2015 Irish Open Thread

[Yukari]

A lot of it has to do with the two swings. Spieth's swing is more sweet and simple. He has the kind of swing that he does not have to change while he's playing on the PGA Tour, which is why I think Jordan is going to be more of a long-term force to be reckoned with. Rory's swing has a lot of moving parts to it. Reminds me of Rickie where if one part is off, the whole swing is off. He just goes into slumps with his swing like a batter.

+1.

Rory's score standard deviation is much larger than Spieth due to his swing having too many "moving parts".

When everything is working, he is deadly.  However, when something is slightly off, he's dead in the water.

I can totally relate to that as standard deviation of my scores are as wild, if not more, than those of "consistent players".

[Scotsclaff]

A lot of it has to do with the two swings. Spieth's swing is more sweet and simple. He has the kind of swing that he does not have to change while he's playing on the PGA Tour, which is why I think Jordan is going to be more of a long-term force to be reckoned with. Rory's swing has a lot of moving parts to it. Reminds me of Rickie where if one part is off, the whole swing is off. He just goes into slumps with his swing like a batter.

Hahahaha!!

[joekelly]

Rory finally makes a birdie on 7.  Then puts on the big mittens.  He stands at +8, with 11 holes left on the round.  Cut line thought to be +4/5.

Storms roar in, blow rain sideways for 10 mins, then depart to leave sunny and cold.  Repeat.

[atb5079]

This tournament looks miserable to play in. Ugh links golf is just ugly, i'm sorry. I know County Down is a great course, but just doesn't appeal to me.

[rehmwa]

Can only look at the score summaries - this tourney is killing some serious players

[atb5079]

Another monsoon

[Stretch]

Hennie Otto with an 86 today, I hope none of the spectators understand Afrikaans!

[b101]

@atb5079 : Interesting - I really think the European Tour needs a few more links courses, so County Down massively appeals. We know who tends to destroy the fields when it's target golf, and the creativity/unpredictability really adds another dimension. We'd have never seen great headlines like Oliver Wilson winning the Dunhill were it on a breezeless parkland course, for example. I get that it can be a bit rough when the weather is really caning it, but I love the fact that there's loads of different shots to play and the really tight spots in and around the greens.

Maybe just me or the standard British preference for links golf; I far prefer seeing the players really think and manage their way around and it's nice to see them have to seriously fight for -3. Not saying I'd want it every week, but it makes a welcome change, for me.

[Rick Martin]

This tournament looks miserable to play in. Ugh links golf is just ugly, i'm sorry. I know County Down is a great course, but just doesn't appeal to me.

I enjoy it -especially since golf's roots were in that region and under those kinds of conditions and not in the manicured, pristine conditions found at places like Augusta National where a blade of grass is out of place. I think I'm going to enjoy this year' US Open as I did Pinehurst #2 last year.

[joekelly]

Euro TV guy said Shane Lowry used only the wedge for putting during the last 9 holes of his round.  I saw him on one of his last holes of the day putting with the wedge.

Anyone know what happened to his putter?

[colin007]

The putter misbehaved and needed to be punished.

[Judah Ben-Hur]

The putter misbehaved and needed to be punished.

By any change was a knee or thigh involved?

[Judah Ben-Hur]

I see he made two birdie putts with the wedge.  Must be nice.

[Shorty]

This tournament looks miserable to play in. Ugh links golf is just ugly, i'm sorry. I know County Down is a great course, but just doesn't appeal to me.

Yes - just awful. Horrible. Ugh. So unappealing.

[Scotsclaff]

Great to see the guys playing under these conditions ,no lush fairways, no receptive greens and some challenging weather thrown in.

Go on yersel' Rickie Fowler.Looks as if he's up to it.

[Crim]

Rickie and Paddy should be teeing off within the next hour. I'm praying to St. Patrick that one (please be both) of them will be in contention come the last 9 holes tomorrow.

[Crim]

First time I've been able to watch for more than 10 minutes at a time. This course is so gnarly, I love it.

[Crim]

The 40 year old Dane, Soren Kjeldsen is on fire, impressive to watch. His putting style is really interesting, can anyone tell if he's posting up on his left arm? If he is, I'm wondering if that will be legal next year.

Edit: if German Maximillian Kieffer can par the final 3 holes, he will break a tournament record that was set in 1939.