Xander Schauffele hits his second shot on Sunday on the 18th gap at Royal Troon.
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TYPING QUICKLY BECAUSE TENNENT’S IS CALLING, N.Y., USA — My buddies and I play a sport. Maybe you do too. For us golf-playing folks, it’s a part of what makes golf-watching partaking, since you marvel:
What would I shoot?
What would I shoot at Augusta? What would I shoot at Pinehurst? Shoot, what would I shoot at any of those professional ballparks? The reply, in fact, is “many” — however the dialog amongst my gang normally meanders to the place we’d play the worst. Maybe it will be ANGC. I’ve gotten votes for Harbour Town because of its claustrophobic corridors. I’ve heard ideas on Kapalua due to its unevenness.
But Royal Troon would possibly simply be on the prime.
How many pictures would I rack up from the coffin bunker? Would I simply choose up?
Where would my ball go on 11? The gorse? The hay? Into a commuter-train seat?
How the hell would I survive a day like Saturday afternoon at Troon, with the winds slapping down hopes and the clouds unleashing tears? I imply, hearken to those that strapped on their golf sneakers that day:
Said Dustin Johnson: “I mean, the back nine, that’s the hardest nine holes I think you could ever play in golf right now, into the wind and rain — I mean, it’s so long I could barely reach — the par-4s, I had to smash 2 to get there, same with Brooks [Koepka]. That’s how long it was playing.”
Said Matthew Jordan: “I don’t quite know how to summarize it just yet. That back nine was just so tough. I was hitting clubs into there from yardages that I probably did when I was like 13, 14. It was just a complete grind.”
Said Mackenzie Hughes: “Yeah, it’s really tough. Very difficult because every single shot requires attention, focus. Even the little basic ones. Yeah, you’re just fighting for every single shot. It’s a long, grueling day, and happy to be done.”
That all being stated, that is kinda why … we play golf, although. The problem. The survival. If we are able to play it right here, we are able to play it anyplace.
And we certain do like watching one of the best often strategy a few of our scores.
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As we glance again on the Open Championship week that was, we’ll make that commentary No. 1 then. Let’s attempt for 49 extra as we submit up on the house workplace. There is motivation to complete, too. I’ve found the Vale Public House, within the Hamilton Heights space of NYC. It’s a Scottish-flavored pub.
With Tennent’s Lager on faucet.
The thought is to publish this piece with one hand on the keyboard — and the opposite holding a pint.
2. Here’s one other phrase, although, from Hughes on Saturday:
Asked a reporter: “How about the spectators sitting through this out there. On 18, did you hear some people yelling your name and there were some Canadian flags?”
Answered Hughes: “Yeah, it was humorous as a result of on 18 — possibly it was 16, I used to be speaking to my caddie, [and] I stated, it’s wonderful how many individuals are out right here on a day like at this time when it’s simply completely piss climate. They’re all right here. They need to see the golf. It’s robust to look at golf in this sort of climate, I’m certain, whenever you’re beneath your umbrella.
“But they were out there. They were a pretty cheerful bunch for the most part, given the weather.”
Cheers to that.
3. Here’s one other phrase on Tennent’s.
According to this story here written by Bunkered’s Michael McEwan, the brew was nowhere to be discovered at Troon.
No cheers to that.
4. I used to be rooting for the Justin Rose and Billy Horschel storyline. For the vets. For Rose getting a crack at main No. 2. For Horschel getting a crack at his first. For one other shot. For not letting go as you become older.
This hit me:
Asked a reporter: “You just said one key word there about dreaming, the ability to dream. At this stage in your career to be here in the Open, the greatest tournament, to be able to go to bed tonight thinking of the dream still alive …”
Said Rose: “It’s still my dream. In a few years, it’ll be someone else’s dream. But yeah, still my dream right now. Great opportunity to go live it out tomorrow.”
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5. All of that made me marvel: When did I begin cheering extra for the olds? When did that flip?
Hmm, let’s hold this concerning the golf — and never about my 40-something psychological state.
6. This is a pleasant segue to Tiger Woods, although.
I believe I’ve two ideas right here, after the 15-time main winner missed the Open lower, his third MC in 4 main begins this 12 months.
I believe he contends once more. Maybe as quickly as subsequent April, on the Masters. He’ll refuel. He’ll recalculate. He’ll play extra subsequent 12 months. Making a run will not be not possible. Who’s higher mentally than him, in any case? He can handle a pair under-par rounds, and there you go.
7. But I ponder if Woods thinks he’s bullet-proof. The alphas at all times do.
This might get ugly.
Twenty-two years later, the moment below continues to be in my head.
8. Let’s speak concerning the winner. Was Xander Schauffele’s weekend the most effective ever? He fired a 69 on Saturday, when the likes of DJ, Hughes and Jordan all suffered, as famous above. Schauffele then closed with a 65 — Sunday’s low spherical by two strokes.
Killer.
