Live British Open Championship coverage: Round 2
Connell Barrett, editor at large for GOLF Magazine, blogged all the exciting action at Turnberry for the second round of the British Open Championship. Read the recap below.
3:04PM
Well, my little divots... I've enjoyed these eight -- count 'em, eight! -- non-stop hours slaving over a hot blog for you. We might witness an historic weekend, if Tom Watson does the impossible. I can't wait to watch.
Our live-blog is going dark now, but stay tuned to Golf.com for more Open Championship coverage. And me? I'm in the zone, so I'm gonna switch channels and live-blog Oprah, Judge Judy and The Girls Next Door. I can't be stopped. Only contained.
Tune in tomorrow morning to catch Saturday's action. We'll see you then.
2:58PM
A reader named Phil says what everyone is thinking: Gimme more Goggin.
This is supposed to be coverage of the tournament. Goggin is still on the course under par and Barrett has posted anything about player other than Tiger for the last hour.
Phil, a phair point. What can I say? America has Goggin Fever, and I've failed to realize that. We'll make it right tomorrow. Especially since there will be no Tiger to cover.
2:51PM
And Debbie had another gem I had to share, to the Tiger teasers:
Get it through your thick skulls -- Tiger Woods is ALWAYS the story! I know it pains you, but millions of us have the power of the pocketbook. And we want to know what's going on with Tiger. My poor, sweet baby. I wish I could cuddle him right now.
I agree. (Umm, except for the cuddling thing. I'm not going there...)
2:45PM
The Down With Tiger brigade is loving life. Debbie has a message for you, Eldrick Hatahs:
Congratulations Tiger haters -- you live to bully another day! Now, where are those fat kids with low self esteem you can pick on?
2:41PM
Oh, speaking of Monty, he and Sandy Lyle are currently leg-wrestling in the press tent. (This is just getting weird...)
2:39PM
More from ear-to-the-ground Paul Mahoney (twitter.com/paulmahoneygolf):
Reporter to Tom Watson: "Last year, we had Norman, age, 53, leading. Now we have..." Watson interrupts: "Another old fart!"
Watson's opening address to standing-room only press conference: "Lady Turnberry took off her gloves today and she had some teeth." Sounds like a horrific blind date.
2:32PM
Joining Tiger at 5-over, and it's-all-over-but-the-shouting likely to be spending the weekend in a pub: Monty, Adam Scott, Mike Weir and Ben Curtis, who shot 80 today. Also going home is Anthony Kim, at plus-6.
2:27PM
The news for Tiger? Bad. Very bad. As the TNT fellas clearly explain (good on ya, boys), there are currently nine players on the course who are inside the cutline, with scores ranging from plus-1 to plus-4. Tiger would need seven of those nine players to drop to 5-over in order for the cutline to move and for TW to make the weekend. Possible? Yes. But unrealistic. That's a lot of giftwrapped golf shots. Some fuzzy math would have to go down. He has a better shot at nabbing an NFL wildcard spot than of making the cut.
2:20PM
Ishikawa makes bogey on 18, to drop to plus-six. He'll miss the cut. Woods taps in for his par, not knowing if he'll play this weekend. "I'm sure he'll assume the worst, thinking that that's it," Finchie says. True that.
Looking at today's developements, I don't know which is more shocking: that Watson is co-leading, or that Woods had reached even-par before finishing at plus-5.
2:17PM
Using a wedge, Tiger chips over much of the break. His ball is tracking... tracking... tracking... and it stops at about a foot. He'll tap in for par to stay at plus-five.
But will he stay or will he go?
2:12PM
The pin on 18 is cut left. To hunt or not to hunt? That is the question. Tiger makes a good safe shot toward the center of the green, but his ball takes a big hop and trundles off the back. He'll have the option of putting or chipping -- call it 40 feet -- but chances are slim for a birdie.
Barring an incredible hole-out, he'll have to hope the cutline moves to plus-five.
2:08PM
Tiger has 199 yards to the hole from the right rough on 18.
2:05PM
Damn you, Baker-Finch! Tiger hits a long iron, but he shoves it to his right, giving it some extreme leaning-to-the-left body language. His ball trickles into the right rough, but we know not of his lie.
He's playing conservative/agressive. Tiger must know that a par might get him into the weekend, but that a bogey will definitely send him packing. He seems to playing for par or birdi, taking bogey out of it.
2:01PM
Bizarro Tiger stalks toward the 18th tee. What will he pull? Finchie says 3-iron. I think he has to be bold and hit a longer club, since birdie is a must. I call 3-wood.
1:59PM
From Golf.com contributer Paul Mahoney (check him out at twitter.com/paulmahoneygolf).
The secret to Calcavecchia's success, says the '89 Open Champ? "Four pints a night. Seems a nice round number."
I'll drink to that.
1:55PM
On 17 green, Tiger's eagle chip halts at 2 feet -- he'll make that for his second straight birdie, to reach plus-5 for the Open, 1 shot outside the current cutline.
One hole to play, one birdie needed (probably).
1:51PM
From 287 yards out, Tiger pulled 5-wood and hit a solid shot to the back of the 17th green, his ball rolling onto the back collar. He'll have a shot at eagle and should be able to get up-and-down for birdie.
The cut is currently at plus-4, and there's a chance it may move to plus-5. At the very least, Woods must birdie 17 and make no worse than par on 18. If he birdies both 17 and 18, he's in.
1:44PM
"That was a scooper," Finchie says after Tiger, pulling 3-wood, hits a pop-up off the tee. Center cut in the 17th fairway, but well back. Tiger slumps his head and shoulders. (His body language never lies.) If Woods is going to reach the par-5 in two, in order to make birdie or eagle and give himself a shot to make the cut, he'll likely need to hit a perfect 3-wood to get there. And he hasn't hit a perfect shot all day.
1:40PM
One birdie down, two to go. Tiger makes his birdie on no. 16. Two holes to play. He's at 6-over, 2 strokes outside of the plus-4 cutline. Well, Tiger's never dull. You have to give him that. You have to think it'll come down to the 18th green.
The par-5 17th is Turnberry's easiest hole this week. But can Tiger hit the fairway?
1:37PM
A reader asked about Tiger's missed cuts in majors. The only one he's missed as a professional was at the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
1:36PM
Woods' approach on 16, from 132 yards, comes to rest about 18 feet from the cup. He'll have a look at birdie.
1:30PM
Three straight birdies must begin with one good swing, and Tiger has found the center of the fairway on no. 16.
