Topic: The Golf Thread

[Statto Red]

See you at Hoylake 2023

[4pool]

Wouldn’t mind seeing Rory win one again but would quite like to see Hovland win his first. Just as long as it’s not a Cameron.

Nice call..lol.

[El Lobo]

Yeah…that’s a borderline bottling

[John C]

See you at Hoylake 2023

Ballot closes soon

[Gerry Attrick]

nah. He has his head on straight

Any of the players who have ever turned up for the regular event have question marks. Certainly wouldn't say it's head on straight stuff. As you see if you look through the leaderboards from previous years they're full of players who've jumped ship. He's a possible...

[WhereAngelsPlay]

He Spursed it.

[Andy82lfc]

Yeah…that’s a borderline bottling

We will never know for sure but yeah fair shout, -2 on a course offering birdie chances galore, not good enough and he has a track record of bottling.

Cameron was absolutely nerve-less.

[Lone Star Red]

Smith just went out there and won it. That’s not a bottlejob by Rory.

-8 on Sunday at the 150th open with an openly pro-Rory crowd, are you kidding me? Just insanity.

[Crosby Nick]

Nice call..lol.

He’s more of a Cam.

Seems alright too. He fully deserved it for that back 9.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Smith just went out there and won it. That’s not a bottlejob by Rory.

-8 on Sunday at the 150th open with an openly pro-Rory crowd, are you kidding me? Just insanity.

Smith won it alright but Rory handed it to him,-2 on a day like today isn't good enough for a final round.

[stockdam]

Smith just went out there and won it. That’s not a bottlejob by Rory.

-8 on Sunday at the 150th open with an openly pro-Rory crowd, are you kidding me? Just insanity.

Claims of McIlroy bottling it are ludicrous. Smith was phenomenal and holed everything on the back 9. His putt on 17 was brilliant as was his up and down at 18. On the other hand, McIlroy burned the hole many times; he didn’t put a foot wrong but he just couldn’t hole a putt.

[skipper757]

70 wasn't a terrible score, and Rory didn't play badly.  If both Cams shoot good scores of 67, Rory wins.  But then again, if Hovland shot a 67, he would've won.

St. Andrews isn't hard to score at these days, and while Rory didn't have a massive chasing pack right behind, anyone close going really low could be a problem (someone like Dustin Johnson shooting a 64 would've matched Rory's 70).  While you'd normally not be fretting about people shooting 64 or 30 on a back nine, conditions this week were primed for that possibility.  Rory played fine, but he was always at risk if players can go really, really low, and both Smith and Young managed it.  On another day, Hovland goes low and wins by a landslide.  In the end, Rory didn't play himself out of contention or anything but just didn't have enough putts in him to deal with players shooting mid-60s scores.  It happens.

[Lone Star Red]

Smith won it alright but Rory handed it to him,-2 on a day like today isn't good enough for a final round.

Sure, an argument can absolutely be had that Rory wasn’t good enough on the day. That’s not bottling it though. He shot -2 on Sunday at the Open, he didn’t van de Velde the damn thing. 

[Fordy]

Oh Rory! What a chance missed.

He will be gutted as today. Shouldn’t be losing when leading with that chasing pack.

[Yosser0_0]

People seem to be forgetting Smith never holed anything yesterday, whereas McIlroy had quite a bit of luck, he just wasn't good enough overall.

[stockdam]

Sure, an argument can absolutely be had that Rory wasn’t good enough on the day. That’s not bottling it though. He shot -2 on Sunday at the Open, he didn’t van de Velde the damn thing. 

Agree. Rory missed a lot of makeable putts but none were easy. Smith made almost every putt that he could have on the back 9 which was the difference. Tee to green there wasn’t anything in it but Smith’s putter won him the tournament. In fact it was Smith who played the road hole badly and needed a long putt to save his par. I was amazed that Young got so close as he was all over the place but holed good putts.

Of the leaders it was Hovland who had a poor round. He didn’t hole any putts and his tee to green game was poor. He is a very good player and is capable of winning a major.

[John C]

Nice of Cameron to thank the volunteers when the chairman only thanks his fellow board members and sponsors the daft prick.

