2012 British Open Discussion Thread

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by Zeph

Scott is putting up quite the distance between himself and the rest of the field. Only three bogies so far this week.

Lots of golf left.

[poirot]

If the weather stays the same it will be almost imposible to catch Scott, we need bad weather for Tiger to have a chance, because I think he plays better in the wind, with his stingers and all, just my two cents

[zipazoid]

And there you go. Scott drops a shot.

[poirot]

Another boggie :-D and a birdie oportunity for Woods

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by poirot

If the weather stays the same it will be almost imposible to catch Scott, we need bad weather for Tiger to have a chance, because I think he plays better in the wind, with his stingers and all, just my two cents

So disagree. We're halfway thru the third round. This tournament isn't even close to even starting yet. It's all jockeying for position right now.

And sorry, but as long as Scott is rocking that broom handle on the greens, nothing is certain with him.

[jamo]

Not a fun bunker to be in there for Scott. In the smiley part of the smiley face bunkers on 17. EDIT: Spoke too soon. No real lip on that bunker.

[iPutt]

I just think that in these conditions, Tiger had to be more aggressive and he really wasn't at all today. I know it's his game plan and all, and he is playing better than most, but it's gonna leave him well back of the leaders. Even though as I'm typing this now, Scott seems to look like he's gonna drop another shot, Tiger had some good opportunities to be aggressive and gain some ground but he didn't take them.

*Never mind about Scott dropping a shot, only reinforces my point

[iacas]

Tiger will not win. His three-putt (well, failure to get up and down) from short of the 15th and Graeme's birdie that put him in the final group pretty much write that story.

On the plus side, Tiger only needs one guy - a guy who has never won a major - to falter. A guy who hit some loose shots later in the round (he's bunkered on 17 as I wrote this now). But still I think the gap is too large, and McDowell is more likely to do it.

I thought a third 67 would be enough for Tiger to win. He'd be at -9 if he did that. He'd be in the final group, within two shots of Scott. It's not to be. He'll shoot 70, it appears. Even if he birdies the last he's not in the final group.

[Zeph]

Not being in the final group is a big deal. With experienced players like Scott and McDowell in front, it'll be difficult. Of course, just one shot behind McDowell is doable, but I think Scott will be hard to beat. He's currently 5 shots ahead.

[Dave2512]

Not much moving in the right direction on moving day.

[Mr. Desmond]

TIger is playing bad weather golf; everyone else is playing target golf.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

TIger is playing bad golf; everyone else is playing target golf.

I fixed that a little bit for you. :)

I'm mostly joking but not a lot. The three bogeys were not from bad spots. In all three cases he failed to hit the ball hard enough to get it to the hole.

[Zwick]

Tiger missed three 6 footers for par, that's the only reason he isn't in a better position.

[mvmac]

Steve Williams played well today

[brocks]

I just think that in these conditions, Tiger had to be more aggressive and he really wasn't at all today.

I think he played exactly right for the shape his game is in. He is at or near the top in fairways hit, and with all the bunkers, that is huge this week. Yes he's hitting his approaches from farther back than the guys hitting driver, but he is not getting it close with his wedge, so it doesn't make any difference. He would look like a genius if the guys ahead of him weren't making putt after putt, or if he weren't missing putt after putt. And Scott is also putting on a ball striking clinic. Tiger couldn't beat a guy having a career week, even in his prime, unless he had his A game. If he was just slightly off, a guy like Rich Beem or Michael Campbell could make everything and win. I'm not sure Tiger even has his B game this week, but he's definitely making progress.

[zeg]

Originally Posted by iacas

I'm mostly joking but not a lot. The three bogeys were not from bad spots. In all three cases he failed to hit the ball hard enough to get it to the hole.

Yeah, it was definitely more boring, conservative golf. I don't think you can call it bad golf, because even Tiger makes mistakes, but when you take the aggressive play out of the mix in good conditions, the safe play takes away the possibility for a good run making up for a couple mistakes.

It seemed like almost his every shot---putt or otherwise---was short. In some cases this may be trying to stay below the hole, but he wasn't giving himself any short putts for birdie at all.

I agree with your assessment of his chances: not good. I'd wager that he's going to bring this same conservative approach to the course tomorrow. While it's conceivable that he starts draining the 20-footers that have been his "short" birdie looks, I don't think that's likely. I think more likely is he continues his reliable play and turns in a 67 or 68. That puts him at -8 or -9. That's unlikely to win, because it means Snedeker and McDowell both have bad rounds and Scott falls apart. One of those will probably happen, and maybe two, but I doubt all three.

I would say that if the weather goes way south overnight, I'd give him a good chance. I think his game plan would hold up---it better, since he's not really using anything longer than a 5I.....

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by iacas

I fixed that a little bit for you. :)

I'm mostly joking but not a lot. The three bogeys were not from bad spots. In all three cases he failed to hit the ball hard enough to get it to the hole.

I agree - it is bad golf for Tiger.

At the same time, I think it will take until the end of the year for things to mesh ... hopefully for his sake.

He needs more than a semi-decent cut, there is a draw, and there is putting...

[Chilli Dipper]

I figure three likely outcomes for the tournament tomorrow: 1. Scott plays steady golf the whole way, shoots par (or a shot off it), and takes victory without anyone mounting a serious challenge. 2. Scott's putting deserts him, while McDowell seizes the opportunity to claim a second major. 3. The opposing wind gusts are as frerocious as advertised, and the final few groups fall apart under the conditions. Meanwhile, a player lurking at one- or two-under makes up shots going out in milder conditions, then coming in with the wind at his back, and posts a 65 or 66 that becomes the score to beat.