event to be playing out at 8:30am in America while there was no live coverage?

From what I understand they were told there was a chance of lightning on Saturday so they moved it forward and on Sunday they had a chance of severe winds that could have halted play. Ultimately neither happened but the the organisers can't take the risk that it runs into Monday, no matter how slight, hence the discussion on whether these events the week before a major get shifted back a day in case of any issues.

Again, anyone that suggested there was going to be lightning on Scotlands south east coast yesterday has never stepped out of the house and certainly never played golf in that area. Anyone who lives here and knows the weather knows that it was nonsense.
I can guarantee that on every other course in the area, golfers were heading out all afternoon without a care in the world. I understand why they did it, but myself and most of the local golfing population know it was a horrendous over reaction.

[Big D]

Was there on Saturday with my eldest. His 1st hole watching pro golf live was Fleetwoods 1st (10th). He gave my son a high 5 and the smile never left his face all day. Hojgaard gave him a ball too.

I get the complaints about tee times etc but the organisers know where their bread is buttered. To keep the spot in the calendar (week before Open) and get a quality field they know the script. Course can't be set too difficult and wherever possible they cannot risk overrunning.

It isn't great for fans relying on public transport but that's the reason why they did what they did with tee times. It is protecting their spot on the calendar and the calibre of players attending the tournament.if 1 forecast in a hundred suggests it is a risk then they'd move them forward.

[Big D]

Despite the chat about McIlroy and shitting the bed in the 4th round his 3rd round lead to win ratio is insane. Its 50%+ which is incredible really.

Shame that McIntyre couldn't pull it off. Scottish Open winner and PGA card is life changing.

[TedMaul]

Was there on Saturday with my eldest. His 1st hole watching pro golf live was Fleetwoods 1st (10th). He gave my son a high 5 and the smile never left his face all day. Hojgaard gave him a ball too.

I get the complaints about tee times etc but the organisers know where their bread is buttered. To keep the spot in the calendar (week before Open) and get a quality field they know the script. Course can't be set too difficult and wherever possible they cannot risk overrunning.

It isn't great for fans relying on public transport but that's the reason why they did what they did with tee times. It is protecting their spot on the calendar and the calibre of players attending the tournament.if 1 forecast in a hundred suggests it is a risk then they'd move them forward.

He’ll never forget that!
My first was Greg Norman absolutely nailing one at Moor Park. Shocking how far he hit it back then. Later on saw a totally pissed Brian Barnes marking his ball with his can of beer

[Big D]

Was there on Saturday with my eldest. His 1st hole watching pro golf live was Fleetwoods 1st (10th). He gave my son a high 5 and the smile never left his face all day. Hojgaard gave him a ball too.

I get the complaints about tee times etc but the organisers know where their bread is buttered. To keep the spot in the calendar (week before Open) and get a quality field they know the script. Course can't be set too difficult and wherever possible they cannot risk overrunning.

It isn't great for fans relying on public transport but that's the reason why they did what they did with tee times. It is protecting their spot on the calendar and the calibre of players attending the tournament.if 1 forecast in a hundred suggests it is a risk then they'd move them forward.

He’ll never forget that!
My first was Greg Norman absolutely nailing one at Moor Park. Shocking how far he hit it back then. Later on saw a totally pissed Brian Barnes marking his ball with his can of beer

Yeah he's already asking about watching Hojgaard, Fleetwood and "Bob" on TV this week.

Harrington gave him a fist bump too. It was handy being there at 7.10 for 1st tee off. Early start from Fife was well worth it.

[TedMaul]

Great seeing Paddy being competitive. I’d like to watch Hojgaard play he’s quite something.

[Big D]

Great seeing Paddy being competitive. I’d like to watch Hojgaard play he’s quite something.

I think Rasmus is probably better than Nicolai but both talented laddies.

[Tichtheid]

I got Johnny Miller's autograph when I was a kid at the Open at St Andrews - he was on his sponsors stand and iirc was looking very pissed off because he hadn't made the cut. He burst into a broad smile when I approached him and happy signed the piece of paper I held out in front of him - that is the only time in my life I've been tongue-tied, could not say a word.

Nicklaus won that year ('78).

[Biffer]

Despite the chat about McIlroy and shitting the bed in the 4th round his 3rd round lead to win ratio is insane. Its 50%+ which is incredible really.

Shame that McIntyre couldn't pull it off. Scottish Open winner and PGA card is life changing.

Apparently he gets some kind of 'temporary' membership (according to the bbc), not sure how that works? I've seen something about Special temporary membership which gets you sponsor invites to most standard tour events, might be that. Also, top ten on the European Tour Race to Dubai this year get a PGA tour card. MacIntyre is up to 6th on the R2D after that and 3rd in the Ryder Cup standings.

