2016 British Open at Royal Troon Discussion Thread

[rehmwa]

4 hours ago, 70sSanO said:

. who knows, in 10 or 20 years it could be a sponsors name tournament like some of the LPGA Majors.  Maybe the BAE Championship.  Then people will be longing for even the use of the word British.

The Taco Bell/Delta Faucets British Open doesn't have a nice ring to it

no sir - no sirree Bob

[70sSanO]

1 hour ago, Shindig said:

As long as we don't have to watch the Pizza Hut Masters, I think I'm okay with the other three getting presenting sponsors.

If I follow the trend in commercials, it will probably be called the The Cialis Masters Tournament.

They will probably make the winner sit in a bathtub to get the green jacket... lol!

John

[boogielicious]

On 7/17/2016 at 9:48 PM, saevel25 said:

Stenson was 9 strokes better than the average score on the field. With 15-20 mph winds he hits 79% FIR and 89% GIR! 7 out of the last 9 holes are in the top 10 toughest holes on the course for the tournament and shoots 31. 

I think this round needs to go down as one of the best rounds of major championship golf ever played. 

Let's keep in mind that Stenson and Mickelson got favorable winds on Thursday and Friday and the wind was down on the back 9 on Sunday as compared to the morning. They still would have won by a few strokes because they were clearly the best of the field. But they weren't fighting 20+ winds all four days.

Stenson's GIR was incredible.

13 hours ago, rehmwa said:

The Taco Bell/Delta Faucets British Open doesn't have a nice ring to it

no sir - no sirree Bob

You have to think UK. It would be the Boots/Glenlivet Open Championship

[nevets88]

3 hours ago, boogielicious said:

Let's keep in mind that Stenson and Mickelson got favorable winds on Thursday and Friday and the wind was down on the back 9 on Sunday as compared to the morning. They still would have won by a few strokes because they were clearly the best of the field. But they weren't fighting 20+ winds all four days.

Stenson's GIR was incredible.

You have to think UK. It would be the Boots/Glenlivet Open Championship

There's already Barclay's and RBS. How about the Asda - Marks & Spencer - Sainsbury - B&Q Open Championship? 

[boogielicious]

15 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

There's already Barclay's and RBS. How about the Asda - Marks & Spencer - Sainsbury - B&Q Open Championship? 

I'd go for the Cadbury Chocolate/Bass Ale Open myself.

[Groucho Valentine]

That final round really had the feel of Phils last hurrah to me. At his age, to play so well and still lose...thats really mentally damaging. Its happened to me. I dont think were going to see phil contend in a major again. 

[Gunther]

4 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

That final round really had the feel of Phils last hurrah to me. At his age, to play so well and still lose...thats really mentally damaging. Its happened to me. I dont think were going to see phil contend in a major again. 

Many said that before his last Open win.  Don't sleep on Philly Mick.  He'll be back.  

Edited July 19, 2016 by Gunther

[Groucho Valentine]

1 minute ago, Gunther said:

Many said that before his last Open win.  Don't sleep on Philly Mick.  He'll be back.  

I hope so. Pro golf is more interesting when he contends. 

[natureboy]

24 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

That final round really had the feel of Phils last hurrah to me. At his age, to play so well and still lose...thats really mentally damaging. Its happened to me. I dont think were going to see phil contend in a major again. 

Nah. All he has to do is play a slightly reduced schedule so he has less wear and tear / grind from weekly events and some extra energy for the Majors. Just look how Stricker's been doing with the reduced schedule.

I kinda thought Phil was done in 2015 with his swing being all over the place, but he pulled it back together pretty nicely.

Edited July 19, 2016 by natureboy

[Patch]

1 hour ago, Groucho Valentine said:

That final round really had the feel of Phils last hurrah to me. At his age, to play so well and still lose...thats really mentally damaging. Its happened to me. I dont think were going to see phil contend in a major again. 

I was thinking the same thing. Just another era of golf slowly fading away. 

[ChrisP]

2 hours ago, Groucho Valentine said:

That final round really had the feel of Phils last hurrah to me. At his age, to play so well and still lose...thats really mentally damaging. Its happened to me. I dont think were going to see phil contend in a major again. 

