Tee times, pairings Open, Rounds 1-2
The Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews' Old Course
(
Associated Press
)
ST. ANDREWS: Then again, should the dateline read University Place, Wash.?
Louis Oosthuizen paired with Tiger Woods? Weren’t they lead actors the first two days of the recent U.S. Open at Chambers Bay?
Jordan Spieth with Dustin Johnson? Didn’t they dominate the spotlight on the final day at that same championship?
Yes, indeed, and just in case you didn’t get enough of them out there in the Pacific Northwest, guess what?
Those in charge of the draw at the 144th Open have put Oosthuizen and Woods together again for the first two rounds. They’ll go off in the 9:55 a.m. game , with Jason Day as the third member.
Though it’s a group that in some respects makes sense, given that Woods (2000, 2005) and Oosthuizen (2010) have combined to win each of the last three Opens at St. Andrews, the way those first two days unfolded at Chambers Bay makes this a dubious choice.
Woods struggled mightily on Thursday and shot 80, while Oosthuizen posted 77. The fact that Rickie Fowler, the third member of the group, had 81 provided ammunition for those who theorised that Woods’ play dragged everyone down.
Oosthuizen did recover to follow that 77 with 66-66-67 and finish in a share of second, but clearly the first day hurt him tremendously. (Woods followed with a 76 to beat just one other golfer of those who finished 36 holes.)
Curious, the R&A decision to toss Oosthuizen right back in there with Woods, but pairing Spieth and Johnson in the 9:33 game (with Hideki Matsuyama) also smacks of Chambers Bay flavour.
Spieth birdied the 72nd hole, then held on to win by one when two groups later, Johnson three-putted for par at that same 18th hole.
While Spieth has been basking in the glory ever since, including a victory at the John Deere Classic on Sunday, Johnson has been replaying that missed eagle roll, then that errant birdie try, putts that could have beaten or tied Spieth.
If the two of them had thought of putting the U.S. Open behind them and getting on with this British Open business, it will be difficult now that there is this great fodder for the next few days.
In other news about the draw, the honor of playing beside Tom Watson, who will tee it up for his final British Open, was extended to Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker. Normally, with such an illustrious elder statesman such as Watson, 65, a five-time winner of the Claret Jug, that would indicate for Els and Snedeker the chance to pose for photos on the Swilcan Bridge in Friday’s second round, but not so fast when it comes to Watson. After all, he nearly won this thing in 2009 and has made the cut in three of the last four.
Watson, Els, and Snedeker will go off at 8:33 local time.
In other games of note, Nick Faldo, who said this will be his final Open at St. Andrews, will go off at 2:45 with fellow Englishman Justin Rose and Fowler, who won Sunday at the Scottish Open.
Just before that game, at 2:35, will be Phil Mickelson with Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar.
The honoUr of the first starting time, 6:32am on Thursday, has been afforded Thomas Bjorn, Greg Owen and Rod Pampling.
The Open, of course, does not split its tees, so everyone will go off of No. 1, with times running till 4:13 p.m., a span of 9 hours 41 minutes.
TO VIEW ALL THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TEE TIMES FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
CLICK HERE
Louis Oosthuizen paired with Tiger Woods? Weren’t they lead actors the first two days of the recent U.S. Open at Chambers Bay?
Jordan Spieth with Dustin Johnson? Didn’t they dominate the spotlight on the final day at that same championship?
Yes, indeed, and just in case you didn’t get enough of them out there in the Pacific Northwest, guess what?
Those in charge of the draw at the 144th Open have put Oosthuizen and Woods together again for the first two rounds. They’ll go off in the 9:55 a.m. game , with Jason Day as the third member.
Though it’s a group that in some respects makes sense, given that Woods (2000, 2005) and Oosthuizen (2010) have combined to win each of the last three Opens at St. Andrews, the way those first two days unfolded at Chambers Bay makes this a dubious choice.
Woods struggled mightily on Thursday and shot 80, while Oosthuizen posted 77. The fact that Rickie Fowler, the third member of the group, had 81 provided ammunition for those who theorised that Woods’ play dragged everyone down.
Oosthuizen did recover to follow that 77 with 66-66-67 and finish in a share of second, but clearly the first day hurt him tremendously. (Woods followed with a 76 to beat just one other golfer of those who finished 36 holes.)
Curious, the R&A decision to toss Oosthuizen right back in there with Woods, but pairing Spieth and Johnson in the 9:33 game (with Hideki Matsuyama) also smacks of Chambers Bay flavour.
Spieth birdied the 72nd hole, then held on to win by one when two groups later, Johnson three-putted for par at that same 18th hole.
While Spieth has been basking in the glory ever since, including a victory at the John Deere Classic on Sunday, Johnson has been replaying that missed eagle roll, then that errant birdie try, putts that could have beaten or tied Spieth.
If the two of them had thought of putting the U.S. Open behind them and getting on with this British Open business, it will be difficult now that there is this great fodder for the next few days.
In other news about the draw, the honor of playing beside Tom Watson, who will tee it up for his final British Open, was extended to Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker. Normally, with such an illustrious elder statesman such as Watson, 65, a five-time winner of the Claret Jug, that would indicate for Els and Snedeker the chance to pose for photos on the Swilcan Bridge in Friday’s second round, but not so fast when it comes to Watson. After all, he nearly won this thing in 2009 and has made the cut in three of the last four.
Watson, Els, and Snedeker will go off at 8:33 local time.
In other games of note, Nick Faldo, who said this will be his final Open at St. Andrews, will go off at 2:45 with fellow Englishman Justin Rose and Fowler, who won Sunday at the Scottish Open.
Just before that game, at 2:35, will be Phil Mickelson with Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar.
The honoUr of the first starting time, 6:32am on Thursday, has been afforded Thomas Bjorn, Greg Owen and Rod Pampling.
The Open, of course, does not split its tees, so everyone will go off of No. 1, with times running till 4:13 p.m., a span of 9 hours 41 minutes.
TO VIEW ALL THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TEE TIMES FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
CLICK HERE
Labels: OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Monday, July 13, 2015
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