The Open 2012

Irwinwastheking

Gimpier than Alex and Feeky
Joined
May 9, 2009
Messages
37,067
Location
@jasonmc19
Royal Lytham and St. Annes
15 - 22 July

Darren-Clarke-w-claret-ju-007.jpg

Coverage: Live on BBC TV, HD, Red Button, online and mobile (UK only) and Radio 5 live; text commentary on BBC Sport website (#bbcgolf) and mobiles; watch again on iPlayer

Selected Tee Times
09:09 - Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson
09:20 - Lee Westwood, Yoshinori Fujimoto, Bubba Watson
09:42 - Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia
14:21 - Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Keegan Bradley
14:43 - Luke Donald, Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy
Click to expand...

Always like the open, hard to call a winner for it until after the first day or two.
 
Not the draw he used to be??

Good for me though. I work at 2pm and have the mornings off so I'll get to watch some decent golf before I go.
 
Tiger doesnt seem to happy with the course at all, said some of the holes are nearly unplayable.

Not sure the tee times are any different to the usual format? Considering the defending champ is out first when dya expect Tiger to tee off?
 
Best get the Racing Post on Wednesday if it's tips your after. Their golf guy has been awesome this year. Almost had a 125/1 winner at the weekend.
 
I backed him in the US Open. Never again.

I had a nice result at the weekend with Zach Johnson but this is tough. It's so wide open.
 
It's not for Tiger anyway. Too wild off the Tee to win in a place like this. A straight hitter rather than a big hitter.
 
If he can keep it between the ditches he has a chance. Good solid player.

Harrington could be an outside bet for a top 7 finish here too. The accuracy seems to be coming back.
 
Looking at the field for this. PP paying seven places so I've got to get at least some money back over three E/W bets. One I've gone for's McIlroy. After his first major win it's hard to ever look too far past him. Such proven ability at the top level, you never know.

Then I'm looking at Donald. He's let me down with virtually every major, but apparently this is a course designed more for the accurate hitters rather than the long ones, so Donald could come into play, good weekend too.

Then there's Westwood. Like Donald, I can't remember him ever winning me any money, he always seems to let me down at the majors, but in fairness, he has been there or thereabouts on a few occasions, he was only four shots of first for the US Open, and I think he nearly placed at The Masters.

The other would be Harrington. At 18/1 I'm not too impressed, but he made a great push at the US Open, two shots off the lead, with an under par final round. Also tied for 8th at The Masters, and if conditions are tricky, it could play into his hands.

By the way, despite PP's seven places, Ladbrokes are offering a high number of best prices.
 
I have yet to see McIlroy have a great performance over a full weekend in poor conditions since he turned pro. He seems to play better in the US in the nicer conditions since going over there. It's strange considering he learned the game in windy links courses by the sea.
 
But that's what I find so unusual. He learned the game on windy courses so you would think his game would now suit it.

BTW, I'm not one of the McIlroy haters. Of all golfers I'd love to see him win it.
 
I've chucked a whole fiver on Tiger to win this at 7-1, I'm confident!

Also each way on Kaymer at 33-1 who is coming into some better form and dreamy Dufner at 40-1.

It's so hard to call golf tournaments though. You can only really back Tiger, surely?
 
McIlroy lets himself down with his words and actions once he walks off the 18th [or when he blanks the media entirely as was the case at the US Open] rather than what he does from tee to green.

People tipping Rose again but he is still to prove that he has the mental strength to stick it out and triumph amid the pressure of Sunday at a major.
 
I'll be honest and say I've not watched a huge amount of golf this year as I always seem to be working.

The only thing that could convince me that Tiger is in form is that he's back to moaning in pressers. Usually a good sign.
 
Paddy Power paying right down to seventh place. Woods expected to be 10/1 or higher by tomorrow.
 
Final Picks:

McDowell 36
Fowler 40
Dufner 55
Schwartzel 85
Zach 75 (Had to as I've been backing him all year)
 
Went for McDowell, but my outsider is Hunter Mahan. Very good, straight hitter of the ball. Not mad about the short-game, but I think he's nailed on for a top ten at the least if he drives it as I know he can. Mickleson is also a player I admire hugely, so he's my sympathy pick.

I played the course actually not long ago, and the rough is ridiculous in places. I'm not a fan of rough which basically costs you two shots trying to get out of it. That's not a true test of golf. You can't even reach the ball in some areas. Obviously you shouldn't be in it in the first place, but it costs you too much for a poor shot.

The Open is brilliant nonetheless - 4 days of pure golf.
 
Right, I've decided on Padraig, I just can't decide whether my third will be Donald or Westy.

EDIT: On the toss of a coin, Westwood came out, so that's McIlroy (14s (since drifted to 20/1)), Harrington (18s) and Westwood (12s), all £2.50 E/W
 
Clarke has started with a great tee shot, always nice to see him doing well.


Some of the scores are hilarious, so early signs are that this won't be too easy a test.
 
Can't say I'm overly happy with it. Entertaining as a neutral, but Woods starting so well, and Scott building up such a good lead can't be good for my lads. Doubt the weather'll hold up all that long either.
 
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