1:27PM
Watson to Jim Huber, in his post-round interview, the Claret Jug literally within reach to his right: "Things are going my way, some good things are happening... The biggest putt of the day was the 25-footer I made on 9, and that turned me around. Lady Turnberry had her gloves off, but I put in a good counter-punch [smiles]. [At 18, when I made the long putt for birdie] I think the spirits were on my side. I don't have too many days left to play this championship, but I wouldn't be here unless I thought I could [win]."
Phew! What a round. What a day.
1:23PM
The math is very simple for Tiger, who just two-putted for his par on 15. He's at 7-over with three to play and he's 3 shots outside the cutline. He needs to play the last 3 holes in 3 under to avoid missing his second cut in a major as a professional.
1:19PM
Woods gives himself a chance, but not a great chance, on the par-3 15th; he'll have about 30 feet for birdie. This swoosh-wearing imposter is currently tied for 107th.
1:16PM
From the sublime to the ridiculous, Tiger Woods is 6-over on his round today. He has to make a bunch of birdies coming in, and he only has four holes left.
1:14PM
Tomorrow, he plays in the final group with Steve Marino.
I repeat: Tom Watson is the co-leader midway through the 2009 British Open.
OK, I'll settle down now.
1:11PM
Sorry for the delay. I just did a coffee spit-take all over my laptop, because Old Tom Watson rolled in his birdie putt on 18 (50 feet? 60 feet? a million feet?) to finish at 5-under. That did not just happen!
I am speechless. To quote David Feherty: "My flabber is completely gasted."
1:03PM
On 18, Watson takes a 7-iron, from 204 yards, and finds the middle right of the green. He'll have 40-50 feet for birdie. Not an automatic par, but Old Tom's lag putting has been stellar today. It's like his ball and the cup are magnetically attracted. He should 2-putt for par. Let's just hope he doesn't leave himself an artificial-knee-knocking 5-footer.
12:59PM
Oh. My. Lawd. Tiger just missed a 6-footer for bogey on no. 13. Double-bogey. He's at 7-over, and is now 3 shots outside the projected cutline (of plus-4).
Who is this swooshed man? I don't recognize him. I stand by what I said earlier: He doesn't look afraid. His head is down, shoulders slumped, face sagging. He looks depressed. Helpless. He looks utterly and completely lost.
12:55PM
OK, you know all the stuff about Tiger's final charge today to make the cut? Umm, nevermind. He just fluffed a chip -- his third shot -- on no. 13 that came back to his ankles. He now has to get up-and-down to save bogey.
12:53PM
Old Tom Update: His drive on no. 18 trickled into the first cut, staying clear of the fescue. No worries there. With one more solid swing, he'll have a par or better to finish a strong round.
12:51PM
Finchie says that Tiger looks scared. Like he has fear in his eye. All due respect to IBF, I don't see it. He looks frustrated and lost, but afraid? No way.
Utterly shameless name-drop: Last year, I spent some time with Steve Williams for a piece on Steve and his relationship with Tiger. He said that Woods is the only player he's ever caddied for -- and SW has looped for Floyd and Norman, among many others -- who can make swing adjustments mid-round and fix a problem on the fly. So Tiger haters, don't be surprised to see Woods pull it together over these final holes and make the cut.
12:47PM
Watson struck a lovely tee shot on the par-3 17th, and had a nice look at birdie -- from about 20 feet. He missed the putt but left himself a stress-free par tap-in, with one hole to play. He remains 1 off the lead.
Tiger finds the fairway on no. 13, pulling an iron. That swing looked balanced and confident.
12:43PM
Brian writes, "The king is dead. Long live the king."
You may be right, Brian -- at least this year. Tiger just missed a lengthy par putt on 12, to fall to plus-5 for the Open. The current cutline is plus-3, and it may move up to plus-4, with the conditions getting tougher (more wind, harder greens).
So Tiger must shoot red numbers for his final six holes to have a shot at making the cut. He needs at least one birdie, and no bogeys.
12:40PM
Pardon the delay, all. Some technical difficulties. (Not as bad as Tiger's, but still...)
Our board has a serious case of Watson fever.
Scott writes:
Just like I remember the Tom of old...never give up...be patient and hang in there!! Just like he's doing today!! A bad 6 hole stretch, then comes back with a birdie on 9 and a solid par on 10. That's the way I remember Tom from when I was watching he and Jack battling!! Go Tom!!! My favorite golfer!!!!
And Dan says it all:
OK I don't care who you are... How can you not be rooting for Tom Watson right now... unbelievable.
12:32PM
Wow. Tiger clubs down from a fairway wood to a long iron, and he still finds a fairway moon crater off the tee on 12. How's that song go? "Tida said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like, Tida said..."
12:27PM
Talk to me. What's the bigger story: Norman's run last year, or Watson partying like it's 1977? Maybe it's the Pike Place blend talking, but I think Old Tom is leaving the Shark in his wake, so far.
12:26PM
You. Must. Be. Kidding. Either I'm hallucinating, or Tom Watson just dropped a 60-foot, right-to-left birdie putt on 16, to move within 1 stroke of the lead. He's at 4-under.
Tom, I'm sorry I doubted you.
12:19PM
Well, we're past the midway point of this 7-hour, non-stop British Open Blogathon. I'm taking a quick break to adjust my caffeine-and-guarana IV drip. Be right back.
Please blog amongst yourselves...
12:15PM
Woods make his double-bogey on 10.
What a turn of events. In the last hour, we've seen Watson turn a brutal round around, and we've seen Woods start swinging like a 13-handicap, nearly imploding on 10.
12:13PM
Tiger hit a nifty, bitey little pitch to about 5 feet on 10. He'll have that for a double-bogey, which would drop him to 4-over for the event and put him 1 shot outside the projected cut-line (plus-3).
12:10PM
Tiger's woes are contagious -- his playing partner Ishikawa had to take an unplayable, after finding some hairy rough on 10.
12:06PM
It's official, say the TV talking heads: Tiger's 5 minutes are up, no tee ball found, and Tiger's now hitting his fourth shot from the fairway. From 221 yards out, he leaves it about 15 yards short of the green. He's looking at a double bogey, or worse?
12:02PM
The seach -- like Hank Haney's place with Team Tiger, perhaps -- is over. Woods is walking over to his provisional shot.
NOON
They found a ball! But it wasn't Tiger's. He has 5 minutes to find his tee shot. Tick-tock, tick-tock...
11:58AM
A developing situation. Woods hit a provisional off the tee on 10. "Something's gone haywire" with Tiger's swing this week, Azinger says. There's currently a massive, hard-target search of every outhouse, hen house and dog house near the 10th hole for Tiger's tee ball. So far, Tiger's tee ball is nowhere to be found.
