Golf

[ArdeeBhoy]

Amazed no-one has jumped on to the bandwagon.
Especially re.the Brit.Open winner earlier.
Fair play to Clarke. He seems more like a fat bloke you'd meet down the pub.

Not a sport I have great time for however, though it is starting to be disturbingly undermined over the passage of time.
:eek:

[OwlsFan]

Really enjoyed the Ryder Cup yesterday evening. It is amazing the way momentum can go with a team within the space of 5 minutes. During one such period the Europeans sank 4 difficult putts and the whole match turned around. Olazabal suddenly went from being the whipping boy of the Sky and British media generally to being an "inspiration".

I have to say I couldn't believe Tiger on the last hole in the last game. Sure, Europe had retained the Cup but the USA still had a chance of drawing the match which to me would be some consolation. After a poor putt he concedes a three footer to Molinari which allows Europe to win the hole and win (rather than just retain) the Trophy. He just didn't seem to care. I would not have been a happy team mate and we were denied the drama of the Italian having a putt to win the Ryder putt.

A great comeback by Europe and I never thought I'd get excited by seeing a German sink a 6 footer to win a match. And far less shouts of "in the hole" as the day progressed. Sport at its best for most of the day.

[Real ale Madrid]

I have to say I couldn't believe Tiger on the last hole in the last game. Sure, Europe had retained the Cup but the USA still had a chance of drawing the match which to me would be some consolation. After a poor putt he concedes a three footer to Molinari which allows Europe to win the hole and win (rather than just retain) the Trophy. He just didn't seem to care. I would not have been a happy team mate and we were denied the drama of the Italian having a putt to win the Ryder putt.



Almost the exaxt same thing happened in 1969 when Nicklaus and Jacklin went down the 18th with the matches tied at 15.5 each - Nicklaus had 5 feet for birdie and Jacklin had a 2 foot putt for a birdie also.

Nicklaus holed his putt which secured at least half a point and the tie, thus earning the US a tie overall and the retention of the trophy, however instead of looking at Jackin's 2 footer ( which had he missed would have given the American's the outright win ) he picked up his marker - thus conceeding the putt, and the matches finished 16-16. While some of the American's were none too pleased with it - it was generally lauded as a fantastic act of sportsmanship, but fast forward to Sunday and Tiger didn't care ? I think Woods can do no right at this stage regarding the media and the general public. I thought it was a nice gesture - and Molinari wasn't going to miss that putt anyway. I don't think it mattered much in the end.

[OwlsFan]

I think Woods can do no right at this stage regarding the media and the general public. I thought it was a nice gesture - and Molinari wasn't going to miss that putt anyway. I don't think it mattered much in the end.

Surely the nice gesture, if he wasn't going to miss, was to allow him take the putt that would win the Ryder Cup. However, it was by no means a gimme and Molanari's weak point is his putting (apparently) and as Captain of that team I would be real disappointed if I had a chance of a draw rather than an outright defeat and one of my players lost the chance.

Retaining the trophy is the poor man's winning it imho. It brought home to me that Tiger is not really a team player as has been said about him many times before. I doubt if it really crossed his mind. He missed his putt and that's all he cared about. The record book shows a win for Europe while there was an outside but reasonable chance of it having been a tie.

[NeverFeltBetter]

As reported in the news today, a lot of betting money was won/lost on Woods action as well.

[Dodge]

As reported in the news today, a lot of betting money was won/lost on Woods action as well.

Woods (rightfully) doesn't care about gamblers. Nice gesture.

A few years ago Paul McGinley made a similar gesture. I was on the other end of that gambling wise but its nice to see golfers not worried about their own records.

[Real ale Madrid]

Retaining the trophy is the poor man's winning it imho.

When Kaymer holed the putt to take Europe to 14 points I wonder did the tears and jubilation on behalf of the team beside the green reflect the draw or was a single player worrried about Molinari / Woods up the fairway?

Winning / the tie at that stage was academic, to everyone apart from the punters and Woods bashers.

Does Christy O'Connor's 2 iron in 89 take on less of a significance just because the matches themselves were tied ? That shot is on the wall of virtually every golf club in the country i'd say.

Fair play to Woods - an act of true sportsmanship.

[Stuttgart88]

No sympathy for the bookies. The last game has been halved or conceded on "gentlemanly" terms in the past and that's just something they have to factor in.

Payne Stewart conceding a huge putt to Monty in Brookline is a notable example. Stewart had recognised that Monty was feeling awful and was on the wrong end of all kinds of abuse from the crowd, and it was a very sporting gesture at the end of a keenly fought game.

[Crosby87]

If Tiger gets DQ'd from this tourney i will laugh. Bad drop. President of CBS is definitely in a panic right now.

[strangeirish]

Two shot penalty, should have been DQ'd. If he was black, oh wait...I mean if was 14 and Chinese he'd be half way to China by now.

