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British Open 2006

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BB73

BB73

Loves Buckeye History
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'16 & '17 Upset Contest Winner
8 guys at -4 right now, including Mickelson, Els, Weir, and Garcia.

They're at Royal Liverpool, a course that doesn't favor the long hitters.
 
Is it as dry and baked as everyone was saying?
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http://www.dallasnews.com
Start of British Open hot as blazes


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[SIZE=-1]02:42 AM CDT on Thursday, July 20, 2006

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HOYLAKE, England – A message to spectators on the big yellow scoreboard at Royal Liverpool said it all: "Fire alert."
Fans have been told to kill their ciggies. But they can, and will, take off their shirts, a most unfortunate development. And players have been denied requests to wear shorts.
Before play began today, the 135th British Open was in danger of going Cheech and Chong on us – up in smoke.
After enduring the longest drought between Opens, Royal Liverpool has a royal drought. Where's the pool?
GolfDay British Open
July 20-23, Royal Liverpool
Nichols: Start of British Open will be hot as blazes
Leaderboard (from official site)
More golf
Inside the ropes
Area: Notes | Calendar | Results
2006 schedules: PGA | LPGA | Champions | Nationwide
2006 statistics: PGA
Texans on tour
More golf


It is difficult to gauge how these unusually hot and dry conditions will affect play. Even before northern England sounded the sirens of a heat warning, telling people to limit their outdoor activities or else melt, Hoylake presented a magical mystery tour to players.
It's not like they were sitting in front of their plasmas watching Roberto de Vicenzo hold off Jack Nicklaus here in 1967. From what we're told, about 250 yards have been added since the great Argentinean shot 10-under 278.
"It's certainly not a place you want to come to to play for the first time," Jim Furyk said. "You need to have an idea on how to play this golf course."
Hoylake, Britain's second-oldest seaside links at 150 years, has that charming design so popular in the Old Tom Morris era.
Back in 1869, you just cut some holes in a plot of land by the water, plant flagsticks – six, 12, 18, whatever – put on the tie and blazer and you were good to go.
If you've stood in a sun-baked field in Lubbock and looked toward Abilene, then you've seen Hoylake's first hole. And second hole. And third.
Astronauts are more familiar with this topography than current American players. Royal Liverpool sets itself apart with its flatness. There seem to be fewer mounds than many other links.
Club selection will be vital. The winner will be the one who best knows how far his iron shots roll.
"I've never seen a course as burnt-out and dry as it is," U.S. player Vaughn Taylor said, trying to speak nicely about his first British Open venue.
"It's definitely a different style of golf. Around the greens you've got to have all kinds of different shots and lies, and if you hit them in the wrong spots in the bunkers, it could get interesting."
Players arrived here knowing nothing about the layout. One of the few certainties – strong sea breezes – has become one of the biggest uncertainties.
Phil Mickelson may have the biggest advantage, because he's been out here playing since losing the U.S. Open on the final hole.
Ernie Els chuckled when he came for a visit a few weeks ago, went to sign in and saw Mickelson's name on the sheet. He had played a couple of days earlier.
"It's very tricky," Mickelson said. "It's optically difficult for us sometimes coming over here to visualize the ball running 60, 80, 100 yards. That's the big challenge, I think."
Hoylake was designed for strong breezes. Bunkers are penal, but wind is responsible for guarding the integrity of any links course.
If it doesn't blow, then look for Tiger Woods' scoring record to get torched.
Just don't let the champion light that victory cigar.
 
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Carnoustie was brutal! I remember Sergio shot over 160 or something. this course may have some hope, the afternoon scores seem to be a little higher than the afternoon. If the wind can pick up on the weekend we may see some guys start to back up. all in all though, as a fan i can't complain. most of the big names are on the leaderboard
 
Upvote 0
Bucklion said:
Surprising...this doesn't seem like a British Open when +2 is almost dead last. I favor Carnoustie myself :biggrin:
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I'm a big fan of St. Andrews, but I guess they can't have it there every year. I'll never forget Constantino Rocca trying to get out of that "road bunker" in the playoff with John Daly in 1995. That was classic.

But then again, maybe David Duval's adventure there was even better. :biggrin:

callahan.jpg
 
Upvote 0
GoBucks89 said:
I'm a big fan of St. Andrews, but I guess they can't have it there every year. I'll never forget Constantino Rocca trying to get out of that "road bunker" in the playoff with John Daly in 1995. That was classic.

But then again, maybe David Duval's adventure there was even better. :biggrin:

callahan.jpg
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Yes I visited St. Andrews...that was a very special trip. I like that one too. I like Carnoustie because the rough is wheat-size, and Rod Pampling was the leader on day one and missed the cut :yow2:
 
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Tiger eagled 18 to get to -5, within 1 of the lead.

Two iron shots got him to the middle of the green on the 560-yard 18th. :yow1:
He did have a ball stay in a pot bumker on 10 (probably was buried), and then got up and down for par. They said he only used the driver once off the tee.
 
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