2018 British Open Championship at Carnoustie

[Shindig]

Dear Sergio,

That isn't what the tour means by "bounce back."

[ChrisP]

Not sure if Tiger can make a run using nothing but irons off the tee. Hitting 225+ approaches into greens hole after hole makes it tough to make a string of birdies. May need to change the strategy over the weekend if he's going to have any prayer, especially with the quality of guys above him.  That being said, I would say he's played two pretty good rounds given how long his approach shots have been. He's played 15-18 better than most.

Edited July 20, 2018 by ChrisP

[Shindig]

3 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

Not sure if Tiger can make a run using nothing but irons off the tee. Hitting 225+ approaches into greens hole after hole makes it tough to make a string of birdies. May need to change the strategy over the weekend if he's going to have any prayer, especially with the quality of guys above him. 

Me neither.   He's better than I am at finishing a hole when he has 225+ for many approaches, but ... well, duh  

That second shot at 18 felt nice, but... maybe if he doesn't qualify for Firestone he can spend the week working on driver to improve his chances at Bellerive. 

[billchao]

7 minutes ago, Shindig said:

That second shot at 18 felt nice, but...

That's part of the problem IMO. He hits one like that and it makes him think the strategy is viable. He's playing more like a guy that's afraid of losing his tour status than a guy that's trying to climb up the leaderboard. He needs to start taking risks if he wants to make a run instead of relying on trying to hit great approach shots.

[Shindig]

6 minutes ago, billchao said:

That's part of the problem IMO. He hits one like that and it makes him think the strategy is viable. He's playing more like a guy that's afraid of losing his tour status than a guy that's trying to climb up the leaderboard. He needs to start taking risks if he wants to make a run instead of relying on trying to hit great approach shots.

You're right.  It's his level's version of someone who hits one 250 yard drive into the middle of the fairway and tells his friends he'd be better if he could just be more consistent like that... 

[Piz]

Fleetwood looks a lot taller in band pictures.

[Wally Fairway]

It will be interesting to see how the late rounds go, and where the cut falls.
Right now there are 71 players at +2 or better, +3 there are 89 players, and +4 balloons to 108.
So the cut-line projection on theopen.com is currently at +2, but it will certainly go to +3 and if enough carnage happens with late tee times then +4 is possible.
If that happens the 108 number will decrease as many at even to +3 are just getting underway.

FWIW - here is the cut-line for The Open -

• There is just one cut, which takes place after 36 holes.
• Any player in 70th place or better (including ties) makes the cut and will continue to play the final 36 holes. Anyone in 71st place or worse is cut.

[ChrisP]

Fowler throwing darts at these pins right now. Birdies are definitely falling.

[RussUK]

Anyone know why Duval withdrew? (not 'cos he was playing crap was it?)

[ChrisP]

I’m usually up on most golfers...

but who tf is Xander Lombard?

[Wally Fairway]

1 hour ago, ChrisP said:

I’m usually up on most golfers...

but who tf is Xander Lombard?

Someone you would not expect to be leading The Open

 

[HJJ003]

Great putt by Rose to make the cut...he spent most of his day on the beach.

[ChrisP]

Strange top of the leaderboard. Lot of what I would call "Second tier" Americans up there. Finau, Perez, Schauffele, Kisner, Chappell...guys who show up high on leaderboards usually once a month and have 1 or 2 wins apiece. Given the weather predicted for Sunday, I think tomorrow is going to be all about getting within a few of the lead, not so much having the lead. Sunday has trainwreck written all over it. 

[MrGolfguy67]

Notable (interesting) 3rd round pairings:

B. DeChambeau - H. Stenson

R. Cabrera Bello -  B. Langer

L. Westwood - M. Leishman

B. H. An - K. Na (palindrome group?  An/Na)

S. Cink - L. Oosthuizen

R. Fowler - ThunderBear Olesen

[Aflighter]

6 hours ago, ChrisP said:

Not sure if Tiger can make a run using nothing but irons off the tee. Hitting 225+ approaches into greens hole after hole makes it tough to make a string of birdies. May need to change the strategy over the weekend if he's going to have any prayer, especially with the quality of guys above him.  That being said, I would say he's played two pretty good rounds given how long his approach shots have been. He's played 15-18 better than most.

I think he has done the right thing because if he had used driver more he possibly wouldn't have made cut.First thing you need to do is play weekend if your gonna have shot especially since they not running away with lead.

[Zeph]

In scoring conditions it might not be enough, but if the weather gets worse on Sunday, pars can be valuable.

17 mph winds on Sunday afternoon could turn things upside down. 

Edited July 20, 2018 by Zeph

[GrandStranded]

How do you get to be Tiger and still not know how to hit driver? Considering he's about 120th in proximity to the pin with his approach shots, he's scored well. His plan makes it so difficult to be better then even par, it seems.

[Shindig]

Tiger and Phil in consecutive groups tomorrow (8am eastern, give or take).