Tour News
Young guns McIlroy and Manassero lead the way at Hoylake
There were really no big surprises in Round 1 at the Open Championship…depending on how you felt about Tiger Woods coming into the event.
It’s been eight years since Woods’ triumphant march around Hoylake and the man appeared to be a significantly weakened player from his 2006 venture around these links.
But on Thursday the 38-year-old survived a rocky start and fired an opening-round 69, a similar score to his first day in 2006. And Woods employed the same conservative strategy off the tee and hit his only driver of the day on No. 16—the exact scenario in 2006.
There were other stories besides Woods though, and a lack of shocking performances did not mean a boring first round. How could you not be entertained when this happened? Or by the Ernie Els putting adventure? (For the sadistic side in us.)
Hoylake once again proved it is very scoreable with little to no wind, but the course was not completely defenseless like it was in 2006. In a calm opening round eight years ago, 67 players broke par and 19 matched or bettered 4-under. In virtually the same conditions Thursday, those numbers were 48 and 9, respectively.
Sure the pins were tucked, but the same tactic was used in 2006. It looks like the added ferocity of the rough is making a small but substantial difference.
Anyway, for those who missed part or all of the action, here are the three main important events of Round 1 at The Open.
Rory and The Young Guns lead the way
The oldest tournament in golf belonged to the youth on Thursday.
Matteo Manassero commenced the fireworks in the morning wave by holing his third shot from the fairway on No. 1 for an improbable opening birdie. The severely underrated 21-year-old continued his fine play, pouring in six more birdies against two bogeys to come in at 5-under 67 and alone in second.
The intriguing American prospect Brooks Koepka, fresh off a top-five finish at the U.S. Open, looks to be in the fight for another at Hoylake with an opening 4-under 68.
The 22-year-old Japan sensation Hideki Matsuyama quietly posted a very respectable 3-under 69 that puts him three off the lead.
The biggest story among the young guns though was Rory McIlroy, who fired a 6-under 66 to capture a one-shot lead at the day’s end.
In case you swore off watching golf at the end of 2013 and weirdly chose to return now, you’ll know that this Northern Irishman likes to hold 18-hole leads.
This is McIlroy’s FOURTH 18-hole lead already this season. While only five 18-hole leaders in the entire history of The Open Championship have gone on to win, this is good news for the 25-year-old. Because if there’s anything we know about Rory in 2014, it’s that he really flourishes in the second round. Or not…
OK so Mr. 78 is not really on friendly terms with Fridays, but McIlroy is too talented to not snap out of it soon.
McIlroy didn’t hesitate out of the gate Thursday, hitting his opening approach to 10 feet, following that up with a laser to six inches on No. 2 and firing another strike to 6 feet on No 3. He only converted for birdie on No. 2, but his iron play and driving mostly remained immaculate throughout the rest of the front nine and it paced him to a 3-under 32.
The back nine wasn’t so clean tee-to-green, but it didn’t matter. Great touch around the greens early and late in the back nine yielded birdies on par-fives and important pars to avoid stemming the tide of his momentum. A more lukewarm putter kept him tracking toward a matching 3-under total on the back.
For those looking for Rory to falter on Day Two, he did receive a series of fortunate breaks over the final holes. A hooked drive on No. 14 miracoulosly bounced back into the fairway, poor approaches on the next two holes netted much easier pitches than could have been and a pulled drive on No. 17 somehow finished up in a five-yard slither where spectators trampled the grass.
McIlroy can’t expect these events to go his way on Day Two, but regardless he is out fast and can set on conquering those second-round demons.
Tiger starts slow, then ignites
OK, we definitely have to talk more about this: Tiger’s back. In all seriousness, for one day at least, Woods silenced his critics.
At the beginning, he appeared every bit a man who’d played one event since March. Woods bogeyed his first two holes, and was so out of tune that he needed to hole two testing putts just to post 2-over through four holes.
Then, the light went on. Woods rolled in a 12-footer for birdie on the fifth, and that seemed to spark his charge.
The swing suddenly looked seasoned and the putter was warm, a combination that manifested itself on the back nine. A 30-foot birdie putt from off the green on No. 11 placed Woods back at Even, and it was only the start. Gorgeous six-irons on the next two holes gave him a pair of chances inside 10 feet, both of which he nailed to reach 2-under.
A bogey and two more birdies on the way in earned Woods a 3-under 69 and a T10 at the end of Day One.
It was a magnetic display from the 38-year-old in all parts of the game, as he ripped up Hoylake’s final 16 holes in 5-under. Like McIlroy, he also benefited from a bit of good fortune (fantastic lies in the rough on Nos. 14 and 17). He did lip out three putts, but all three were running pretty fast, so hardly unlucky stuff.
Overall, Thursday’s performance was a great sign for Woods. Three back after Day One, he right where he wants to be.
Big Names Mostly Show Up
In the major championships, we’re usually good for a number of big names to post abysmal first rounds and take themselves out of the running after 18 holes.
But that didn’t really happen this Thursday.
Ernie Els (7-over), Patrick Reed (6-over), Webb Simpson (4-over) and Bubba Watson (4-over) posted the only remarkably bad scores among the recognizable names of golf. Phil Mickelson (2-over), Graeme McDowell (2-over) Luke Donald (1-over), Jason Day (1-over), Martin Kaymer (1-over) and Matt Kuchar (1-over) were mediocre but far from the truly terrible that lose you a tournament on Day One.
Click here to read about Day’s continued thumb injury problems, which resurfaced in Round 1.
And plenty of the stars shined Thursday. We’ve already talked about McIlroy, Matsuyama and Woods. Joining them at the table were Jason Dufner (2-under), Louis Oosthuizen (2-under), Jimmy Walker (3-under), Rickie Fowler (3-under), Jim Furyk (4-under) and Sergio Garcia (4-under).
Oh, and someone named Adam Scott is also 4-under. A guy nobody picked to win.
After Day One we have a very conventional leaderboard with predictable story lines played out. That’s OK though.
It was still compelling theater and there are still three days for the golf gods to mess things up.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Booger
Jul 18, 2014 at 1:13 am
Another tiger woods article in disguise. Wish I wood have known,would have skipped it like every other tw article
Rich
Jul 18, 2014 at 10:21 am
Right on bro!
Rich
Jul 18, 2014 at 12:36 am
Why doesn’t Golfwrx go to The Open? It is the oldest and best major of the year and we don’t get to see the great photo’s we see from the other three. Don’t you guys have passports or something?