Don't know about that. I think his window is about closed on the US Open and PGA, but the British Open is the one major where you can contend at a later age. A lot of these Opens are more mental than physical. Look at Tom Watson at 59 and Greg Norman at 53 and even Mark Calcavecchia was up there a few times in his 50s. So I do think he'll have more chances in this major. And I think he will have one more run at Augusta.

[MrDC]

I don't see it that way, I think Phil simply ran into some bad luck with those monster putts that fell for Henrik, he really did play well enough to win and will again IMO, especially in The Open.

[Aflighter]

No way  that Phil's last hurrah.His game especially his short game is as good as anyone in the game.He looks like hes finally figured out his putting.He still has  much length as anyone.I think the only thing that will hurt him is those hot summer days.Honestly think the weather screwed him at US Open.When a 46 yr old has to play 36 holes i a day then hes done.He will always be a factor at the Masters.

[Hardspoon]

28 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

but the British Open is the one major where you can contend at a later age. 

This definitely seems true...I wonder why.  Is it the conditions (wind, etc.) that players with more experience are better equipped to deal with?

[Groucho Valentine]

34 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

Don't know about that. I think his window is about closed on the US Open and PGA, but the British Open is the one major where you can contend at a later age. A lot of these Opens are more mental than physical. Look at Tom Watson at 59 and Greg Norman at 53 and even Mark Calcavecchia was up there a few times in his 50s. So I do think he'll have more chances in this major. And I think he will have one more run at Augusta.

True. I'll walk that back some, Phil might be a contender at Augusta until he's 60..lol. None of those guys won, though. But how many tournaments like that the one he just had does Phil have left in him? I would imagine not many. So to play so unbelievably well and come away with nothing has to sting like a bitch. 

Edited July 19, 2016 by Groucho Valentine

[ChrisP]

1 hour ago, Hardspoon said:

This definitely seems true...I wonder why.  Is it the conditions (wind, etc.) that players with more experience are better equipped to deal with?

There's not a premium on length. It's more strategy. The big hitters last week were trying to overpower the course, hitting driver and driving it into fescue and pot bunkers. Mickelson and Stenson kept hitting irons off the tee and playing fairways and greens. Same was when Watson and Norman contended. Same when Clarke won. Not all links courses are for the power boys.

[Buckeyebowman]

8 hours ago, Aflighter said:

No way  that Phil's last hurrah.His game especially his short game is as good as anyone in the game.He looks like hes finally figured out his putting.He still has  much length as anyone.I think the only thing that will hurt him is those hot summer days.Honestly think the weather screwed him at US Open.When a 46 yr old has to play 36 holes i a day then hes done.He will always be a factor at the Masters.

I have to agree. Anyone besides me notice the weight he's lost? Remember the set of jiggly man boobs he used to haul around? He looks as fit as when he came out of college. This is important since he's not a spring chicken anymore. And scheduling will be important so he can be at his best for any tournament he cares to enter. He should be a little picky. It's not like he's in danger of losing his tour card or needs the money!

One thing that has bothered me since the conclusion of the Open is that some media commentators seem to want to dance on Phil's grave! They continually point out that Phil has finished second in majors 11 times, while conveniently ignoring the fact that Nicklaus finished second 19 times!

It's called being in the hunt! Being in contention! Giving yourself the opportunity to win! Would they feel better if he finished tied for 15th?

[natureboy]

Nicklaus weighs in on the quality of the 'Duel in the wind':

Quote

I was fortunate to watch every second of today’s final round of the Open Championship, and I thought it was fantastic. Phil Mickelson played one of the best rounds I have ever seen played in the Open and Henrik Stenson just played better—he played one of the greatest rounds I have ever seen. Phil certainly has nothing to be ashamed of because he played wonderfully. Henrik played well from beginning to end. He drove the ball well; his iron game was great; his short game was wonderful; and his putting was great. Henrik was simply terrific. To win your first major championship is something special in and of itself, but to do it in the fashion Henrik did it in, makes for something very special and incredibly memorable. I'm proud of and happy for Henrik. Some in the media have already tried to compare today’s final round to 1977 at Turnberry, with Tom Watson and me in what they called the “duel in the sun.” I thought we played great and had a wonderful match. On that day, Tom got me, 65-66. Our final round was really good, but theirs was even better. What a great match today.