11:53AM
Watson cozies a lengthy birdie putt to about an inch on 14, for another par, to stay at 3-under for the Open.
I'm not seeing a lot of blog love for Old Tom. C'mon, my cynical posters. You have to admit--it's phenominal the way he's bounced back today. He's 2 off the lead!
11:51AM
As Watson hit his approach on 14, said Curtis Strange admiringly: "He's a tough little booger."
Would someone please taser this guy?
11:45AM
Tiger's fat-like-me tee shot cost him on the par-4 9th. If he makes his 4-footer for bogey, he'll have gone birdie-bogey-bogey for the last 3 holes.
11:42AM
Master of overstatement Curtis Strange, as we watch Watson split the fairway on 14: "His driving has improved 300 percent since his prime." Yesterday, Strange said Kim was the player to watch "for the next 20 to 25 years." Because there are no other good young stars in the game, right Curtis?
Peter Alliss, where are you?
11:41AM
From Golf.com czar Charlie Hanger, who's keeping an eye on the commercials:
That RBS ad just now, showing all the glorious images of the Open and links golf, included a slow, loving pan up ... a ball washer? Ah, the majestic ball washers of Scotland
11:38AM
"That likely could be the worst tee shot that Tiger's ever hit," suggests Azinger, never one to mince words. Tiger takes 5-wood again, this time from the rough, and makes better contact.
11:33AM
Tiger pulls 5-wood on no. 9 tee and makes a dreadful swing: Fat and right, finding some nasty rough, it appears. His worst lash of the day. Woods angrily slams his club into the tee ground, then slams it again into his golf bag.
11:27AM
OK, back to golf. Calc taps in on 18 for his second-round 69. He's 4-under, and 1 off the lead.
Meanwhile, Tiger mis-reads his par putt and makes bogey. He's back at 1-over.
11:22AM
Before we get back to the action, we have some tension a-brewin' on the boards. SI's Dick Friedman said that attempting to win a major may take priority over being at your child's birth. (See below.) "You're off your rocker," one poster decried. Another said that clearly Mr. Friedman is not a dad. Yet another jibed: "Dick is a good first name for Friedman." (Good one.)
Dick Friedman responds:
Please tell the commenters, such as Father UR NOT, that Father I AM: As of next Tuesday, I’ll have been a dad for 25-and-a-half years. And while it was wonderful to be present at my daughter’s birth, I consider what I did in the years afterward to have had much more impact.
11:16AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, fans, but I haven't seen Tiger pull driver once today. (He just ripped what appeared to be a 3- or 5-wood on 8, finding the rough.) Then again, I've been up since 5:57AM, and my body chemistry is 87 percent caffeine, so my judgment is questionable.
11:13AM
Tiger makes his birdie putt on 7, his first red number of the day. He began the day with 67 names between his and the leader. He's now tied for 27th.
Sorry, Tiger haters, but it's gonna be a long day for you.
11:09AM
"As the conditions worsen, Tom Watson gets better," says Paul Azinger, as Ancient Tom rolls a 15-footer in for birdie on no. 3. He flashes his famous Huck Finn grin as he strides off the green, now only 2 off the lead -- he's now at 3-under.
11:04AM
The birdie-less one, Tiger Woods, sticks a wedge tight on the par-5 7th. He should get to even par in a few moments, only 5 off the lead.
10:59AM
Sports Illustrated's Dick Friedman has this take on ready-to-bolt dad-to-be Ross Fisher:
Fisher, who as I write is T4, continues the ominous trend of expectant fathers in contention for a major who are ready to decamp when the beeper goes off, signaling that their wives are going into labor. I decried this practice when Sean O’Hair was ready to leave Bethpage, and I reiterate my opposition here (assuming, that is, that there are no expected complications with the birth). I guess I think that opportunities to be Champion Golfer of the Year come along less often than chances to be Champion Father of the Year. And if Fisher wins, he will get the Claret Baby Bottle.
10:55AM
And here comes the British weather. "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is NOT scoring." TNT apparently had the wrong score for Watson moments ago. He actually 2-putted for par on no. 10 to remain at 2-under, 3 off the lead.
10:48AM
Come on, TNT, it's called "live" golf coverage. Watson just hit a 6-iron to about 15 feet on no. 10, but they've already updated the leaderboard to show that Tom has moved it to 3-under through 10. Call it a gut instinct, but I think he's gonna roll this one in...
10:46AM
Calc 3-jacks on the par-3 15th. He drops a shot, and Marino is back alone atop the leaderboard.
10:42AM
On the par-3 fourth, Stewart Cink attempted a heroic pitch from deep beneath greenside hay -- and a suhwiiiing and a miss. Whiff. Then he pitched to about 30 feet past the hole. He's looking at double bogey. TNT's Tom Weiskopf let this comment (Freudian) slip: "Let's go back to Stewart Stink, err, Cink's problems." Youch.
10:37AM
Old Tom finishes his front nine with a birdie on no. 9, to get back to 2-under. A smile and a rare spring in his step from the 59-year-old today. He's only 3 back....
10:33AM
Drawing a nice lie in the bunker, Tiger parks his third to about 4 feet on no. 5. He should make that for his par.
10:29AM
Jim Huber did a nice look back at the Duel in the Sun -- Jack vs. Tom at Turnberry in '77 -- though when he said that "the course sparkled like the sun off the Ailsa Craig," I got a cavity.
Back to the action! On no. 5, after a perfect tee shot with a 3-wood, Tiger hits a low draw into the wind but finds a front-left moon crater of the long par 4.
10:25AM
Earl Anthony -- err, I mean Calc -- nearly jars his iron approach into the par-4 14th. He has 2 feet to reach 5-under for the Open, and a share of the lead with Steve Marino. Holy Beer Gut, Batman!
10:21AM
Another ho-hum par for Tiger. His swing looks much better than yesterday (of course, my swing looked better than his yesterday, I'm a hacker.) And he's nearly drained a couple of long putts. I still think he's heading to the mid-60s today, and I stand by my 66 prediction.
10:16AM
Here's a dispatch from Friend of Golf.com Paul Mahoney, a crackerjack UK-based journalist covering the action Over There. (Please check out Paul's twitter-iffic site: twitter.com/paulmahoneygolf)
Said Ian Poulter (+14): "I could have played with a set of spades and still wouldn't have found the middle of the club." Ross Fisher shoots 68 in Round 2 to go -3. He has a jet on standby in case his pregnant wife goes into labour. (The jet's for him; not her.) And here's Sandy Lyle again: "I don't regret anything. Monty isn't exactly squeaky clean." Over to you, Monty.
