2015 British Open at St. Andrews Discussion Thread

[Vinsk]

What's interesting about the weather forecast is they're calling for a Westerly wind, around 10-15mph. That's the same wind that John Daly won out of in 1995. That means the Front 9 plays into the wind and the back nine plays downwind. On 17, balls will be pushed towards the left rough and 18 will become a very reachable par-4.

Great call! I just watched that tournament on "greatest rounds" on GC. Man that was something when Constatino made that snake after chunking his wedge on 18!

[KevinFaulkner]

I dont know enough about St. Andrews hole by hole to know how a westerly wind affects certain players. But my preliminary 6 picks in a salary cap competition are Casey, Sergio, Keegan, F Molinari, Schwartzel, and Matsuyama. All consistently make the cut at the Open and playing fairly solid golf this year. Any constructive criticism on these picks?

[RJH999]

I dont know enough about St. Andrews hole by hole to know how a westerly wind affects certain players. But my preliminary 6 picks in a salary cap competition are Casey, Sergio, Keegan, F Molinari, Schwartzel, and Matsuyama. All consistently make the cut at the Open and playing fairly solid golf this year. Any constructive criticism on these picks?

Good picks, but again, I don't see Molinari having a shot.

[ChrisP]

I dont know enough about St. Andrews hole by hole to know how a westerly wind affects certain players. But my preliminary 6 picks in a salary cap competition are Casey, Sergio, Keegan, F Molinari, Schwartzel, and Matsuyama. All consistently make the cut at the Open and playing fairly solid golf this year. Any constructive criticism on these picks?

A westerly wind helps the bombers because it makes 9, 12 and 18 very reachable with even a 3 wood for some. Also makes the par-5 14th reachable in two. Rory would have destroyed this place if he was healthy. Holes 2-8 and 11 will play dmost difficult as well as 17 which would play mostly into a crosswind.

[DaveP043]

A westerly wind helps the bombers because it makes 9, 12 and 18 very reachable with even a 3 wood for some. Also makes the par-5 14th reachable in two. Rory would have destroyed this place if he was healthy. Holes 2-8 and 11 will play dmost difficult as well as 17 which would play mostly into a crosswind.

The bulk of the course runs about NNW to SSE, so you've perfectly described what a wind out of the NW would do.  It the wind swings a bit south, it could make nearly everything play across the wind, which would make me favor the guys who can flight all their shots low, and are comfortable playing shots on the ground.

I'm really interested to watch this year.  I've been lucky enough to play the Old Course a couple of times since 2010, so I expect it to be even more fascinating than normal.

[ChrisP]

The bulk of the course runs about NNW to SSE, so you've perfectly described what a wind out of the NW would do.  It the wind swings a bit south, it could make nearly everything play across the wind, which would make me favor the guys who can flight all their shots low, and are comfortable playing shots on the ground.   I'm really interested to watch this year.  I've been lucky enough to play the Old Course a couple of times since 2010, so I expect it to be even more fascinating than normal.

According to forecasts, it's going to be mostly a NW wind and colder than the norm, so yeah, if it holds up the back will be mostly downwind. Of course it depends how hard....that will dictate a lot. Right now they're calling for 10-15 which isnt all that strong.

[KevinFaulkner]

Good picks, but again, I don't see Molinari having a shot.

Thanks. I could sub Molinari for Holmes - same price.. Now that I know the effects of the forecasted wind it would seem like a smarter pick.

[ChrisP]

This is going to be hard to predict. I've actually won the ChrisP slam....I've hit on my last 4 bets in majors (granted I always bet a favorite, mid-ranger and long shot). But With Rory out, I'm not as confident. I was going to use most of my winnings from the U.S. Open on Rory. Leaning towards playing Rose, maybe Scott if winds are projected to be light. If Jordan wins or finishes top 3, I may play him. So I'm in a wait-and-see. I do think it will be a prominent player though. St Andrews has a history of having strong leaderboards.

[GarethS89]

Hi guys,

I was looking through the field for next week and I am struggling to pick my winner. Rory is now out, and being the major favorite alongside Spieth, the field is now blown wide open!

I see potential in Dustin Johnson having a big role to play in it along with Rickie Fowler, but I just don't see Spieth making it 3 in a row with all the pressure that is going to be on his shoulders next week!

My pick is DJ!

What do you guys think?

Gareth

[dfreuter415]

I'm pulling for Spieth to make it 3 majors in a row.

But, after show a little sign of life last week, it is hard not to think that Tiger won't be there on Sunday after winning 2 Open's at St. Andrew's.

Even though Rory is gone there are still a number of potential winners: Justin Rose, Victor Dubuisson, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Louis Oosthuizen, or Branden Grace.

But, I would love to see Sergio win just one major championship. His time is running out quickly.

[Wally Fairway]

I just can't see Tiger at the top of a leaderboard, just because he made the cut at the Greenbriar. It would be great for the fans, the sponsors and the game....but could this be his last walk over Swilcan bridge?

I'd like to see Jordan pull it off, and then see all the hype the builds up to Whispering Straits; but I just can't pick him, I'm sticking with Oosty, he showed great at the US Open and has won at St. Andrews.

[plum]

my picks in order:

jordan

DJ

justin rose

[colin007]

I wouldn't be surprised if a Euro like Doo-bwee-sohne got it...

[jsgolfer]

my picks in order:

jordan

DJ

justin rose

You should go back to the first post and read the rules for submitting your picks.

[Silent]

You should go back to the first post and read the rules for submitting your picks.

What first post? This is not the prediction contest ;-)

[jsgolfer]

What first post? This is not the prediction contest ;-)

You're right my bad.

[Wally Fairway]

Weather forecast looks a little better for Thur/Fri, less chance of rain - I do hope that if there is bad weather it is for an entire day, as it seems rather luck of the draw to have the field separated by weather as much as by play.

[ChrisP]

Watch out for Shane Lowry next week. You heard it here first.