By Aaron M Smith
I suppose any golf purist would say that it is only fitting that each year a major golf tournament is played in the country credited with creating the very sport. Which is why this week all eyes will be focused on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry for the 2009 British Open. The course which hugs the coast line of Scotland – measures out at over 7,200+ yards and Mother Nature will certainly be a major factor.
Turnberry is rich in history, having originally been created in the early 1900s. For the most part, the golf course survived 2 World Wars, losing only part of its greenery to aircraft hangars and runways. In fact, most of the links coursed created before the Wars were lost to the combat, – often converted to runways for the Royal Flying Corps.
Turnberry hosts its 4th British Open this weekend. Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus in 1977 which has been referred to as the “Duel in the Sun.” In 1986, Greg Norman captured the Claret Jug for his first major. In 1994, Nick Price sank a 50 foot eagle putt on the 17th to upset Jesper Parnevik for the title.
2009 features a different Turnberry course. To counter improvements in equipment and technology – Turnberry has seen several of its holes lengthened and nearly 20 fairway bunkers have been added to the course. The fairway bunkers have been strategically placed to control players’ length off the tee and will require golfers to be extremely accurate with all of their shots. Add the factor of wind into each player’s round and the course will only reward those who make the right decisions with each shot.
Links courses differ from most of the courses built here in the United States. The courses generally are created along coast lines and are often created on sandy soil. Unlike most courses here in the U.S. – Architects tend to use Mother Nature to design the course, as Link courses are known to have uneven fairways, thick rough and deep, deep bunkers. As a result of being built on coastal locations, Link courses are frequently windy.
Generally Link courses and the British Opens favor players that have the ability hit low, accurate shots – a style of play that is not typical on U.S. courses. Considering that evidence, it is ironic that U.S. players have won 10 out of the last 14 Open Championship.
Starting Thursday, the forecast calls for sun, rain at times, and of course – wind. All we need is a player that can shape his shots and continue to keep his ball out of trouble. That player should also have the strength to get himself out of trouble when needed. Hmm.. I know a player that fits that bill – Tiger Woods. Sound familiar?
Yeah – it sounds familiar, but we ain’t seen much of it lately. Is there any injury list? How’s Paddy looking?
I love the British Open for these types of courses. The elements are never as much a factor as they are on such coastal holes. Those deep bunkers are treacherous.
Funny how many Americans have won the feat, considering how much the design differs on those types. I think that’s a testament to their preparation and skill. You would think playing on such courses all your life might give you and advantage. Apparantly not.
Got to wonder: do these courses favor the long ball or the guy who can handle his short game? Or does it really matter?
Smitty — Sergio Garcia definitely has the ability to punch the ball and keep it low … but eventually he has to putt and … oh well.
Agreed … how can Tiger not be on everyone’s Top 5 list as a contender-favorite to win this tournament???
Rey — these courses favor the straight hitter …. just gotta stay outta the rough and bunkers. And of course if you hit ’em straight AND long here, you’ll be successful.
Reynell – These courses aided by Mother Nature, require such different styles of shots -that really it doesn’t favor long ball hitters.
Like Wally said – it comes down to how accurate are you. The bunkers look more like minature versions of the Grand Canyon. A golfer could jump in one of those things and not be seen for days.
Because Link course are so sandy – drainage is not a problem. These course always dry and the greens are rock hard. I read one golfer describe that if you hit a 150 yard shot like you would on a Non-Links course – you have to take in the possibility that your ball could land and then take a 40 yard bounce. This weekend you will see guys hit low line drive shots that will land 20 or 30 yards short and then run up onto the greens. Guys that are just off the green will be able to use their putters.
Links courses really stretch the imagination of these golfers.
It is ironic that Europeans players are having a hard time winning the Claret Jug in the last 15 years. I agree Reynell – certain attests to the preparation by American players. But then again – one U.S. courses , golfers often have to be creative to move shots, curve shots around obstacle or like me – get out from the trees. So American golfers are constantly using their imagination with their game and I think that helps with their preparation.
Casey – I have a feeling Padraig Harrington will be right in this at the end. Wally – I agree with Sergio. Great until the putter comes into play. A couple of guys that I would keep an eye out for – Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey and Graeme McDowell. They are some of the top European players right now and I think if anyone is going to be up there come Sunday – these will be some of the names.
Watson working the bump and run. Ah yes, the wily veteran getting ahead of the pack.
Let’s hear it for Smitty. Chicago Sun-Times have picked up this post:
https://www.suntimes.com/sports/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=BEZJLVE2CXWTCz15lEi4avF5sCz2r9HKqdqCxdB84hHqndbUGk&bbParentWidgetId=B7hKffsuorcGDKIZK9SoYtK
A good day to play strategic golf and Tom Watson is leading? Wow – where were the Woods and Harringtons of the tour with virtually no wind today?
Great job Smitty! Keep up the good work.
Oh yeah – click on the HYPE IT UP button.
Thanks guys. Does this mean Jay Mariotti is my “colleague” ?? Ugh. 🙂
I was going to toot my horn a little bit as Westwood, Casey and McDowell all finished the first day at -2. But Poulter brought me back to Earth with a resounding +5 round today.
Good to see Tom Watson creating some magic today.. Hopefully he can keep it up. I read an article about him the other day, that even though he won 2 British Opens when he was young – he hated Links courses. It wasn’t until a few years later that he started to play the course instead of the course playing him that he found an appreciation. He went on to win 3 more British Opens. Could #6 be Sunday?? It would be great drama.
Mariotti no longer works for the Sun Times. He works for FanHouse now. Which, they have also linked your stuff too.
Is it possible that there is not the SI jinx, but maybe a Pickin’ Splinters jinx? Twice I have picked Tiger in a tournament to win and this time – he might not even make the cut!!
Now to transfer this to the Yankees and the New York Giants.. 🙂
Smitty – please make plans to write about the Yankees, every team in the AL Central, Brett Favre, Jerry Jones, the UFC, and John Calipari. Preferably in that order too.
That should keep him busy until…hmmm…2011?
I’ll be watching to see if Tom Watson can become the oldest player to ever win a major. He’s 59 I believe.
I wanted to pose a question to some from my favorite TV sports journalist, Bob Ryan. He said that if Watson wins this major, it will hurt the PGA more than anything. A nealry 60 year old man would just make the sport seem as uncompetitive as ever, to very loosely paraphrase what he said.
Thoughts anyone? It would be a great story, but would it set golf back many years if he does win it and the unbeatable Tiger Woods misses the cut?