9. Speaking of that, there was this change:
Asked a reporter: “Your California mellowness, do people mistake that maybe there’s more fire inside than we can see?”
Answered Schauffele: “Yeah, I like — I imply, everybody in my household is aware of how aggressive I’m. I is probably not the man operating round fist-pumping, however that’s simply who I’m. I form of know the way I must be to carry out at a excessive stage.
“The same way I don’t get really angry, I also don’t let myself get too over the moon because to me, it’s the same thing. If I’m sitting there snapping a club, that would be the same as me running around fist-pumping. It would take too long for me to adjust before my next shot to hit a good one. I’ve kind of embraced this sort of SoCal, laid-back kid, but there’s obviously a fire burning deep within, or you wouldn’t have a couple majors sitting by your side.”
10. So how excessive does the Schauffele main tally attain? Three? Six?
Or simply the 2?
One particular person near the scenario had a thought right here:
“He’s only halfway there,” Schauffele’s dad, Stefan, advised GOLF’s James Colgan. “I might say the one with the best potential for the profession grand slam.
“How about that?”
Let’s put the over-under whole at 3.5.
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11. Does Jordan Spieth win one other main?
Let’s put his over-under quantity for future majors at 0.5.
(You may also give that very same quantity to Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Sam Burns and Cameron Young.)
12. Does Justin Thomas win one other main?
Let’s put his over-under quantity for future majors at 1.5.
(You may also give that very same quantity to Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland.)
13. Ludvig Aberg would possibly win like eight majors. Or zero.
There’s additionally a crop of Aberg-like machines coming.
14. I like the concept of Schauffele re-evaluating the method. He thought he wanted extra velocity — so he hit the fitness center. He thought he wanted one other voice within the room — so he introduced on Chris Como. Some gamers don’t try this. Some persist with the identical strategies, hoping for various outcomes, which, sure, is the definition of madness.
15. Let’s speak Rory McIlroy.
In this case, there’s no want to vary a lot. Maybe a tweak right here. Maybe a change to the workforce there. But majors are onerous. Golf is troublesome. He’s pretty much as good as they arrive.
16. GOLF’s Sean Zak wrote a beautiful examination right here.
17. There’s additionally the true chance he by no means will get previous Pinehurst.
18. But right here says he wins the PGA subsequent 12 months at Quail Hollow. He wins there seemingly yearly. It’s a lay-up.
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Right?
19. This change was notable:
Asked a reporter on Friday, after McIlroy missed the lower: “There’s a lot of players out there really toiling, some of the best names in golf like yourself. Was there a point where you became quite philosophical about what was happening and looked at it in the bigger picture?”
Answered McIlroy: “Yeah, I believe as soon as I made the eight on the 4th gap, that was it. Twenty-two holes into the occasion, and I’m desirous about the place I’m going to go on trip subsequent week.
“Yeah, that was basically it. I mean, I knew from then I’d sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t going to shoot, whatever it is, four- or five-under from there on in to make the cut.”
20. This change was additionally notable:
Asked a reporter on Friday, after Robert MacIntyre performed his first 4 holes throughout the second spherical at eight-over — then performed his remaining 12 holes at four-under: “Did you think you had any chance of being here for the weekend?”
Answered MacIntyre: “When I made that eight on 4, my head was fully gone. Then you’re standing on 5 going between a 4-iron and a rescue, and also you’re truthfully attempting to simply — attempting to make bogeys as an alternative of doubles and triples that I used to be making.
“I didn’t think I was going to make the weekend, but Mike said, look, fans are here to watch. Just give them what they want, a severe dig and fight, and that’s what I done. I just tried my best and managed to turn it around.”
21. Loved watching Thriston Lawrence pumping driver all around the yard on Sunday.
22. Can Marlboro please sponsor Dan Brown so he may be … the Marlboro Dan?
Sorry.
23. Is Jon Rahm on the best way again, after a tie for seventh? Was his main season — tied for forty fifth on the Masters; missed lower on the PGA; WD on the U.S. Open — a blip?
24. Is Dustin Johnson on the best way again, after a tie for thirty first? Was this main season — missed lower on the Masters; tied for forty fifth on the PGA; missed lower on the U.S. Open — a blip?
25. How will we consider Cam Smith this main season (tied for sixth on the Masters; tied for 63rd on the PGA; tied for thirty second on the U.S. Open; missed lower on the Open Championship)? Or the marketing campaign of Koepka, the one-time king of golf’s greatest occasions (tied for forty fifth on the Masters; tied for twenty sixth on the PGA; tied for twenty sixth on the U.S. Open; tied for forty third on the Open Championship)?
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26. If you’re blaming LIV Golf for the above outcomes, go forward. Of course, there’s additionally Bryson DeChambeau, who was near successful three majors this 12 months.
I believe the purpose is, none of us know the way LIV is affecting play fairly but. Is the looser environment messing with aggressive juices? Maybe. Is that very same vibe unlocking one thing? DeChambeau would agree there.