Good stuff, Paul. Keep it coming!
10:10AM
I love Baker-Finch's honeyed Aussie accent. But...little known fact: It's fake. He's from Newark, N.J. You heard it here first.
Tiger makes another stress-free par, on no. 3. After a nice bounce on the 169-yard par-3 fourth, he has about 20 feet for birdie.
10:06AM
Props to a poster named (seriously) TNTedium. He writes:
"Tiger was cursing and throwing fits on the driving range. He could not hit the ball straight even with 3 wood. He is definitely not going to win this championship."
TNTedium has spoken!
10:01AM
Calc., the 1989 Open Champ, has birdied two of his last three holes, to get it to 4-under through 12. I love it when a guy who looks like he belongs on the PBA Tour shows these flat-bellied kids how it's done.
9:59AM
Watson makes his fourth straight bogey, on no. 7. Sigh.
To quote another British legend, one John Lennon. "The dream is over/What can I say? The dream is over..."
9:57AM
Ahh, nothing gets the boards a-hoppin' like Tiger Talk. Someone suggested the World No. 1 lacked class, to which Tom replied:
"Hope Tiger keeps the driver in the bag today. I disagree with Tiger not having 'class'. As someone who played sports competitively I understand being extremely focused on the course and always wanting to be the best at all times, and there is nothing wrong with that. Off the course the guy is extremely classy, in my opinion."
9:51AM
Woods makes his par on no. 2.
Meanwhile, John Daly taps in on 18. He'll play the weekend. He shot 72 today and is even-par for the Open. His pants are plus-19.
9:45AM
Tiger's 4-iron approach on no. 2 holds the left side of the green, but with the pin cut right, he'll have to be happy with a 2-putt par.
You know who's really enjoying the action right now? Steve Marino. He shot a 68 today, and must be kicking back in his hotel room as the sole leader and loving what he's seeing.
9:41AM
Watson's par putt misses, for his fourth bogey today. He's now at 2-under for the Open and has fallen off the first page of the leaderboard.
At least he's through one of the toughest stretches on the course. Maybe he'll get back onboard the par-birdie train in the coming holes.
9:37AM
The tale of the T-Dubs: Woods pulls a fairway wood and finds the right side of the fairway on no. 2. Watson hits a nice bunker shot on no. 6, but had an awkward lie and stance, and will have 20 feet to avoid his fourth bogey of the day.
9:35AM
Well, at the British, when it rains it pours. Ancient Tom knows this better than anyone. Watson's tee shot on the 233-yard par-3 6th finds one of the moon craters that they call "bunkers" across the pond. We'll see what his lie looks like, but at Turnberry, finding the sand is usually the equivalent of a one-stroke penalty.
9:32AM
Tiger burns the right edge of the cup on no. 1, putting from off the green. He'll make his par to stay at plus-1.
9:30AM
Co-leader Kuboya lost his tee shot on no. 13 and had to re-tee -- stroke and distance penalty for a lost ball. He now lies three in the fairway on the par-4, so he's looking at a potential double bogey.
9:26AM
Let's call Watson's putt a 7-footer, but whatever we call it, he missed. Bogey. That's three bogeys today through five holes, after a blemish-free opening round yesterday.
He's got to be thinking, "I'd rather be home watching the Matlock marathon."
9:23AM
We talked about The Big Moment that would test Watson today? He now has five frightening feet for par on no. 5. Meanwhile, Tiger pulled iron on no. 1 and split the fairway.
9:21AM
The other T-Dub -- Tom Watson -- is just off the back of the green on the scarier-than-a-plate-of-Haggis 5th hole. Getting up and down for a par would have Ancient Tom walking on air toward the 6th tee.
9:19AM
Will Woods go low? Magic 8-balll says, "Signs point to yes." It's just a matter of time until Tiger adds a come-from-behind major win to his resume. I think yesterday's untidy round was an aberration -- a symptom of his wanting it too much and trying too hard, as my colleague Alan Shipnuck suggested on Golf.com yesterday.
My bold prediction? Tiger has The Look all day today and shoots 66.
9:14AM
Co-leader Stricker loses his share of the lead with a bogey on the difficult 5th. He falls to 4-under.
9:10AM
T-minus 10 minutes until Tiger.
9:05AM
One of my favorite Watson stories:
Back in the 90s, when he was mired in a decade-long winless streak on the PGA Tour, Watson missed the cut at the AT&T at Pebble, finishing with back-to-back bogeys. He and his friend Sandy Tatum, the former USGA president, left Pebble and went to Cypress Point for a late lunch. It was about 4:30pm when Watson, who had played terribly, looked at Tatum and said, “Hey, we can still get nine holes in!” They hadn’t brought their clubs, so they borrowed some sticks from a Cypress member and played four or five holes in the misty twilight, and they had a blast.
That’s Tom Watson. After dominating golf for 15 years, he found himself in a crippling slump, and he had just missed yet another cut. But he so loves golf, he had to play an emergency round.
And thus ends my Jimmy Roberts moment for today's blog.
9:01AM
No. 4 takes a chunk out of Watson and Sergio both. Bogey and bogey. Sergio falls to even-par for the event.
9:00AM
Watson 2-putts for bogey on no. 4, dropping a shot and falling to 1 off the lead. A birdie-bogey-par-bogey start for the 5-time British Open winner.
8:58AM
Correction. Watson found the greenside bunker on no. 4, not the rough. He hit his bunker shot to about 15-20 feet from the pin, so he'll need to drop another long putt to avoid bogey.
8:55AM
Sergio -- 1-under for the tournament -- and Ancient Tom both hit weak iron shots that leak into the right rough on the par-3 fourth, short-siding themselves. The pin is cut to the right. Ouch. Depending on their respective lies, bogey may be a good score.
8:50AM
Old Tom -- actually, he's Ancient Tom -- is halfway through a "dream start," says Ian Baker-Finch. If Watson can survive the first six holes at even-par or better, Finchie adds, he'll be well on his way to a special day. So far, so good.
8:48AM
J.B. Holmes taps in on 18. He finishes at 2-under for the week, very much in the mix.
Meanwhile on no. 3, Old Tom lags a long birdie putt -- at least 60 feet -- to a few, stress-free inches. He's even on the day through 3.
8:44AM
Old Tom muscles a big drive on no. 1 that scoots well down the fairway, and he'll need every yard he can muster: The 489-yard third is the longest par-4 on the course.
