2016 British Open at Royal Troon Discussion Thread

[colin007]

Just a couple weeks out, July 14-17 and hoping for either DJ or Rors to win this one. Last held here twelve years ago. 

http://www.theopen.com/Heritage/OpenVenues/Royal-Troon

[Chilli Dipper]

Open champions at Royal Troon have tended to be golfers from the Midwestern U.S., who learned to keep the ball under the winds of the plains. If history is any indication, Zach Johnson has a very strong chance to repeat.

[Gunther]

Spieth is a good wind player and I'm sure will win multiple Opens; 2016 is as good a year as any to get started.

My favorite major of the year, can hardly wait.

[ChrisP]

Miserable weather all summer there. Almost reminiscent of 2008 when they had a bad summer and Birkdale was ridiculous. Friend texted me over there and said they haven't seen sun in almost a month and have been struggling to reach 60 every day. Will be interesting to see if those conditions hold a few more weeks.

[colin007]

1 hour ago, ChrisP said:

Miserable weather all summer there. Almost reminiscent of 2008 when they had a bad summer and Birkdale was ridiculous. Friend texted me over there and said they haven't seen sun in almost a month and have been struggling to reach 60 every day. Will be interesting to see if those conditions hold a few more weeks.

Holy crap that sounds miserable....I hope not, just because it could lead to inconsistent conditions for players in the morning/afternoon flights.

2 hours ago, Gunther said:

My favorite major of the year, 

How come?

[ChrisP]

4 minutes ago, colin007 said:

Holy crap that sounds miserable....I hope not, just because it could lead to inconsistent conditions for players in the morning/afternoon flights.

Yeah I don't know what's going on up there but they're having weird weather. Just went on weather.com and it continues to look miserable, cold and windy for the next 15 days. 

[Gunther]

12 minutes ago, colin007 said:

 

How come?

Mmm, let me count the ways.

1.  Early morning viewing

2.  Links golf, love the challenge and the views

3.  Europe / Scotland, enchanting

4.  Elements

5.  I've played a couple of the rota courses (Carnoustie and St Andrews)

6.  Oldest major, love the history, read quite a lot about it.

7.  Gives me a tingle down my leg when I flip it on.

Guess that covers it.

[jamo]

16 minutes ago, Gunther said:

5.  I've played a couple of the rota courses (Carnoustie and St Andrews)

Those are my two favorites! I've heard a thousand St. Andrews stories, but how was Carnoustie?

[Gunther]

57 minutes ago, jamo said:

Those are my two favorites! I've heard a thousand St. Andrews stories, but how was Carnoustie?

I've talked about it here recently but it was phenomenal, made moreso because of the conditions. We truly got "Carnasty".  It was April, 1st few holes sleeted, was like 38°, next few rained like cats and dogs, never before nor since have I played in rain like that.  Last few holes sun shone bright and beautiful.  All the while 30-40 mph winds.  Tremendous experience.

[colin007]

4 minutes ago, Gunther said:

I've talked about it here recently but it was phenomenal, made moreso because of the conditions. We truly got "Carnasty".  It was April, 1st few holes sleeted, was like 38°, next few rained like cats and dogs, never before nor since have I played in rain like that.  Last few holes sun shone bright and beautiful.  All the while 30-40 mph winds.  Tremendous experience.

That actually sounds awful...I'm not sure if I would've seen the silver lining in that....wow

[Gunther]

55 minutes ago, colin007 said:

That actually sounds awful...I'm not sure if I would've seen the silver lining in that....wow

Haha, yes, I hear you.  Can't say I wasn't cussing a little during the round but I played really well and after the round we all realized that we had played the championship course at Carnoustie in some of the most challenging conditions possible and we all warmed up to the experience over quite a few pints.  I think better of it with each passing year (and pint).

[Jakester23]

Im excited for this years open with how consistent the top players in the world are playing right now.    I honestly have no idea who will come out on top.  For some reason I have this gut feeling it will be someone outside the OWGR top 5.  If I could just figure out who.....

[Broke100Once]

Bold prediction: Lee Westwood finally takes a major.  He has a good track record in prior Troon Opens, he's done well this year at the Masters and USO, and I kinda like the storyline of "none of the Big Three (or four if you count Fowler) win a major in 2016."

[taxgolf]

Stenson

[Jakester23]

5 hours ago, taxgolf said:

Stenson

I wouldn't mind seeing him break through. It sure would make for a fun summer if DJ, Stenson, and Rickie broke through this year. 

[taxgolf]

I like the cool Swede very much. The way he attacks the ball. I really do not have a clue. Could be a difficult course to play. Somehow, big players come up at big tournaments. Or when they are in contention, they can step up a notch. I really can not see a favorite. 

[Groucho Valentine]

Stenson is my favorite player. I love the way he attacks the ball and the course as well. I wish his putting and mental game didn't unglued so much under pressure. So i have a problem picking him in big tournaments. 

[ChrisP]

Impossible to predict because a lot depends on the weather. It's no doubt gonna be soft....it's been raining there all summer.... but if it's windy, too, then the draw becomes an issue. If there's no wind, then that narrows down the field dramatically. A guy like Rory and Jason will eat this course up if the wind doesn't blow. Troon traditionally yields pretty good scores in soft conditions. It's not as challenging as a Birkdale, Carnoustie, Muirfield or St. George's.