[Crosby87]

I think he has to WD. Everyone of note on twitter is saying he needs to do the right thing. Dont know if thats fair though. USGA knew of the problem before he signed his card. so why not say something to him?

[BonnieShels]

Do the right thing?

Bull!

He has been penalised and that's that done with! The USGA made a hames of it and they shoudl just get on with it now.

If he was to win the Masters after taking a 2 shot penalty it would be an achievement beyond anything and he should be applauded.

In saying that... I bloody hate golf and my head is done in with talk of it today.

[Real ale Madrid]

Thankfully a great finish to the tournament last night after Tiger got away with cheating and the rules committee penalizing a 14 year old kid from china for slow play.

The slow play penalty took the biscuit for me, It's amazing how Jason Day wasn't penalized over the weekend, his group lost a full hole to the group in front on Saturday, and I swear to jaysus he took a nap before playing his approach on 18 last night. What a clown!

Delighted with the finish - Cabrera was a little unlucky with his pitch on 18 in the 1st playoff hole - but you couldn't begrudge Scott - top player and seemingly a top person as well.

[Ballymoreman]

I'm off to the Irish Open at Carton House on Friday. Never been to an Irish Open before so really looking forward to it.

[Crosby87]

Clarke could be named Ryder Captain tmrw.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/ireland-set-to-have-another-ryder-cup-captain-tomorrow-30999920.html

[Crosby87]

Tiger is going to play the Masters. Should be interesting.

[swinfordfc]

Tiger is going to play the Masters. Should be interesting.

No it wont - he wont make the cut! - actually by a good distance!

[Crosby87]

He's worth putting a sawbuck on.

Lexi Thompson on golf digest. I love her. My pants were down in seconds. Unfortunately i was in a barnes and noble.

https://www.google.com/search?redir_esc=&client=tablet-android-verizon&hl=en-US&safe=images&oe=utf-8&q=lexi%20thompson&source=android-browser-suggest&qsubts=1428249317438&action=devloc#hl=en-US&q=lexi+thompson+cover&imgrc=DDBen553iXJEqM%253A%3Bundefined%3Bhttp%253A% 252F%252Fl3.yimg.com%252Fbt%252Fapi%252Fres%252F1. 2%252F9tGYJI6bQZOo3qfjggBDIg--%252FYXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYwMA--%252Fhttp%253A%252F%252Fl.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fpubl ish-images%252Fsports%252F2015-04-02%252Fa903bec0-d955-11e4-8be0-39482c9052d0_golf-digest-may-2015-cover-1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fsports.yahoo.com%252Fbl ogs%252Fgolf-devil-ball-golf%252Flexi-thompson-appears-provocative-golf-digest-cover-163216363-golf.html%3B600%3B787

[Crosby87]

That's one hell of a round for Spieth so far.

[swinfordfc]

It was .... but long way to go!

[passinginterest]

Was a bit of a strange round from what I saw. Spieth hit woeful drives on 13 and 14 but had a lot of luck with where they ended up and pulled off unlikely birdies. Then on 15 he hit it down the middle and made an unlikely bogey before a birdie at the last which hardly anyone else managed. If he shoots low again today it could be more or less all over, but it seems to be a pretty rare event to go very low two days in a row at a major.

Always good to see some of the old favourites turning on the style, Els still making it look easy and Tom Watson at 65 years of age going around in -1. None of the Irish lads completely out of it, they all have a chance to make the cut at least.

[Crosby87]

-14 now?

[passinginterest]

-14 new record low after 36 holes. The Crenshaw scenes were very emotional on 18. Rory is not enjoying himself. Tiger looks like he might really be back.

[Crosby87]

I can't believe he is going to romp like this. Something has to happen right? Paulina Gretzky step up!

[Crosby87]

Ha ha. Aer Lingus screws British Open golfer....

http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2015/7/14/8959669/graham-delaet-lost-golf-clubs-british-open-2015

[SkStu]

Or as we call him, "Saskatchewan's own, Graham DeLaet".

On another note, one thing that I will always detest North America for is its insistence on pronouncing Graham as Gram. And pronouncing Craig as Cregg.

[Crosby87]

It annoys me when people say the "t" in often. It's silent.

[nigel-harps1954]

It annoys me when people say the "t" in often. It's silent.

That makes no sense whatsoever. You get annoyed when people pronounce a word properly? The "t" is very much not silent.

[Crosby87]

Check this out you salty *******.

http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2007/07/often.html

[Crosby87]

Here. This is right.

http://www.forvo.com/search/often/en/

[Crosby87]

Irish amateur Paul Dunne with a hell of a day so far....no bogeys thru 11 six under....and Harrington is right behind him....