Squint and watch Watson's swing and you'd think it was 1980. It's the same elegant, efficient, powerful action he's used for decades. What a thing of beauty. As opposed to his putting stroke, which can make you wince at times.
8:40AM
God bless Peter Alliss. His mellifluous tones are gracing TNT's airwaves. So says the British broadcasting legend: "Tiger will shoot a 68 or better today, to put a little fear in the leadboard." Peter, I'll drink to that.
8:35AM
After a short iron to the front of the no. 2 green, Watson 2-putts for bogey, giving back the birdie he made on no. 1. He's now in a three-way tie for the lead with Kuboya and Marino (who shot a 68 today), at 5-under.
8:29AM
Old Tom is being tested early. After missing the fairway on the par-4 second, Watson pulled his drive into the hay left of the fairway and was forced to pitch out back onto the short grass. He'll have to scramble for a par and hope for no worse than bogey.
8:26AM
Watson is poised to take sole possession of the lead as Kuboya is flirting with bogey or double-bogey on no. 9. He lies three off the green on the par-4 9th.
8:23AM
Well, Old Tom, that's one way to avoid fretting and sweating over yip-tastic short putts--just drain 25-footers all day.
And we'll be right back to the 1977 British Open after these commercial messages!
8:20AM
Par? Puhlease! Watson rolls in his birdie putt from the center of the green on no. 1, lifting his putter in celebration as his ball trickles in. He joins Kuboya at the top of the leaderboard, at 6-under. Wow.
8:17AM
Watson's iron approach on no. 1 finds the middle-back portion of the green. A solid start. He'll have two putts for an opening par.
8:14AM
Let's watch for The Big Moment today from Old Tom. There will come a point where he'll be tested, and the demons will come -- whether it's a slick downhill 4-foot putt for par or bogey, or having to summon his 59-year-old joints and muscles to power his ball out of a thick lie. How he handles The Big Moment will reveal whether or not he'll be in this through the weekend.
8:10AM
Pulling a long iron on No. 1, Old Tom takes a confident, determined lash and his ball finds fairway, center-cut. One swing down... how many to go?
8:07AM
By the way, Tiger fans--Woods tees off in a little over an hour. An ominous number for Tiger: 67. He's never won a British Open shooting higher than an opening-round 67 (he shot 71 yesterday). And at the start of play today, there were 67 names between Tiger and the leader.
8:03AM
Now on the tee... Tom Watson!
8:02AM
David Duval rolls in a birdie putt of 18 feet on no. 1 to get back to even-par for the week. Duval's level of play seems to be in direct proportion to his level of interest in a given event. He almost wins the U.S. Open at Bethpage, then a missed cut at the John Deere, and now back in the hunt at Turnberry.
7:58AM
Just 11 minutes until Watson tees off. Not that I'm excited, or anything.
Meanwhile, on no. 8, leader Kuboya stripes a drive dead-center down the fairway. He does not appear to be intimidated by the hugeness of the moment. Then again, it's only Friday.
7:54AM
Early estimates from the TNT guys about today's cutline: definitely over-par, perhaps as high as plus-3. Take note, Tiger. If Woods' swing is as loose today as yesterday, the World No. 1 could be enjoying the weekend action from the comfort of his Florida mansion.
7:51AM
Harrington, on 13, misses his par putt. He falls to plus-4 for the week. He looks more frustrated with his putter than with his work-in-progress swing.
7:44AM
Golf Magazine Senior Writer Cameron Morfit was up with the rooster this morning filing this report. Take it, Cameron:
"Saw Tom Lehman playing the little par-3 course with his family outside the Turnberry Hotel after his first-round 68 Thursday in the golden fading light of a perfect summer day. Today it's raining. The par-3 course will get no play Friday, unless a player who's missed the cut gets extremely drunk."
7:41AM
Just 1,623 seconds until Tom Watson tees off. But who's counting...?
7:40AM
Goosen drops a 10-footer for birdie on 16. He's now 3-under for the event and 3 off the lead.
7:36AM
Golf.com's Anne Szeker is on the spot with some Kenichi Kuboya trivia. On our current leader, she reports:
"He's a four-time winner on the Japanese Tour, but hasn't won since 2002. He last played the British Open seven years ago at Muirfield. He finished T59th. His last PGA Tour appearance was 2004, the Sony Open. He finished T54. And now he's leading the British Open. Golf is such a fickle game."
7:32AM
Correction: Mr. 59 (as in years) Tom Watson tees off at 8:09am eastern time, 37 minutes away.
7:30AM
The Ponytailed One just tapped in for par on 13. Jimenez is 4-over on his day, and at 2-under for the event.
7:26AM
Talk to me, people! Is Watson a one-day wonder, or can he stay in this thing through the weekend? I'll bet you he did a little rain dance this morning. Tougher conditions today play to his advantage. Sure, he may balloon to a 79, but it won't be because he's thrown off by wind or rain. It will be because of age and nerves and a rusty putter. He knows how to play in sideways rain. And he knows links golf better than anyone on the planet.
How will the less experienced players handle rougher weather?
7:22AM
The wind has more chill and bite today, and scores reflect the conditions. Yesterday's scoring average was 71.19. So far today it's 74.21, more than 3 strokes higher.
7:19AM
Kuboya has dropped a shot. He now leads Watson by just 1, through 5.
7:14AM
The million-pound question of the tournament: Can Watson do it? Can a 59-year-old legend who has battled yips and low confidence win a major? He would be 13 years older than the oldest Open Championship winner ever, Old Tom Morris.
I find it hard to believe. Then again, I could barely believe my eyes as Norman made his run last year as a 53-year-old.
7:09AM
The leaderboard is-a changin'. Japan's talented Kenichi Kuboya -- don't pretend that you didn't have him in your office pool -- is now leading, at 7-under through 4 holes. He leads 59-year-old Tom Watson by 2. Watson tees off at 8:20am, eastern time.
7:06AM
Good morning, Golf.commies. Welcome to Day Two of the British Open. Play is underway at Turnberry, and I'll be with you every step of the way today, covering the live action. Seven-plus hours, I kid you not. (Don't worry, I get paid by the hour.)
Can Old Tom Watson keep playing like the Watson of old? Will the wind and weather affect scores today? Will John Daly keep it together? All will be revealed today.
Send me your comments, questions and thoughts. Let's get to it!
Posted by: Chris Stone | Jul 20, 2009 1:15:56 PM
Was I the only person who saw TNT's Bill Kratzert kick Tiger's errant drive back toward the fairway on (I think it was) hole number 7 during round 2?
