On a day when the weather didn’t turn for or against anyone, we saw little movement up and down the leaderboard. Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson went out as the final game and played hot potato with the lead most of the round. By nightfall, Stenson was 12-under par, good for a one-stroke lead over Lefty. Bill Haas, Andrew Johnston and J.B. Holmes moved into position, in case both leaders collapse on Sunday. For the rest of the day’s events, let’s look at five things we learned on moving day of the 2016 Open Championship.
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Red numbers aren’t easy on major championship weekends
Thirteen out of 81 golfers shot under par at Royal Troon on Saturday. That’s 16 percent of the field, for you number crunchers. No one went lower than three-under 68, and Henrik Stenson was one of them. The day’s big move was made by another 68 author, Steve Stricker. Stricker gained 21 spots on the field, a healthy climb to T6 on Day 3. Many golfers fired and fell back, proving that winning is all that matters to many of them. Risk the high number in order to shoot the low number. These guys are truly good.
Phi Shanka Wedga not going so well
Much has been made this week of the “frat house” atmosphere of the house that lads Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler are sharing with the Old School trio of Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner. If it pays off in late September at the Ryder Cup, that’s one thing. In the present, Omega Missa Putta has not had a positive effect on anyone save Johnson (currently T13). Walker missed the cut and the rest of the brothers are outside the top 38. Take it from a Sigma Nu, the fraternity life can be sweet, but it may not be the best arrangement when trying to contend for a major title.
There’s enough Beef to go around
Golf may not have Tiger Woods, but if it can clone the convivial nature of Andrew Johnston (Dan Jenkins called him a “smiling bus driver” in a tweet), it will do just fine. The man with the Amish beard, the lurchy swing and the first spot off the podium (currently 4th at five-under) has that innate ability to make fans smile and howl his name. Not pleased with the crowd’s reaction after this hole-out, he smiled wider than the links and waved his arms to encourage more cheers. And he got them!
Rory McIlroy won’t favorite this week
After beginning the week with his ill-chosen comments about not watching the Olympics, not growing the game, etc., the former world No. 1 gave us a bit of hope with an outward 32 on Thursday before tapering off to a meh finish. Tomorrow will be a mere stroll for the lad, one that will be accompanied by a newly reshafted three metal. After a run at the green on the par-five 16th hole went wide right, McIlroy tomahawked the guilty club to the ground, separating head from shaft in the process. Something’s been missing since the wunderkind injured himself last summer playing soccer, so here’s hoping that whatever has him off-balance gets eliminated promptly. The sport needs a mature, confident McIlroy.
Bunker cams are absolutely awesome
Give a rose to the person who came up with this idea. Most of us have no idea how deep and intimidating these bunkers are, so these in-your-wedge lenses have taken us inside the pit with the golfers. We’ve suffered in the coffin bunker with Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed, so it’s nice to see Bill Haas (currently third at six-under) get one back for the good guys.
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Realist
Jul 17, 2016 at 10:24 am
Those saying Rory should leave Nike are the same guys shopping around for new set of irons, putter, driver after a bad couple of rounds. Nike pays him very well to swing their sticks, and I highly doubt he’d do it if they weren’t releasing some top notch stuff. People just don’t like the color schemes or the fact that Nike is competing with other major golf manufacturers. I was anti-nike for a while then got a set of their engage wedges. Its rare that I chunk a wedge now.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 17, 2016 at 10:37 am
Well-developed and succinct…a rare bird.
Nicely put, Realist.
ND Hickman
Jul 17, 2016 at 11:26 am
Have to agree. Nike clubs are much better than people give them credit for. Their cavity back drivers they were doing a few years back were a good innovative idea.
ffs
Jul 17, 2016 at 2:59 am
We’re already tired of that beef guy.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 17, 2016 at 10:36 am
Him no care. Him still smile. 🙂
COGolfer
Jul 17, 2016 at 12:57 am
Breaking the head off a 3 metal sounds terrible, if you have to pay for the replacement.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 17, 2016 at 10:40 am
#truth unless you simply dispose of it, a la Thomas Pieters round 4.
Jack always
Jul 16, 2016 at 7:45 pm
Rory mind not right at the moment!
nn
Jul 16, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Needs to leave Nike
Ronald Montesano
Jul 16, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Which equipment should he play? PXG? Callaway? TaylorMade? Another?
Ronald Montesano
Jul 16, 2016 at 10:29 pm
How important is the caddie? Phil has Bones, Jordan has Geller. Does Roars have the right caddie?
Left of right
Jul 16, 2016 at 11:57 pm
Looks to be a wreck. Maybe depressed?
ddd
Jul 16, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Another thing we learned was Phil has a potty mouth
nn
Jul 16, 2016 at 8:08 pm
No he doesn’t
Ronald Montesano
Jul 16, 2016 at 10:31 pm
#Defense #Represent #GotHisBack
Ronald Montesano
Jul 16, 2016 at 10:30 pm
When did we learn that?
ddd
Jul 17, 2016 at 8:04 am
On his second shot on 18, cameras started clicking on his downswing. He said something like I know you gotta cover this but what a …… thing to do. Tv picked it up clear as can be! I’m sure others heard it too
Dave
Jul 17, 2016 at 9:18 am
They needed to be smacked up alongside the head. Camera’s were going off very early in his downswing. Phil was way too nice.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 17, 2016 at 10:35 am
I know how sensitive some triggers can be, but anyone shooting before apex of backswing should be schooloed in proper etiquette/professional conduct.
Jonny
Jul 16, 2016 at 5:46 pm
It’s a three wood… a three wood. Not a three metal. Rory thew his 3-wood.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 16, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Made of wood=three wood
Made of metal=three metal
Personal preference, I’ll admit.
Stupid logic
Jul 16, 2016 at 7:09 pm
do you say 4 iron or 4 steel
Christosterone
Jul 16, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Lol
Stupid Logic?
Jul 16, 2016 at 7:36 pm
steel is made iron, not the same thing. thanks for the chuckle.
Joey5Picks
Jul 17, 2016 at 12:45 am
Then you have to call the other clubs “steels” since that’s what they’re made of. “He hit a 7-steel from 165.”
CT
Jul 16, 2016 at 7:25 pm
3 wood
nn
Jul 16, 2016 at 8:09 pm
It might be 3 Titanium. How about that? lol
Richard
Jul 17, 2016 at 3:53 am
Or with TM it would be a 3 unmetal?
Ronald Montesano
Jul 17, 2016 at 10:33 am
3 ti
3 graph
i like all the options.