Portmanock to host the Open?
As far as prepping for further Claret Jug glory, one links course - Portmarnock Golf Club - was immediately pencilled in as the desired examination in the cases of both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
And with the recent decision of the north Dublin club to admit women members, there remains the possibility that the R&A could, at some stage in the future, make the bold decision to take The Open championship to a venue which has staged the Irish Open on the European Tour more frequently than any other course (most recently in 2003).
The R&A’s insistence that the true name of the championship is The Open, and not a colloquialism of adding “British,” would actually advance any desire for Portmarnock to become the first venue outside the UK to potentially host the oldest Major in golf.
“I would love if The Open went to Portmarnock, that would be awesome. The R&A have had events there, the Amateur (in 2019). I think as a venue, the golf course, the proximity to Dublin, the proximity to the airport . . . . it would be a wonderful venue. A lot of things would have to happen to make it happen but I would certainly be on board if that were the case,” said McIlroy of any such possibility.
DeChambeau reveals new bagman
The Scientist is set to experiment with instructor Brian Ziegler - the man who trained him to reach superhigh club speed - as his new bagman, starting at the 149th Open at Royal St George’s.
Although Ziegler is stepping into a new role as Bryson DeChambeau’s bagman, at least the two have had a working relationship in recent years working on the speed side of things along with the player’s swing coach Chris Como.
DeChambeau’s previous caddie Tim Tucker - who was on his bag for the 2020 US Open win and seven other career wins on the PGA and European Tours - dramatically parted ways ahead of the recent Rocket Mortgages Classic. Tucker, it transpires, has plans for a start-up luxury transport business.
Insisting there is no ill will or fallout from the parting of the ways with Tucker, DeChambeau announced his new bagman on social media platforms. “Can’t wait for him to be a part of the journey,” posted DeChambeau in a video clip while jumping into a swimming pool.
Word of Mouth
"I'm excited for it. I like the state that my game is in. I like the way that it's trending, at least. But that being said, it's golf, and it doesn't just continue because you want it to. You have to keep working at it and pushing at it" - Justin Thomas, world number three, looking ahead to this week's 149th Open at Royal St George's.
By the Numbers
2 - There have been only two left-handed playing winners of the Claret Jug: Bob Charles won the 1963 champion at Royal Lytham and St Annes; Phil Mickelson claimed his title in the 2013 championship at Muirfield.
On this day……13th July 2008
Family ties are very important to Graeme McDowell, and he dedicated his win in the Barclays Scottish Open - where a closing round 68 for 271, 13-under-par, gave him a two stroke winnng margin over South African James Kingston - at Loch Lomond to his father, Kenny.
“This is just unbelievable. It was a really tough week’s golf with such a stacked field. I’ve never had a two shot lead coming down the last and I much prefer it to the stress and drama I normally put my mum (Marian) and dad (Kenny) through. it’s great to have them here . . . . my dad first put a club in my hand aged seven and he’s been with me for 20 years, through thick and thin. He just retired last Friday. This is my retirement present to him!”
Know the Rules
Q - In playing a hole, Player A's tee-shot barely makes contact with the ball and moves only a matter of inches and remains within the teeing area. In playing his second shot, Player A puts the ball back on a tee peg. Is he permitted to do this?
A - Actually, yes he is! Rule 6.2b(6)/a - Ball that comes to rest in teeing area does not have to be played as it lies - covers such an eventuality. Since the ball is in the teing area, the player may play the ball as it lies or, even though the ball is in play, may move the ball to any other spot within the teeing area and play from there without penalty. The play may also place the ball on a tee or adjust the height of the tee the ball is resting on.
Twitter Twaddle
69, 68, 67 and was aiming for 66 today but the weather had other plans. Another top 15 in the books and thank you @MarathonLPGA for a great week. Looking forward to teaming up with @Patty_MPT this week at @DowGLBI Team name suggestions are welcome!! - Leona Maguire, after a tied-15th finish in the Marathon Classic which moved her to 12th on the CME Globe order of merit on the LPGA Tour (with season's prize money of $564,206). Maguire teams up with Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit in this week's Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
Nice week to finish an enjoyable week @ScottishOpen @EuropeanTOur Hit the ball nicely all week, just a few more puts and play the Par 5s better who knows. A nice week off unfortunately watching @TheOpen on (TV). But need to play better to get back there - Ross Fisher might have been a tad quick with his Twitter fingers, as a serious of withdrawals have edged him ever closer to a call-up (he is third reserve).
Can't say how much I'm enjoying working with @Renaissancegc team and Tom Doak. It's a lofty goal at the Renaissance Club to have a challenging course for the pros while still being fair and playable for the amateur - Padraig Harrington somehow managing to juggle his playing itinerary, Ryder Cup captaincy with a role as consultant on improving the course design at the host venue to the Scottish Open.
In the Bag
Min Woo Lee - Scottish Open
Driver - Callaway Epic Speed (9 degrees)
3-wood - Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (15 degrees)
Utility - Callaway X21 Pro UT (2)
Irons - Callaway TCB Raw (4-PW)
Wedges - Callaway JWS MD5 (52, 54 and 60 degrees)
Putter - Odyssey White Hot OG#1
Ball - Callaway Chrome Soft X