Posted by: Jim | Jul 18, 2009 11:59:06 AM
Worst television coverage I have ever seen.... could they buy a few more camera's?
Posted by: Greg | Jul 18, 2009 11:05:48 AM
Harlan are you kidding me? You honestly think he won't be when its all said and done? Forget your issues with his class, we are talking about the most prolific player which he almost already is...
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 7:15:51 PM
"Unquestionably be the greatest to play the game"??? There goes your credibility for any further posts.....
Posted by: Norm | Jul 17, 2009 4:56:14 PM
Hey what the??? One time in two or three hundred Tiger doesn't make the cut. How about you, Jerk???? He will be back.
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 4:46:01 PM
Free's up my weekend. If tiger isn't playing I don't watch. Who wants to see a bunch of second raters??? hahaha, well let's see about 74 of those second raters had better scores than tiger so......
Posted by: Norm | Jul 17, 2009 4:35:48 PM
Free's up my weekend. If tiger isn't playing I don't watch. Who wants to see a bunch of second raters???
Posted by: jeff | Jul 17, 2009 4:21:38 PM
mr weiss had it right. it should have been about tom watson. i hope he kicks rear ends & takes names!
Posted by: jeff | Jul 17, 2009 4:20:18 PM
mr weiss had it right. the story should have been about tom watson. i hope he kick rear ends & takes names!
Posted by: Penny | Jul 17, 2009 4:13:30 PM
I'm not a Tiger hater (just because you are sick of the non-stop media coverage of him during tournaments doesn't mean you "hate" him) but I'm a golf fan first, and I'll be glad to see some coverage of the other players in the field this weekend. If Tiger's in the field the announcers rarely mention anyone else.
Posted by: Nick | Jul 17, 2009 4:09:00 PM
Greg, you are 100% correct that Tiger is the top story in the sport. Even if you don't like him, you have to admit that he's great etc, etc.
There are plenty of us enjoyed the game throughly before Tiger and we will still be here long after he's gone. And as for those of you who CAN'T enjoy the Open w/o him, I feel a little bad for you. Only a little though...
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 3:41:37 PM
greg, dude, there were 20 more interesting stories than tiger this week. you obviously enjoy more stories about tiger wiping his a**
Posted by: Greg | Jul 17, 2009 3:28:30 PM
**NEWSFLASH** Tiger Woods will be the main story of golf until the day he retires because he will unquestionably be the greatest to play the game. Get over it folks. And for those that can watch and enjoy the Open now that Tiger is out, you could probably all fit into one room together to watch it on the tube.
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 3:28:18 PM
poor tiger, hahahahahahahahahahaha
Posted by: Sam | Jul 17, 2009 3:27:22 PM
The problem is with or without him, count the number of times that Tiger's name is mentioned over the next two days when (if he misses the cut) he won't even be playing.
Posted by: John in Grand Rapids | Jul 17, 2009 3:19:47 PM
Is Retief Goosen playing, how about John Daly, Calc in there? where is the guy from Japan that shot 65 yesterday, anyone, anyone? I saw that Tiger had a gatorade on the 6th hole, took out a gillette pair of trimmers to remove a nose hair on the 9th. I can't seem to find any news on this old guy, they say he's 59 and leading the tournament!!!!!!! can anyone confirm this? CNN, SI, ESPN, et al have no idea who is winning as their coverage has shifted to Tiger Woods having lunch with his wife.
Posted by: Jerry Weiss | Jul 17, 2009 3:17:22 PM
si.com really disappointed me. The lead story should have been about Tom watson. Instead, it was about Tiger needing help to make the cut. You guys are almost as bad as ESPN
Posted by: Tom | Jul 17, 2009 3:16:39 PM
So I wonder how my first round score of 63 on PGA Tour 10 "Play the Pros" will carry over into my second round after work today. Bracing myself for wind and rain...
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 3:15:26 PM
"At times", is the correct term. He certainly did not play like Hogan or Jones the last two days. Not the first time and it certainly not the last. It actually seems to be happening more, at least in the Majors.
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 3:12:54 PM
Thanks, Debbie, I definitely WILL enjoy this weekend without Tiger in a Major, thanks for asking! We all will be able to enjoy the golf and ALL the players instead of all the focus being on one player. I will certainly NOT miss him.
Posted by: John in Grand Rapids | Jul 17, 2009 3:12:04 PM
All you Tiger lovers, my goodness, get off the gravy train, the guy is out, and all the newspeople, are sucking up to their bosses wishing that all others fail to let the chosen one into the last two days. Now, how about a good report on Tom Watson, the 5, that's right the 5 time Open champion, a couple more than Tiger Woods. What next a report that he just entered the locker room to go to the bathroom, report at 11?
Posted by: bob | Jul 17, 2009 3:11:15 PM
Great job CB!
Posted by: Dean | Jul 17, 2009 3:08:47 PM
Allow me to reiterate, since I started it today. Tiger is the best golfer of his generation, no question. I feel, however, that due to his demenor and antics that he is not a good role-model. I'm not a hater. I wish he had made the cut...having the best golfer in the world chasing the leaders makes any tournament more interesting. I stand by my original remark...in my opinion, almost every golfer on tour has more 'class' than Tiger.
Posted by: Greg | Jul 17, 2009 3:07:20 PM
Of course that wasn't appropriate what he did using foul language, however my point was more towards you stating "at TIMES" he is at the level as far as golfing as Hogan and Jones. That is the absurd part of your statement.
Posted by: Sinisa | Jul 17, 2009 3:07:15 PM
Nothing wrong with not liking Tiger. He is only graceful when he wins.
Posted by: JFMIII | Jul 17, 2009 3:05:04 PM
I'm just pleased that we don't have to watch every single shot Tiger hits! The power of the pocketbook is huge, but it isn't necessarily the best thing for golf. That figure of players who perform poorly when playing with him doesn't account for the distractions that the tiger fans (not golf fans, TIGER fans) make. Watch when they watch tiger with bated breath, then have no qualms runnign and screaming during other's swings.
Posted by: Gordon | Jul 17, 2009 3:04:27 PM
T Woods did beat T Wood who managed to birdie 17 and 18. Too bad T Woods couldn't have done the same.
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 3:04:17 PM
Again, for those that think Tiger is in the same CLASS as Hogan and/or Jones, did Hogan and/or Jones EVER behave like Tiger after a bad shot? Did they ever curse out the press? Enough said.
Posted by: Debbie | Jul 17, 2009 3:03:23 PM
Harlan: I am Tiger Woods. And proud of it! Enjoy your weekend.