I think he mentioned the 7000 volunteers?

[fowlermagic]

Great play by Smith to win it as the lad was on fire. Unbelievable under pressure as time and time again he was clutch. Young was feeding off him and both spurred each other on to an excellent final round.

Rory issues with his putter and wedges became apparent again when under pressure as he could have easily laid up to 100 yards on many of the holes but he didn't. He's had a brilliant year again as very consistent in the majors. Once he gets over the disappointment he can look back and see he's turn his game around from top 10 in the world to nearly the main man again.

[Nobby Reserve]

I think anyone with such a dickish haircut and stupid, fluffy 'tache should be forbidden from winning anything, anywhere.

Looks like a sister-marrying redneck from some buttfuck American shithole state.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

I think anyone with such a dickish haircut and stupid, fluffy 'tache should be forbidden from winning anything, anywhere.

Looks like a sister-marrying redneck from some buttfuck American shithole state.

Aussies love a mullet.

[goalrushatgoodison]

Didn't help that he played with Hovland, who was terrible and sucked the energy out of the group.

Think Hovland was definitely a factor, As well as been shit he was also excruciatingly slow! cant take anything away from Smith though, a fantastic player who delivered on the day.

As an aside, does Harry Diamond, Rory's caddy, actually do anything other than carry his bag? Seems to be stealing a living to me.

[Juan Kerr]

Nope he doesn't, but that's down to Rory and what he wants.

[4pool]

Looks like Sergio is going to take his ball and go home. He's not liked anymore.




Sergio Garcia said on Sunday he is set to quit the DP World Tour amid the fallout over the Spaniard's decision to join the controversial rebel series LIV Golf.


Garcia, who holds the record for the number of points won at Ryder Cups, would also be forfeiting his chance to participate in the biennial clash between Europe and the USA should he resign from the tour.

"The truth is I am quite sure about what I am going to do with the DP World Tour, I will probably leave it," said Garcia after finishing the British Open on two-under-par on.

"I want to play where I am wanted. I like to feel loved and in the European Tour I don't feel loved at the moment."

Garcia was just one of 24 players signed up to the LIV circuit to play in the 150th Open Championship in St Andrews this week.

However, their path to play in the majors could soon be blocked if LIV events are not awarded world rankings points.

"If I don't play the majors then I don't play them. In truth, that doesn't bother me much," Garcia said.

"It would be a shame to not play the Ryder Cup, but playing as I'm playing, I wouldn't be playing it anyway."

The 42-year-old ended his wait for a major win at the Masters in 2017, but saved his best for the Ryder Cup, where he was part of six European wins.

However, he said it was a clash with one of his former Ryder Cup captains Thomas Bjorn at the BMW International Open in June that has led to his decision to leave the tour.

"Thomas Bjorn came to us in the BMW Championship and said 'all the players don't want you to be here'" said Garcia.

"That isn't nice and I am at the age where I won't stand for nonsense like that."

[Lone Star Red]

Stenson on the verge of joining LIV and also being stripped of his Ryder Cup captaincy. Thought it meant more to the Euro’s?!

[Barneylfc∗]

Smith just went out there and won it. That’s not a bottlejob by Rory.

-8 on Sunday at the 150th open with an openly pro-Rory crowd, are you kidding me? Just insanity.

It's a bottle job by Rory, yet again.

He'll have known the whole way around what scores others were on and couldn't get it done.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

Rory thought he only had to beat Hovland. It was as if he was playing matchplay. Once the damage was done it was too late.

Anyone else getting Petis Allis viobes from Faldo on commentary? And what has Montgomerie done wrong, not heard from him commentating in ages? And calling Laura Davies Dame all the irritating in the extreme by Sunday.

[Funky_Gibbons]

When you look at the scores posted by the top 10-20 players yesterday, -2 is below average really.

McIlroy had plenty of birdie opportunites with mid-range putts but didn't hole any of them while Smith looked like someone who has complete confidence in their short game.

"Rory McIlroy hit every green in regulation on Sunday—and two-putted every green on Sunday." 

