The 137th British Open Championship (golf)

Golf chat...

I've just put money on Furyk. Therefore he has nil chance.

Quite a round for everyone today. Horrible conditions but, that is what I love about The Open Championship. Appalling behaviour by both Sandy Lyle and Rich Beem who both walked off the course because they were having bad rounds. Great example they are setting there.

I am still going for Garcia or Mediate

I like Mr. Geoff Ogilvy´s chances this years.

I agree with you Crawlie. Was shit chat especially from Lyle, dont imagine he will be looked on favourably for Ryder Cup captaincy now! Rightly so. Feel for that guy (forget name) who was one shot off qualifying for this at loch lomond last week when the likes of Lyle just saunters off.

Also most of the guys who had the shit weather this morning are shaping up to have shit weather tmrw afternoon too. Unlucky. Saw an absolutely belter of a 2 iron go only 168yards into the wind!!

I know what I'm doing tomorrow

Not sure "that guy" would have got in anyway. Lyle qualifies as a past champion as I understand it - his place is guaranteed.

sure, but had he got in or any of the other masses who would kill to play at the open i'm sure they wouldnt sod off after 9 holes!! plus it must be infuriating to see someone who does prequalify take the piss out of the people who have come to watch him especially.

I went around Carnoustie once in weather that was truly awful. If I hadnt paid for it and been with three others I'd have given up on the 14 th or 15th.

At one point i really felt like crap as the wind buffeted me and the rain ran down my back and my waterproofs were waterlogged and I was soaked to the skin in over most of the body. I didnt see Lyle on the TV and how he looked but I was in my late twenties and he's in his late fifties so if he was even remotely close to how I felt I really dont blame him that much.

When I got in from that round back to the hotel to change, as we walked in the front door of the hotel the concierge (or it might have been a doorman) looked visibly shocked as we walked in. He really didnt expect anyone to still be out on the course.

I sat under the hot shower for 20 minutes to get some warmth back into my body.

Lyle does qualify as a past champion but if he had pulled out beforehand a replacement would have been sought, i.e. the next in line from the qualifiers. The field is always the same size regardless.

He should be disqualified from next year's event as a result. He offers nothing to the field and has done nothing for golf for quite a few years now. He will, unfortunately, not be missed. I say unfortunately because he once was a great golfer who will always be remembered for THAT bunker shot at the 18th in the last round of The Masters. Amazing shot.

I'm sorry but as a past champion he deserves his spot. Full stop. He deserves the respect if for that alone.

Dunno about being not missed, he has his name on plenty of golfwear that many use.

Apart from that, would you deny Nicklaus or Palmer their place on the tee?

with respect, you are not a pro golfer nor have people following you.

160+ players started out, why didnt they all just say "Oh fuck it" and walk off then?!!! dread to think how many thousands work their balls off to try and get there.

he has gone way down in my estimations, i hope monty gets the ryder cup captaincy instead of the one lyle was hoping for and that the fan base lyle has who would have been keen to follow him all tournament find someone better to cheer on.

I think Lyle has realised he will never be the Ryder Cup Captain, Montgomorie will of course be that at some point, that said, what's your point?

im just saying that i hope the r&a take note of it. he was hoping to get the captaincy (a major contender at least), correct me if im wrong? i think today he behaved like a dick and doesnt deserve it now.

Actually, Lyle had a very good chance to become Ryder Cup captain and has been touted for a few years now.

Would I deny Nicklaus and Palmer et all their place on the tee? Yes. They will never offer up a surprise anymore and are just there for a bit of nostalgia. A complete revamping of the qualifying system needs to be considered so that the ACTUAL competitors are given priority over the has-beens.

I used to think the oldies should qualify automatically until I actually watched how painful it was to see them stumble and stutter around the course knowing that they would be going home after two days. Give the younguns their chance to potentially shine

My presumption is that the R&A are politically wise and will act accordingly.

However, past winners have earned their slot, just my view.

Do you mean ALL past champions or just the perceived greats of golf? Look at some of the champions over the years and look for what they have done besides that. Paul Lawrie, Todd Hamilton and similar golfers have almost disappeared totally from the scene save for the odd top 25 finish in some unimportant event that none of the top golfers are interested in.

Give them exemption for 5 or 10 years but not for life. Ridiculous

I think I should have earned my slot for starting this thread.

Crawlie, Golf is one of the few sports in the world that offers a small oasis of respect and recognition of deeds done, however long ago they might be.

Shame that in a world that demands excellence NOW that we might forget or despatch players who brought the game to where it is now.

Please allow the last game in the world that shows respect and values tradition to meander through commercialism and hard nosed finances to at least pay some homage to past greats eh?

Well you probably have as much chance of winning it as Sandy Lyle ever will again

It's not about Lyle or Faldo or Nicklaus or anyone else winning it, it's about tradition and respect.

fair play, i just hope the chelsea pensioners dont get called up into action again.

I am all for tradition and respect but when you see a has-been like Lyle make a mockery of this "tradition and respect", you really have to ask yourself whether an alternative solution can be found.

I saw Jack Nicklaus walk over the bridge at St Andrews and bid farewell to the public after over 50 years of excellence and knowing i was witnessing a gentleman and a one time genius and giant of the game, Golf retains it's place in the hearts of many because of that respect. QED.

I'm all for tradition and respect except when I'm not?

Well, if you "edit" the sentences to suit your response then you can get whatever you want. Quote the full sentence and then respond. I said that I am all for it but when Lyle pulls a trick like that then he is just a has-been in my book. Disgraceful behaviour. Nice try though.

And, Dave, you cannot compare a legacy created by Jack Nicklaus who himself said that he would only compete if he felt he could with Sandy Lyle who had a bad day and was getting a bit wet so just gave up and annoyed many. QED

Blimey. Chris Evert must be doing something right as Greg Norman is having a storming open. Now that is all nostalgia and respect or whatever. MInd you, Greg is also one of those oldies who has always said he will only play if he feels he has a chance of competing and making the cut.

Looks like Schotte's bet may not be such a bad one after all.

Open ( no pun ) apology to Crawlie.

Yeah the guy was an arse having now seen it.

Greg Norman, always loved that guy, the Great White Shark!

Is anyone watching this? I can't get it on BBC today. The Shark is struggling, but still has a chance.

Yep, watching it now.

Harrington just looks so composed and it's his to lose. +5 against Norman and Poulter +7

Just playing the 17th and both in play.

Edit: Padraig just hit the shot of the Open with a wood from the fairway in to a few feet from the pin.

Gotta be all over, eagle for Harrington at 17th and now 4 shots in front of Poulter with Norman in 3rd currently.

I do wish the morons greenside would stop the ' in the hole ! ' shout though.

Tis all over, Irish eyes are smiling as Harrington retains the Claret Jug.

Well deserved. Nice guy, great golfer.

Bleurgh!
I blame the half hour hold up...