Posted by: Gord | Jul 17, 2009 3:02:28 PM
Any chance we can get some reporting on the action still on the course, such as the nine who were over par and their current relation to the cut-line?
Posted by: Stefan | Jul 17, 2009 3:01:17 PM
Another TNT gaffe. Not sure if anyone else noticed, but (at least earlier today) their list of top major winners had Walter "Hagan".
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 2:59:53 PM
connell, you're just as bad as debbie. get a life instead of living it through someone else. like i said, go play with tiger's long iron, if Debbie will share it
Posted by: Doug | Jul 17, 2009 2:59:49 PM
Actually Deb, the golf tourney is the story, Tiger is a subplot.
Posted by: Greg | Jul 17, 2009 2:59:43 PM
Hating Tiger isn't about any of that. It is about pure jealousy. You wish you had the success he had including the multi-zillions and the model. I know I do!
Posted by: Gordon | Jul 17, 2009 2:59:14 PM
Tiger would be in if they had a ten shot rule like Augusta.
Posted by: Tommy | Jul 17, 2009 2:58:52 PM
No problem: I'm still rooting for "TW" to win. Wonder How Watson would look in Tiger's logo hat?
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 2:58:22 PM
Jealousy?? Give me a break. FWIW, I used to be a big Tiger fan until I had enough of his throwing clubs and cursing. One incident really did for me a couple of years ago. He cursed out a photographer on a live feed due to a camera click. I don't blame him for being mad, but the language was inappropriate. All he had to do was apologize for the words he used. No way, Tiger can't admit he has ever done anything wrong. Even a couple of days later, he would NOT apologize for the language. As I said, no class.
Posted by: Rick | Jul 17, 2009 2:57:33 PM
I can't believe you haven't mentioned that John Daly is safely in for the weekend and Tiger has to rely on others misfortune to make the cut. When's the last time that's happened, if ever!
Posted by: Alex | Jul 17, 2009 2:54:45 PM
Love how "Debbie" equated a multi-zillionaire who sleeps with a model and has nothing resembling a real problem to picking on fat kids with low esteem.
Hating tiger has nothing to do with race. It has to do with him being everywhere, with everybody losing interest the second he's out of a tournament, with his smug fake image, with his douche of a caddy etc..etc..etc...
Posted by: Hoss | Jul 17, 2009 2:54:06 PM
After two rounds, TW tied for the lead and another TW missed the cut. Never would have guessed Tom Watson would be the TW leading and Tiger Woods would be the TW packing up.
Posted by: wysiwyg | Jul 17, 2009 2:53:39 PM
Wonder if abc is offering bonuses to anyone still on the course to tank it.
Posted by: Jim in TX | Jul 17, 2009 2:53:04 PM
Sorry, too many mixes. Still, it would be cool for Daly to be near the top.
Posted by: Phil | Jul 17, 2009 2:52:57 PM
This is supposed to be coverage of the tournament. Goggin is still on the course under par and Barrett has posted anything about player other than Tiger for the last hour.
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 2:51:49 PM
wow, debbie, simmer down. you don;t know him either so get off you're knees. the guy is a boor, no two ways about it. and bringing up the race thing? get your own life, don;t live it thru a boor
Posted by: Jim in TX | Jul 17, 2009 2:51:37 PM
As long as we are talking about Watson's story, let's throw Daly into the mix. How cool would it be if he was in the mix on Sunday afternoon? Go John, Go!
Posted by: Greg | Jul 17, 2009 2:51:00 PM
"Tiger in the same CLASS as Hogan & Jones? Maybe AT TIMES from a golfing point of view, but not even on the same planet from a CLASS point of view." LOL clearly you have some sort of jealousy thing going on to say something as absurd as this.
Posted by: Herb Tullis | Jul 17, 2009 2:48:54 PM
I really think that Jack Nicklaus got into Tiger's head when they were playing bridge together a few weeks ago.
Posted by: Herb Tullis | Jul 17, 2009 2:47:42 PM
I really really think that Jack Niclaus got into Tiger's head when they were playing golf together a few weeks ago.
Posted by: Herb Tullis | Jul 17, 2009 2:45:03 PM
I really, really think that Jack Nichlaus got into Tiger's Head a few weeks ago when they were playing golf together, with a comment like "I just know you are going to break my record soon, maybe within the year".
Posted by: huskergolfnut | Jul 17, 2009 2:44:00 PM
Currently, only 4 players need to go to +5 or worse to move the cut line. There are 2 at +4, one at +3 and 2 more on +1 thru 14. Looking bleak for Tiger, but still not impossible.
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 2:43:26 PM
I don't like him because he acts like a 2 year old and in my opinion he has no class. That is based on my watching and listening to him. I'm not allowed to have this opinion? But you are allowed to have yours??? Try again. I know it's been a bad day for those that LOVE tiger and give excuses for all his boorish behavior, but don't take your "loss" out on the rest of us. Grow up and stop calling people names because you can't get your way, heck, you are starting to act like Tiger.....
Posted by: John NYC | Jul 17, 2009 2:42:31 PM
The bad news is that Tiger didn't make the cut. The good news is that I don't have to plan my Sunday around watching the Open. And, before you flame me, I'm half kidding and will watch if I can, but I won't be as interested. Sure, I "should" be as interested...
Posted by: John | Jul 17, 2009 2:39:41 PM
There is nothing I would like more than to see Tom Watson take the trophy, but I don't see it happening. He would need to keep all of his mojo, keep knocking down huge putts, and have everyone else come up short. Possible? Sure, anything is possible. Most likely he stutters late Saturday or early Sunday and finishes top 15.
Posted by: taid | Jul 17, 2009 2:39:10 PM
I guess your work is done for the week with Tiger missing the cut. Us a little initiative - try to imagine life without Tiger. No choice this weekend ace reporter.
Posted by: Debbie | Jul 17, 2009 2:38:02 PM
You hate someone you've never met who has done nothing to you or your family. It's crazy -- just like bullying, it makes you feel better about yourself to bring someone else down to size. Who does this upstart think he is to be playing and succeeding in a white man's sport??? I know you hate all football, baseball, and basketball players who show frustration, right? Nah! You're hypocrites at best.
Posted by: Tom | Jul 17, 2009 2:36:46 PM
71-74 for Tiger. Identical to perpetual chump Adam Scott. That's gotta hurt. Not as bad as Ben Curtis shooting 65-80 to go from one off the lead to the airport...
Posted by: Steve | Jul 17, 2009 2:35:23 PM
Funny, Lee Westwood played with Tiger and put together a decent round, easily making the cut. You would never know it looking here.
