News
Tales of Turnberry
By: JB Audi , GolfWRX.com
If history repeats itself, we are in for an exciting weekend at Turnberry, site of this week’s Open Championship. The three previous winners, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, and Nick Price, were all ranked #1 when they claimed the Claret Jug at the famed Ailsa track. Turnberry has not hosted the Open since 1994 and has had to make alterations to toughen a golf course that had become perfect for guests of the five-star resort but not worthy of “rotation” status for the Open Championship. They claim that this mission has been accomplished by extending the length of several holes and tinkering with the design of others. That being said, we can still expect plenty of birdies down the stretch, assuming the wind allows. Based on history (and recent play) Tiger figures to be in the hunt. The question is, who will join him?
The Veterans
Padraig Harrington – Has there ever been less media attention for a proven player attempting to three-peat as Open Champion? The golf world needs to accept the fact that this guy is nails under pressure and deserves respect for being one the best players in the world.
Tale of the tape: Despite winning Irish PGA event this week he previously missed five cuts in a row. The streak ends.
Kenny Perry – Masters gag may actually help this viable vet if his long, straight driving can lead to red numbers. Being long enough to fly the fairway bunkers at Turnberry is a key factor.
Tale of the Tape: The golf gods do not approve of players that do not commit to crossing the pond on regular basis – no chance.
V.J. Singh – Why hasn’t this guy ever contended for the Claret Jug?
Tale of the tape: Have you ever seen him hit a low stinger? Me neither. Hitting a high ball leads to many “high balls” next to a cozy fire after a long round at the Open Championship.
Jim Furyk – He is in contention at too many majors not to add more wins to his resume.
Tale of the tape: Alley dog will grind his way to leader board on Sunday but lack of birdies will again prevent him from victory.
Henrik Stenson – smooth Swede was money down the stretch at the Players and is due for first major win.
Tale of the tape: Can and will contend.
Geoff Ogilvy – Unflappable Aussie has the game and mental fortitude to add a second major to his list of accomplishments.
Tale of the tape: See below
Young Guns
Paul Casey – Has finally shown that he can close for big tournament victories but has not contended on Sunday in a major to date.
Tale of the tape: Has the ability to go low on any venue and should be in the mix but lack of mental fortitude will keep him from delighting the locals (those that actually like England, that is).
Anthony Kim – Finally making some noise after a slow start due to off-season injuries. Has the game and fearlessness to win.
Tale of the tape: Should be on the board come Sunday if he can avoid the occasional hook off the tee.
Rory McIlroy – A victory for this phenom would be a great way to inject some much-needed excitement to an otherwise dull first half of golf season. Has the game and seems to expect success when he steps between the ropes.
Tale of the tape: Would not be a surprise if he comes away with victory.
Camillo Villegas – Streaky player with enough success to feel comfortable near the lead on Sunday.
Tale of the tape: Can he sink putts when he needs to?
Hunter Mahan – Could have won Open with a few decent bounces. This guy has loads of talent with few weaknesses.
Tale of the tape: Should be in contention.
Tiger is the clear favorite to win his fourth Claret Jug. Turnberry is the most “Americanized” of the Open venues with smooth, well-manicured greens. This will bode well for Tiger as the rest of his game is in good form. Needs to be closer to the lead after two rounds than he has managed in first two majors.
J.B.’s pick – Geoff Ogilvy. Has great variety in his shot making. Can hit it low, high, far, fade, draw, and with touch, if necessary. Also has mental fortitude to “block out” presence of Tiger should they be paired along the way.
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News
Four books for a springtime review
One thing that never changes over time: snowy evenings give purpose to reading (is it the other way around?) It has been a snowy 2024 in western New York, and I’ve had ample time to tuck into an easy chair with a blanket, coffee, and a book. You’re in luck, because despite the title of this piece, I’ll share five books and their worth with you.
There is great breadth of subject matter from one to five. Golf is as complicated as life, which means that the cover of the book isn’t worth judging. The contents begin the tale, but there is so much more to each topic presented within. If you’re like me, your library grows each year. Despite the value of the virtual, the paper-printed word connects us to the past of golf and humanity. Here’s hoping that you’ll add one or more of these titles to your collection.
Hughes Norton interviewed with Mark McCormack for 20 minutes (30 if you count the missed exit at Logan International) while driving the founder of IMG from Harvard to the airport. The lesson of taking advantage of each moment, of every dollar, because you might not get another opportunity, is the most valuable one that life offers. I say to you, be certain to read this book, because another opportunity to bend the ear of Hughes Norton may not come our way.