[Crosby87]

Dunne catching fire.

http://espn.go.com/golf/theopen15/story/_/id/13283770/amateur-paul-dunne-shares-open-lead-jason-day-louis-oosthuizen

And yes i checked it out and he is Richards third cousin, once removed. Allegedly.

[Crosby87]

Check out the body on Paige Spiranac....she's trying to make the lpga...

http://bustedcoverage.com/2015/07/10/introducing-the-hottest-golfer-youll-ever-see-paige-spiranac-from-san-diego-state/

[Crosby87]

Allenby, caddie argue, go f yourself, split mid round.

http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/13309953/robert-allenby-fires-caddie-heated-confrontation-canadian-open

[Crosby87]

Rory had a tough choice on who to represent at the 2016 Olympics.

http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/13360027/olympic-choice-weighed-heavily-rory-mcilroy

[OwlsFan]

I stuck with the Ryder Cup for a few hours yesterday. Some great play but I felt that McIlroy let himself get too involved with the USA supporters rather than concentrating on his game. It was amazing though how at one stage all the USA putts would go in and then the momentum would switch back to Europe and then back to the USA with every putt being holed. Good viewing even if the constant shouts of "get in the hole" became a bit irritating. I think Darren was sold a bit of a pup there when he became captain because a USA win was way overdue.

[KrisLetang]

This is pretty funny as Gribble deals with a Gator on the course. And I don't mean Tim Tebow.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2017/03/17/pga-golfer-cody-gribble-slaps-alligator-on-course.html

[KrisLetang]

Tigers life: Ugh.

http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170529164642-02-tiger-woods-mugshot-exlarge-169.jpg

[osarusan]

Brandon Grace hit the holy grail of 62 today at the British open.

But, isn't it a bit different when par is 70 rather than 72?

[Real ale Madrid]

Brandon Grace hit the holy grail of 62 today at the British open.

But, isn't it a bit different when par is 70 rather than 72?

Well I suppose it is but - given the history involved and the fact that there were 31 "63s" - it is still a major milestone. It is the lowest number of shots taken in a major but it is not the lowest round to Par - the 63s that were -9 were:
1. Gary Player 1984 USPGA Shoal Creek
2. Nick Price 1985 US Masters
3. Paul Broadhurst 1990 Open at St. Andrews
4. Greg Norman 1996 US Masters
5. Jose Maria Olazabal 1996 USPGA Valhalla
6. Rory McIlroy 210 Open at St. Andrews
7. Hiroshi Iwata 2016 USPGA Whisling Straights
8. Justin Thomas 2017 US Open Erin Hills

[OwlsFan]

They have to do something about the slow play of Spieth though. He consults his note-book. Then his caddy consults his note-book etc etc. No wonder golf viewing figures are dropping. Good viewing nonetheless even if I was surfing between the Women's World Cup Cricket Final.

[osarusan]

Well I suppose it is but - given the history involved and the fact that there were 31 "63s" - it is still a major milestone. It is the lowest number of shots taken in a major but it is not the lowest round to Par - the 63s that were -9 were:
1. Gary Player 1984 USPGA Shoal Creek
2. Nick Price 1985 US Masters
3. Paul Broadhurst 1990 Open at St. Andrews
4. Greg Norman 1996 US Masters
5. Jose Maria Olazabal 1996 USPGA Valhalla
6. Rory McIlroy 210 Open at St. Andrews
7. Hiroshi Iwata 2016 USPGA Whisling Straights
8. Justin Thomas 2017 US Open Erin Hills

Yeah, i understand it, and a number like 62 sounds better than a number under par.

It would have been nicer if it had happened on a 72 par course though.

[Real ale Madrid]

Yeah, i understand it, and a number like 62 sounds better than a number under par.

It would have been nicer if it had happened on a 72 par course though.

I think it was a significant achievement given the winning score was -12. No doubt it would have been better on a par 72 but how many par 72's are on the major roster these days ? Apart from Augusta - and they ain't setting up for ten under par anytime soon.

[Stuttgart88]

They have to do something about the slow play of Spieth though. He consults his note-book. Then his caddy consults his note-book etc etc. No wonder golf viewing figures are dropping. Good viewing nonetheless even if I was surfing between the Women's World Cup Cricket Final.

Me too. Cricket final was very exciting. India really blew it I think.

[OwlsFan]

Me too. Cricket final was very exciting. India really blew it I think.

Yes they had it won, then got the jitters and looked as if they would lose, then fought back and then collapsed again. Good stuff. The interview of the England/Wales captain at the end was bizarre though and shows the madness of Sky TV. They got all the team up on the podium after introducing each and then we await the cup to be presented but no, the captain is then called over for an interview, with the team all standing on the podium waiting for the cup. Do the interview afterwards. There was also no big shot (e.g. royalty etc) on hand to present a World Cup to a UK side. Poor form.

[KrisLetang]

So you felt like there were crickets during the interview?