2012 British Open Discussion Thread

[walk18]

I'll never be able to root for someone using those ridiculous putters. Unfair advantage aside, It looks like he should be sweeping the kitchen floor. There's nothing about it that remotely resembles golf.

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by 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.

That's a bit strong - "will not win".

I would say it will take something special out of him on Sunday. I'm thinking a 65. That will put him at -11 & force Scott to break par to win. I'd say Tiger's chances are maybe 10%. But it can be done. There's only three players ahead of him.

It's basically up to Scott. It's his tournament now, but as I stated earlier in this thread, as long as he's using that damn hockey stick to putt with, nothing is certain.

If it becomes a grind-fest on Sunday, I like McDowell.

[zeg]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

That's a bit strong - "will not win".

Naw, it's refreshing to see a firm prediction instead of a hedged, "Chances are slim..."

[newtogolf]

Since we're making firm predictions, I say Scott chokes and has a +3 tomorrow.  He's playing way over his head, and with a sleepless night ahead of him and prediction of wind tomorrow I don't think he wins it.

[Jmdmbike]

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.

I'll take option #1. which of your 3 scenarios are you taking?

[zipazoid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeg

Naw, it's refreshing to see a firm prediction instead of a hedged, "Chances are slim..."

I guess, but how does he know?

Now, I can tell you for certain that Phil won't win. That much I do know.

Quote:

Since we're making firm predictions, I say Scott chokes and has a +3 tomorrow.  He's playing way over his head, and with a sleepless night ahead of him and prediction of wind tomorrow I don't think he wins it.

I can definitely see that happening. I think we'll know early, like the first time he's got a 6-footer with that snow shovel of a putter.

I like McDowell. He'll have the crowd behind him & he doesn't beat himself. I could see a solid 69 out of him, Scott with a 74 & Tiger's rally falling short by a couple of shots.

But I can't say it will happen.

[BallStriker]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Steve Williams played well today

If he wins tomorrow, he will have 14 majors......jack in his sights.

[zeg]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

I guess, but how does he know?

Now, I can tell you for certain that Phil won't win. That much I do know.

I can definitely see that happening. I think we'll know early, like the first time he's got a 6-footer with that snow shovel of a putter.

I like McDowell. He'll have the crowd behind him & he doesn't beat himself. I could see a solid 69 out of him, Scott with a 74 & Tiger's rally falling short by a couple of shots.

But I can't say it will happen.

Here's how it works. Everyone predicts what will happen. Most predictions of who will win will be wrong, since only one guy will win. It's understood that "X won't win" means "I believe X won't win."

It's like the writing lesson that they try to beat into people's heads (at least for scientists and engineers) but doesn't stick: "I believe," "I think," "It seems to me," etc, are worthless and should be left out because everyone knows it's what you believe. If not, you wouldn't be writing it. (The only exception would be if the statement could honestly be mistaken for a factual claim.)

So, I'll go ahead and say it. Tiger will win. Scott will play mostly pars but have a couple unfortunate holes where he's not able to control a tee shot or escape a bunker unscathed. Tiger pulls together a 66 or 67, and edges out McDowell.

You heard it here first.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by Jmdmbike

I'll take option #1. which of your 3 scenarios are you taking?

I think it's a combo between options 2 and 3.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

That's a bit strong - "will not win".

It's a prediction. Clearly it's not a fact because I'm not Marty McFly and I don't have a list of the winners of sporting contests for the next 30 years or so.

BTW if anyone is planning to join us in the live chat tomorrow, sign in once and then stay signed in. If you sign in and out a few times we may have to block you.

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by iacas

It's a prediction. Clearly it's not a fact because I'm not Marty McFly and I don't have a list of the winners of sporting contests for the next 30 years or so.

BTW if you're planning to join us in the live chat tomorrow, sign in once and then stay put. Don't sign in and out or we'll have to block you.

I don't sign in & out. I have times away from my puter & I can only assume when my puter goes into standby I get signed out. But I'm not physically signing in & out.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

I don't sign in & out. I have times away from my puter & I can only assume when my puter goes into standby I get signed out. But I'm not physically signing in & out.

I wasn't talking to you specifically (the first paragraph was, the second was to everyone), but you should avoid the standby phase if your Internet connection is dropped in standby because it'll be seen as signing out and signing back in.

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by iacas

I wasn't talking to you specifically (the first paragraph was, the second was to everyone), but you should avoid the standby phase if your Internet connection is dropped in standby because it'll be seen as signing out and signing back in.

Well, that wasn't clear. I assumed since the first para was to me the second one was as well. At any rate, my internet connection isn't dropped when I go to standby - all I have to do is wiggle my mouse & it comes back, so I don't think there's any sign in/out going on. If there is let me know.

[ApocG10]

Why the problem with signouts? Does it create server problems?\

My prediction for tomorrow. Winds are supposed to be strong. This will kill Scott, and he will come in at +3-4, killing his chances at a first major, and hopefully he fires Williams, just because he is an unprofessional *******, and should be fired again..

The real fight will be between McDowell and Woods, two great wind players, with woods winning by a stroke, or in a playoff. But Tiger will win the 2012 Open. Woods shoots a 67-68, with Graeme shooting a 71-72.

Ada, Scott at 73-74 if he plays decent.

My predictions are only good if the predicted strong winds show up on the course tomorrow. If there is no wind, Scott may just do it. Its such a conundrum for me, I want to see scott win, but I never want to see Williams on a major winning bag again, ever.

[bigoak]

Am neither a Tiger fan or hater, but if he got rid of current putter and got out that old Ping Anser II or SC(what ever it was), he'd be in the lead now and would win Sunday.  Would be a great wager.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by bigoak

Am neither a Tiger fan or hater, but if he got rid of current putter and got out that old Ping Anser II or SC(what ever it was), he'd be in the lead now and would win Sunday.  Would be a great wager.

You can be certain he'd be putting better with one of his old putter, but aren't sure what they were. Noted.

[brocks]

Scott looks solid to me. He isn't doing it with mirrors like Snedeker did yesterday; he is striking his ball. If the wind comes up, he can afford to play conservatively with the lead he has, and the other guys will have to take big risks, which will probably result in a double bogey or two. Unless he melts down, I don't see anyone catching him. If he does choke, I think McDowell will take it. But Tiger will win the PGA.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by brocks

Scott looks solid to me. He isn't doing it with mirrors like Snedeker did yesterday; he is striking his ball. If the wind comes up, he can afford to play conservatively with the lead he has, and the other guys will have to take big risks, which will probably result in a double bogey or two. Unless he melts down, I don't see anyone catching him. If he does choke, I think McDowell will take it.

But Tiger will win the PGA.

Off topic, but does McDowell get his fashion inspiration from watchng reruns of The Golden Girls?