Hughes Norton was with Tiger Woods for waaayyy fewer years than you might guess, but they were the critical ones. Be warned: not all of the revelations in this tome are for the faint of heart. Some, in fact, will break your heart. Golf was a sleepy hamlet in the 1990s, until the 16-lane interstate called Eldrick “Tiger” Woods came into town. Everything changed, which meant that everything would change again and again, into eternity. Once the ball starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.
My favorite aspect of this book is its candor. Hughes Norton is well into his time on Planet Earth. He has no reason to hold back, and he doesn’t. My least favorite aspect is that George Peper got the call to co-author the book (and I didn’t.) Seriously, there is no LFA for me, so this is the best that I could do.
Decision: Buy It!
The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor
Michael Wolf, James Sitar, and Jon Cavalier, in abject partnership, collaborated to produce a handsome volume on the work of gone-too-soon, engineer-turned-golf course architect. Seth Raynor was pulled into the game by Charles Blair MacDonald, the crusty godfather of American golf. Raynor played little golf across the 51 years of his life. His reason? He did not wish to corrupt his designs with the demands and failings of his own game.
Jon Cavalier began his photography career as a contributor to the Golf Club Atlas discussion group. I met him there in a virtual way (we still have yet to shake hands) and have exchanged numerous emails over the years. Despite the demands of his day job, Cavalier has blossomed into the most traveled and prolific course photographer alive today. His photography, both hand-held and drone, makes the pages pop. Michael Wolf invited me and two friends to play his home course, despite having never met any of us in person. His words, melded to those of James Sitar, are the glue that connect Cavalier’s photos.
My favorite aspect of the books is the access it gives to the private-club world of Raynor. Fewer than five of his courses are resort or public access, and knowing people on the inside is not available to all. My suggestion? Write a letter/email and see if a club will let you play. Can’t hurt to try! My one complaint about the book is its horizontal nature. Golf is wide, but I like a little vertical in my photos. It’s not much of a complaint, given the glorious contents within the covers.
Decision: Buy It!!
Big Green Book from The Golfer’s Journal
Beginning with its (over)size, and continuing through the entire contents, there is no descriptor that defines the genre of the Big Green Book. It is photography, essay, layout, poetry, graphics, and stream of consciousness. It harnesses the creative power of a lengthy masthead of today’s finest golf contributors. Quotes from Harvey Penick, verse from Billy Collins, and prose from John Updike partner with images pure and altered, to immerse you in the diverse golf spaces that define this planet.
One of my favorite aspects is the spaces between the words and photos. Have your friends and others write a few notes to you in those blank areas, to personalize your volume even more. One aspect that needs improvement: the lack of female voices. I suspect that will be remedied in future volumes.
Decision: Buy It!!!
Troublemaker and The Unplayable Lie
Books that allege discrimination and mistreatment check two boxes: potentially-salacious reads and debate over whose perspective is accurate. In the end, the presentation of salacious revelation rarely meets the expectation, and the debate over fault is seldom resolved. Lisa Cornwell spent years as a competitive junior and college golfer, before joining The Golf Channel as a reporter and program host.
Despite the dream assignments, there were clouds that covered the sun. Cornwell documents episodes of favoritism and descrimination against her, prior to her departure from The Golf Channel in 2021. Her work echoes the production of the late Marcia Chambers, who wrote for Golf Digest in the 1980s and 1990s. Chambers took issue with many of the potential and real legal issues surrounding golf and its policies of access/no access. Her research culminated in The Unplayable Lie, the first work of its kind to address issues confronted by all genders and ethnicities, and immediately predated the professional debut of Tiger Woods in 1997.
My favorite aspects of the two works, are the courage and conviction that it took to write them, and believe in them. My least favorite aspects are the consistent bias that many groups continue to face. Without awareness, there is no action. Without action, there is no change.
Decision: Buy Them!!!!
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.
As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.
General Albums
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Thorbjorn Olesen – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ben Silverman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jesse Droemer – SoTX PGA Section POY – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- David Lipsky – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Martin Trainer – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Zac Blair – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jacob Bridgeman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Daniel Berger – WITB(very mini) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Chesson Hadley – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Callum McNeill – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Rhein Gibson – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Patrick Fishburn – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Raul Pereda – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Pullout Albums
- Tom Hoge’s custom Cameron – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Piretti putters – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ping putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Kevin Dougherty’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Bettinardi putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Tony Finau’s new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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