Posted on 07/13/2009 9:05:30 PM PDT by cleveland gop
Time for the year's 3rd major championship(already)and the only one of the 4 that is not played on this side of the Atlantic.
This year's event takes us to the west coastline of Scotland, to Royal Turnberry Golf Club where I'm sure the weather will have a lot to do with who wins and who doesn't win.
So what storyline is going to be written this time.....
Can Padraig win for the 3rd year in a row? Is Tiger going to tie his buddy Roger and win his 15th Major? Can Greg Norman turn the fountain of youth on again, but keep it on Sunday too and shock the world? Or do even bigger underdogs, like John Daly or David Duval revisit past glory? Or do stars like Paul Casey, Sergio, Ernie, Anthony Kim or others get the big prize come Sunday night?
Who do you think will hold the Claret Jug come Sunday??
Early weather forecast for the weekend, intermittent rain showers with highs in the low 60's.
Tiger tees off at 4:09AM EDT(9:09AM BST)on Thursday.
(Excerpt) Read more at opengolf.com ...
TV AIRTIMES(ALL TIMES EDT)......
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY(7/16-17)---ON TNT, 6:30AM Preview show(Thurs. only) LIVE and TAPED COVERAGE BEGINS AT 7:00AM AND GOES TILL 7:00PM
SATURDAY(7/18)--7:00-9:00AM ON TNT, and 9:00AM till play concludes ON ABC..... SUNDAY(7/19)--6:00-8:00AM ON TNT, and 8:00AM till play concludes ON ABC
I find the opengolf.com website great to get all the info you need. If someone who is a little more computer literate than me wants to post some tee times, or anything to liven up the thread, please do, and thanks!!!
24-year old German Martin Kaymer is playing mad golf and won the last two European tour events including this past weekend’s Scottish Open. The kid is long, controlled and cool as a cumcumber.
I wish Phil were there. I hope Amy and his mom get well.
pingaroo......
Of course Tiger is always the favorite, but in a "Tiger vs. the field" situation I'll take the field this time. ...considering his putting hasn't been quite up to par.
I'll be rooting for Kenny Perry.
Lee Westwood. He’s due.
I would not mind seeing Sergio or Kim win it this year.
Fastest ever.
My longshot pick: 20-year old Rory McIlroy.
I think everyone wishes Phil were there. But of course family has to come first and hopefully Amy and his mother are on the road to a quick and speedy recovery.
You’re right about Martin. He’s got Bernard Langer in him and that isn’t a bad thing. His game is rock solid right now. Wouldn’t it be cool if Rory McIlroy can win in his back yard? You can be sure those on hand will want that to happen.
How about if Steve Stricker can complete his complete turnaround with a major in his back pocket?
It’s too bacd I was posting 11 while that was going on......
My mistake!! But it’s nice the thread is off to a riproaring start!!!
I don’t think a longshot at all. The kid’s got mad game and he’s playing in his back yard, literally.
They played an interview with him on Golf Channel just now and most betting sites there have him 2nd, behind Tiger.
Betting sites on the other side of the pond? Emotionally-driven wagering. ...and who can blame them? The kid is going to be great. But he's quite not there yet. Same with Kim. ...although I'd give the slight edge to Rory in that duo looking at the long term.
It turns out, of course cause I’m watching Golf Central now that Lee’s caddie, Billy Foster as a fundraiser for cancer research WALKED the 90 miles in between Loch Lomond(where last week’s event, the Scottish Open was played)and Turnberry. Foster, who carried a bag of Lee’s clubs the entire way was greeted by several players upon arriving at Turnberry. Most notable of those, Darren Clarke who lost his wife to cancer nearly 3 years ago was there as Foster dedicated the fundraiser in her memory.
In total, $55,000 was raised by Foster in the last 5 days. It’s really easy to root for Lee now, don’t you think?
There are a lot of great young players on that side of the pond to be sure.
Yeah I really like Phil. The fans in NY were great and he came so close at Bethpage and at the Masters. His sunday front 9 at the Masters was incredible. I wish he was there but family comes first.
It was a German weekend with Langer winning too. Another super guy. Very active in his church and their is a seniors ministry with Langer, Fred Funk and maybe Jay Haas. Very low key. They speak at local churches where the seniors tour is playing. Great guy, very family oriented and does not spoil his kids. Very German reserved like Martin.
Martin has a great game and he is young.
Kaymer was at the Masters last year and Arnie comes up and says “are you the German?”. I am not sure if Palmer is German American but lots of Germans in PA.
Rory and Paddy are too of my faves. Rory winning would be incredible. The kid is great, mature and very nice. Parents came from modest circumstances but were not pushing him obnoxious like Michelle Wie’s parents.
Rory was playing PGA in West Palm. He and his mom and dad went to the nearby mall and saw Jack Nicklaus in the parking lot. Jack was gracious and Rory’s dad was thrilled.
Stricker is back from the dead. It would be amazing. Maybe even Duval though his personality is an issue. I think he just has problems with people as he hides behind the sunglasses.
If the weather is bad than Rory and Paddy might have an advantage. Poulter almost stole it last year and played well. Westwoo’splaying weel and lots or great UK golfers.
Stricker represents us 40 somethings so I don't mind if he continues his streak.
Mrs S was pulling hard for Zach Johnson to win his own “5th major” last weekend, he's ripe for a win.
For me, if Phil ain't here it's Tigger all the way.
You betcha! Thanks for that background story. This will be a fun tournament, I hope. The US Open was tough to watch with all the bad weather.
cg’s frealess predictions for the Open Champioship.....
Chances for rain on any of the 4 days.....85%
Chances that Tiger doesn’t make the cut....0
Chances that food and beer run out in John Daly’s hotel room....100%
And now some picks please.....
Retro darkhorse, Greg Norman. Why not again? Just finish the deal.....
Other darkhorse, Jose Maria Olazabal. If he wins, he gives the Claret Jug to Seve, just because......
Euro contenders, Kaymer, Donald, Harrington, McIlroy....
Other non-American contenders, Goosen(has something to prove after last week), Appleby
American contenders not named Tiger.....Kim, Stricker. Perry, Curtis(for some stupid reason is always contending in majors), Furyk....
And your winner(if it isn’t Tiger)is................
PAUL CASEY!!!!!!!
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