[earl the beaver]

Despite the chat about McIlroy and shitting the bed in the 4th round his 3rd round lead to win ratio is insane. Its 50%+ which is incredible really.

Shame that McIntyre couldn't pull it off. Scottish Open winner and PGA card is life changing.

He's at around 57% after yesterday I think. The tour average is 35% so he's well ahead of that, however, of the 53 players with 10 or more 54 hole leads on the PGA Tour since 2006 he's ranked 23rd so very much middle of the road and a long way behind the ludicrous standard Tiger set (93.2%). He's better than your average tour pro but doesn't win as much as he should do. Now obviously he's edging up the all time tour wins list so he still wins a lot but his quality of golf gives him a lot of chances to win tournaments, for example that's his 2nd win this season (3rd if you count the wrap around) but he had chances to win at the US Open, Canadian Open (where he was going for a threepeat) and Memorial, now only leading overnight at Memorial but all tournaments where he was favourite with the bookies going into the final round.

He's going to go down as one of the best players of all time regardless of whether he wins another major but his 57% conversion rate isn't stellar compared to his true peers.

[Insane_Homer]

[Sandstorm]

Despite the chat about McIlroy and shitting the bed in the 4th round his 3rd round lead to win ratio is insane. Its 50%+ which is incredible really.

Shame that McIntyre couldn't pull it off. Scottish Open winner and PGA card is life changing.

He's at around 57% after yesterday I think. The tour average is 35% so he's well ahead of that, however, of the 53 players with 10 or more 54 hole leads on the PGA Tour since 2006 he's ranked 23rd so very much middle of the road and a long way behind the ludicrous standard Tiger set (93.2%). He's better than your average tour pro but doesn't win as much as he should do. Now obviously he's edging up the all time tour wins list so he still wins a lot but his quality of golf gives him a lot of chances to win tournaments, for example that's his 2nd win this season (3rd if you count the wrap around) but he had chances to win at the US Open, Canadian Open (where he was going for a threepeat) and Memorial, now only leading overnight at Memorial but all tournaments where he was favourite with the bookies going into the final round.

He's going to go down as one of the best players of all time regardless of whether he wins another major but his 57% conversion rate isn't stellar compared to his true peers.

Plus he's only popular in Ireland.

[Biffer]

Before we start, can I say once again that Royal Liverpool is not a good enough golf course to host The Open.

[TedMaul]

It really isn’t. No doubt there at all. Local lad Matt Jordan 2 under thru 5.

[Tichtheid]

Isn't there a good course a wee bit north of there?

It's been while since they had the Open there, too.

[Biffer]

Isn't there a good course a wee bit north of there?

It's been while since they had the Open there, too.

They were desperate to have another course in England so they could have it more often there. In the 70s, 80s, 90, 00s The Open was held in Scotland 6 times each decade. in the 10s it was five times. In the 20s it looks like it'll be four times.

They'd love another course in Kent, so they could make hospitality money from the city.

[dpedin]

Isn't there a good course a wee bit north of there?

It's been while since they had the Open there, too.

They were desperate to have another course in England so they could have it more often there. In the 70s, 80s, 90, 00s The Open was held in Scotland 6 times each decade. in the 10s it was five times. In the 20s it looks like it'll be four times.

They'd love another course in Kent, so they could make hospitality money from the city.

Never played it but the players won't get easier conditions than they have today. Greens look very flat and soft and rough doesnt seem too penal.

I've played all the Open courses in Scotland and my least favourite was the Old Course - apart from 1st, 17th and 18th it is pretty boring and for the pros is too easy now. It is also an awful course for spectating at. It's a shame that Royal Dornoch is too remote to be an Open venue - the back 9 into the prevailing wind would test these guys, easily the hardest 9 holes of golf I have played.

[Biffer]

Isn't there a good course a wee bit north of there?

It's been while since they had the Open there, too.

They were desperate to have another course in England so they could have it more often there. In the 70s, 80s, 90, 00s The Open was held in Scotland 6 times each decade. in the 10s it was five times. In the 20s it looks like it'll be four times.

They'd love another course in Kent, so they could make hospitality money from the city.

Never played it but the players won't get easier conditions than they have today. Greens look very flat and soft and rough doesnt seem too penal.

I've played all the Open courses in Scotland and my least favourite was the Old Course - apart from 1st, 17th and 18th it is pretty boring and for the pros is too easy now. It is also an awful course for spectating at. It's a shame that Royal Dornoch is too remote to be an Open venue - the back 9 into the prevailing wind would test these guys, easily the hardest 9 holes of golf I have played.

Completely agree, St Andrews is easily taken apart in calm conditions, and terrible for watching.

Dornoch would be a fabulous Open course - is access really any worse than Portrush?