[Red-Soldier]

Rory thought he only had to beat Hovland. It was as if he was playing matchplay. Once the damage was done it was too late.

Anyone else getting Petis Allis viobes from Faldo on commentary? And what has Montgomerie done wrong, not heard from him commentating in ages? And calling Laura Davies Dame all the irritating in the extreme by Sunday.

Complaining about the British establishment whilst watching the Open 

[Crosby Nick]

When you look at the scores posted by the top 10-20 players yesterday, -2 is below average really.

McIlroy had plenty of birdie opportunites with mid-range putts but didn't hole any of them while Smith looked like someone who has complete confidence in their short game.

"Rory McIlroy hit every green in regulation on Sunday—and two-putted every green on Sunday." 

Think that’s fair more than saying he choked. He may have wanted lower than 70 but at the same time at the turn he looked well in control. Don’t think he dropped a shot all round so it’s not like he went to pieces like that time he blew a lead at Augusta.

Smith just went on a phenomenal run but it was only by about the 17th that McIlroy suddenly ‘had’ to make a putt. That’s never really been his strength. That one he missed early on was pretty critical looking back.

[paulrazor]

I think it is a bit lazy to be saying Rory bottled it, he didnt make  any bogeys. I would understand if he was missing putts from 4 feet, little bit of an injustice to Smith as well to say Rory bottled it.

LIV I see rearing its head again

The Garcia stuff it was a bit nasty from Thomas Bjorn to be saying that but Garcia has made his bed so he can lie in it, Cant have much sympathy for him when he says he is not bothered if he doesnt play in the majors.

It does worry me LIV will ruin the Ryder cup, Several future captains have joined so that will be them ruled out (Westwood, McDowell, Garcia and Poulter), and it looks like Stenson decided to sell out too. I do wonder who will replace them, Luke Donald will be probably nailed on now and maybe Paul Lawrie or Robert Karlsson down the line.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

Complaining about the British establishment whilst watching the Open 

Not that, it was just a bit of a shit nickname I thought.

[Gerry Attrick]

I think it is a bit lazy to be saying Rory bottled it, he didnt make  any bogeys. I would understand if he was missing putts from 4 feet, little bit of an injustice to Smith as well to say Rory bottled it.

LIV I see rearing its head again

The Garcia stuff it was a bit nasty from Thomas Bjorn to be saying that but Garcia has made his bed so he can lie in it, Cant have much sympathy for him when he says he is not bothered if he doesnt play in the majors.

It does worry me LIV will ruin the Ryder cup, Several future captains have joined so that will be them ruled out (Westwood, McDowell, Garcia and Poulter), and it looks like Stenson decided to sell out too. I do wonder who will replace them, Luke Donald will be probably nailed on now and maybe Paul Lawrie or Robert Karlsson down the line.

LIV will kill the team events stone dead soon. America have top class players coming out of their ears, they've more than they know what to do with. Europe doesn't have that. They've already taken out half of Europe's potential captains for the next 2 decades and probably more to come. If they get hold of the current playing talent at any point it'll be a waste of time. Europe wouldn't get 10 points without a Rahm or McIlroy.

[paulrazor]

LIV will kill the team events stone dead soon. America have top class players coming out of their ears, they've more than they know what to do with. Europe doesn't have that. They've already taken out half of Europe's potential captains for the next 2 decades and probably more to come. If they get hold of the current playing talent at any point it'll be a waste of time. Europe wouldn't get 10 points without a Rahm or McIlroy.

Hovland and Fitzpatrick will step up next time I am sure. Lowry and Hatton can hold their own. Fleetwood maybe too but I feel like I am clutching at straws

Need a few more to come through

Also a flip side is if some of the Americans arent allowed play for selling out too. It would rule out Koepka, Reed, De Chambeau, Johnson. Even without them Rome could be a massacare

I do feel we could witnessing the beginning of the end of Ryder cup, shame as I am obsessed with it

[Gerry Attrick]

Hovland and Fitzpatrick will step up next time I am sure. Lowry and Hatton can hold their own. Fleetwood maybe too but I feel like I am clutching at straws

Need a few more to come through

Also a flip side is if some of the Americans arent allowed play for selling out too. It would rule out Koepka, Reed, De Chambeau, Johnson. Even without them Rome could be a massacare

I do feel we could witnessing the beginning of the end of Ryder cup, shame as I am obsessed with it

Thing is I'd say only DeChambeau and Johnson would be certain to play their way in everything being equal anyway. The top 20 is absolutely packed with Americans if they lose a few it's no big deal and they're just churning them out non stop.