27. Is Scottie Scheffler the PGA Tour participant of the 12 months? Or Schauffele?
Schauffele. Two majors > one main.
But if — if — Scheffler’s putter is on, he’s one of the best participant within the sport. By loads.
28. Whom will we speak to get Tony Johnstone on U.S. broadcasts?
GOLF’s Alan Bastable, in the meantime, is a Sam Torrance fan.
29. Let’s dive into a number of the sights.
Troon, Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch noticed, has this bunker-rake setup:
30. All the feels right here, from Koepka:
Here, too:
31. Yes, Prestwick Airport is near Troon, as Golf Digest’s Jamie Kennedy noticed right here:
32. This was elegant:
33. This was wild:
34. This was nice:
35. How many instances do we expect the prepare is definitely hit?
36. Let’s hearken to a number of the finest quotes.
Here’s this change between Shane Lowry and a reporter, began by the reporter:
“Are you a good front-runner?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m a good runner,” stated Lowry, laughing.
“I don’t know. I put myself there in a few big tournaments, and I’ve managed to knock them off. So I’ve done it a few times. I don’t know. It’s hard to win tournaments. We’ll see. I’ll tell you Sunday evening.”
37. Here’s this, from Ewen Ferguson, on the highs and lows of the sport:
“So hard, so hard, because that’s this game. That’s mental. That’s why my psychologist is here with me somewhere. I just talk to him and just keep myself in a decent kind of mind because I think I’m quite an excitable guy, and when I’m doing well, I’m happy and everything is great, but then when things aren’t, I’m like, slow down, but the margins are so bloody small in this game. You never know when it’s going to go your way.”
38. Here’s this change between McIlroy and a reporter, began by the reporter:
“You mentioned earlier that you met Tiger for the first time when you were 15. Do you ever sort of sit home and think like how surreal it is that that 15-year-old lad has now become fairly close mates with Tiger Woods? And like it was said earlier, like a global superstar?”
“Yeah, I get reminded of it or I remind myself of it every day,” McIlroy stated. “I at all times say this, and it sounds cliche, however I don’t take it as a right that I can get up day-after-day and attempt to dwell out my childhood dream. And one among my childhood desires was to satisfy Tiger Woods, however not solely that, to compete in opposition to him and to befriend him and turn into near him.
“Yeah, not in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d end up in the position that I’m in, but I’m very grateful for it. I still have to remind myself a lot that this is my life.”
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39. Here’s this change between Schauffele and a reporter, began by the reporter:
“Before winning the PGA, did the idea of winning a major feel more daunting than maybe a normal Tour event?”
“You put more emphasis on it,” Schauffele stated, “but daunting is not really how I would view it. We’re playing golf out here, you know what I mean. It’s not like anyone’s dying after they don’t shoot the round of their life.”
40. Here’s Schauffele, on enjoying by Saturday’s tough circumstances:
“I’m lucky. I love playing golf, and I love my job, and I love playing over here. For me, it’s all fun, and I just try to have as much fun as possible even on a day like today.”
41. Here are just a few fantastic reads from my colleagues on the Troon grounds.
Here’s Zak once more, on Rose.
42. Here’s Colgan, on the Schauffeles.
43. Here’s Michael Bamberger, on the week’s actual winner.
44. And beneath is a couple of half-hour of video from Scotland, through Zak and Colgan, by the “Seen and Heard” franchise:
Monday and Tuesday, please click here
Wednesday, please click here
Friday: please click here
Sunday, please click here
45. Was the Open the 12 months’s finest main?
Here’s my rating of the 4:
1. Open Championship (hyperlinks, drama, Sunday funday)
2. U.S. Open (the most effective remaining rounds you’ll see)
3. Masters (one other good remaining spherical, DeChambeau lifted an indication)
4. PGA Championship (good remaining spherical, too many birdies, unlucky information off the course)
46. So who wins subsequent 12 months? Let’s give this a go:
Masters: Aberg
PGA Championship: McIlroy
U.S. Open: Joaquin Niemann, if he qualifies
Open Championship: Aaron Rai
Rai? A sentimental choose, and you’ll learn why right here.
47. So how did the predictions go this 12 months?
You may be the decide. After every of the majors, I wrote comparable “observation” tales, and I made picks in every. Here’s what I had:
After the Masters: PGA Championship, Scheffler; U.S. Open, Will Zalatoris; Open Championship, Koepka
After the PGA Championship: U.S. Open, Scheffler; Open Championship, Koepka
48. Major season isn’t over, although.
Gimme Gemma Dryburgh on the Women’s Open. She’s a Scot. And they’re enjoying at none apart from St Andrews.
Dryburgh? A sentimental choose, and you’ll learn why right here.
49. Then there are these bets:
50. I obtained my Tennent’s, as you may see within the pic beneath.
Sara Ziegler
Cheers!
Editor’s observe: I additionally wrote observations from the Masters, the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. You can learn the Masters story right here, the PGA Championship story right here and the U.S. Open story right here.