[paulrazor]

Yes looking at the world top 20 you have several new players potentially in Sam Burns, Billy Horschel, Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young

[Fiasco]

Huge day for McIlroy. Never will a major course be set up to favour him like this again. You have eagle chances on about 7 holes. His driving is his main asset and on a course that has no defence to it, he's been clinical. He's yet to throw in a silly mistake to derail him and if he keeps his tempo the same as he has so far then Hovland and any chasers will have to shoot a 64 or better to win IMO.


I've said it more than once but so much of it is in his head with the majors. 8 years without one. Coming into this he was the favourite, in red-hot form, he was the golden prince in terms of his response to the danger of LIV and the course as I said is perfect for him. I don't want to say it is now or never, but this is the best chance he'll have to break that major drought.

I said one of his chasers will have to shoot a 64 and Cam Smith did exactly that. Rory didn't throw it away in a meltdown sense, he just tried to play prime Tiger golf on a major Sunday: make no mistakes, chalk off the holes and force your opponents to make the errors. But he failed to grasp that the course was yielding low scores and he was sat in cruise control while Cameron Smith flew down the outside. Once he noticed him it was too late. His putter was cold as ice, he two putted every single green! That isn't going to get it done unfortunately. As Lee Trevino said, drive for show, putt for dough.

The course was set up for Rory and the big hitters. Rory, Cameron Young, Hovland, DJ, DeChambeau were all inside the top 10. Of course the course was made easier by the shorter holes and the fact it was baked out, but the course was perfect for Rory. The wind didn't get up. It gave plenty of chances with minimal defence. Yet when it truly mattered on a Sunday with a lead his putter didn't fire and he let it slip away. He will be hurting like you wouldn't believe right now.

I just have little faith he'll ever win another major. He's had many golden chances since his last one and he just can't get it done.

[Nobby Reserve]

The Europeans who've joined the muderous dictatorship sportwashing farce are all in their 40s and fading.

European Ryder Cup teams would need to replace these players anyway.

As for the captains, if there is a shortage of potential new captains, there's nothing to rule out returning to the situation of the captain taking chage more than once. It always seemed like the move to just one term was to be able to fit in all the former players who wanted to be captain.

[Crosby Nick]

The Europeans who've joined the muderous dictatorship sportwashing farce are all in their 40s and fading.

European Ryder Cup teams would need to replace these players anyway.

As for the captains, if there is a shortage of potential new captains, there's nothing to rule out returning to the situation of the captain taking chage more than once. It always seemed like the move to just one term was to be able to fit in all the former players who wanted to be captain.

Bring back Tony Jacklin!

But yeah, due to our success it suddenly felt we had a lot of former legends who wanted a crack at it. The player drain is more of an issue, especially if any younger players get their heads turned.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

At this stage, subject to further defections, to make it meaningful and competitive, they might want to make it the rest of the world v America. It just won't be the same though.

[paulrazor]

The Europeans who've joined the muderous dictatorship sportwashing farce are all in their 40s and fading.

European Ryder Cup teams would need to replace these players anyway.

As for the captains, if there is a shortage of potential new captains, there's nothing to rule out returning to the situation of the captain taking chage more than once. It always seemed like the move to just one term was to be able to fit in all the former players who wanted to be captain.

I do think a lot of captains simply only want it once rather than a case of people getting turns.

The days of Gallacher and Jacklin doing it 3/4 times are well gone, loads wanted Paul Azinger to do it again and he showed no interest. Tom Watson did it again and it didnt work out. I know since mid 90s the likes of Sam Torrance and Lanny Wadkins were happy to be done after one go.