Posted by: TLove | Jul 17, 2009 2:34:21 PM
In what universe is Tiger-hating similar to bullying? He is not exactly an underdog.
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 2:33:52 PM
Because we "hate" Tiger, usually because we believe he has no class, we're bullies? Incredible.....
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 2:32:15 PM
And that also assume that all four guys at +4 that have not finished, also drop a shot or more.
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 2:31:34 PM
only 4 players at +4 are left on the course. tiger is done
Posted by: John | Jul 17, 2009 2:31:27 PM
Current leaderboard on SI has O'Meara as 70th plus 4 more at +4. I guess that only two of those better than +4 could drop to +5 or worse; three who are at +5 could pick up a shot. Either way, it's likely to be close but I think the cut will stay at +4.
Posted by: Debbie | Jul 17, 2009 2:30:58 PM
Congratulations Tiger haters -- you live to bully another day! Now, where are those fat kids with low self esteem you can pick on?
Posted by: Mary Pille | Jul 17, 2009 2:30:06 PM
Great coverage of today's play - I was on the edge of my seat for Tiger's final few holes - thanks for keeping us "right there".
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 2:29:54 PM
Stick a fork in Tiger. Right now, by my count there are 72 players that have either finished their round at +4 or at +3 or better. Of those only one player, Mayfair, has not finished at +3. So, the only player not finished at +2 (Howell) would have to drop 3 shots to get the cut to +5, or one of the four players at +1 not finished would have to drop 4 shots.
Posted by: Phil | Jul 17, 2009 2:28:32 PM
Nearly every player still on the course needs to drop back to +5 or worse to move the cut line.
Posted by: bobt | Jul 17, 2009 2:27:06 PM
Did I read somewhere that Marino is playing in his first British Open? I'm betting the galleries will be huge for Watson and I'm wondering how Marino will handle it. Of course, that's if the pairings stay the same as they are now.
Posted by: Mike | Jul 17, 2009 2:24:25 PM
So, what needs to happen for the cut line to move to +5
Posted by: Kieron O'Connor | Jul 17, 2009 2:24:12 PM
Nice to hear the well mannered crouds and no whooping and hollering or mindless "Get in the Holes" after drives. This is how it should be.
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 2:23:50 PM
ohhhhh, too bad for wittle tiger. perhaps he'll go home and throw a few dishes
Posted by: wysiwyg | Jul 17, 2009 2:17:34 PM
"he'll have to hope the cutline moves to plus-five" and about a 100,000 TV execs and advertisers.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 17, 2009 2:15:49 PM
Within 10 of the lead is the US Open rule, not BO.
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 2:15:08 PM
Connell, settle down, perhaps Tiger will let you play a round with his long iron. It goes right.
Posted by: Phil | Jul 17, 2009 2:11:41 PM
Barrett has yet to explain how +5 could make the cut without guys at +2 or +1 coming back to +5.
Posted by: John | Jul 17, 2009 2:09:52 PM
I thought I read it was top 70 plus ties.
Posted by: Chris | Jul 17, 2009 2:08:54 PM
You said he seems to be playing for 'par or birdie.' As opposed to playing for bogey on 18 in a Major with the cut on the line?
Posted by: Brendan | Jul 17, 2009 2:07:13 PM
I don't understand scoring all that well, but I thought everyone within 10 strokes of the leader made the cut. Wouldn't that put it at plus-5?
Posted by: huskergolfnut | Jul 17, 2009 2:06:06 PM
Oops! One of them bettered it already. Now it's 6 guys that have to go the wrong direction.
Posted by: huskergolfnut | Jul 17, 2009 2:04:13 PM
Currently 5 guys would have to drop from +4 or better to +5 or worse AND none of the guys at +5 or worse can improve to +4 or better. I had to get my slide rule out to figure that one!
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 2:03:01 PM
Tiger MAY be the "story", but this weekend HIS "story" will be how badly he is playing, probably to include missing the cut. Personally, I like that Tiger "story". Maybe a bit of humility for him will help...
Posted by: John | Jul 17, 2009 1:59:02 PM
Pretty slim chance the cut goes to -5. Seven of the 17 guys better than +4 would have to drop to +5. Some would have to drop a lot of shots.
Posted by: huskergolfnut | Jul 17, 2009 1:56:31 PM
Hey, John, you're probably right about the cut. A few guys I was figuring to choke have already made it in safely. It's still possible, but a couple guys at +1 with 8 or 9 to play will have to really choke.
Posted by: Debbie | Jul 17, 2009 1:55:50 PM
Get it through your thick skulls -- Tiger Woods is ALWAYS the story! I know it pains you, but millions of us have the power of the pocketbook. And we want to know what's going on with Tiger. My poor, sweet baby. I wish I could cuddle him right now.
Posted by: Harlan | Jul 17, 2009 1:55:37 PM
Tiger in the same CLASS as Hogan & Jones? Maybe AT TIMES from a golfing point of view, but not even on the same planet from a CLASS point of view. Did you ever see Hogan or Jones behave like a 2 year old after a bad shot or curse loudly while on the course (or even in interview occasionally) and not even apologize for it. Tiger has done each of these things, the 2 year old behavior after a bad shot too many times to count. Enough said. I will NOT miss him this weekend.
Posted by: heather mitchell | Jul 17, 2009 1:49:51 PM
I'm at work, I'm a huge TW(TOM WATSON) fan, and am getting updates from everyone I know - wish I were there!!! Go TOM!
Posted by: Gotham Gator | Jul 17, 2009 1:48:27 PM
There are some other interesting golfers out on the course. How about some updates on Villegas (who just birdied), Westwood, Cink, Leonard...
Posted by: Tony | Jul 17, 2009 1:44:37 PM
So remember when Tiger would just overpower a golf course with his driver, and even if he was in trouble it was a wedge, 8-9 iron to the green? Why he went and messed with his swing is beyond me, and why he has gone from overpowering golf courses to playing conservative on EVERY hole in the early rounds is also beyond me.
He has tinkered with his swing so much in the last couple years who is to say he will ever get it back? not to say he wont win because in the end, even with a sub-par swing mechanic he has the talent to win, but so many changes can he ever right himself again and be as prolific as he once was is the question
Posted by: JFK | Jul 17, 2009 1:40:57 PM
Tiger Woods is a true professional. I rate him on the same scale as Bobbie Jones and Ben Hogan. I wonder if he is aware of the multiple-variable swing experiments happening in Denmark right now? Using Trackman radar for measuring ball and club behavior, the effects of many swing-variables are analysed in a two-hour experiment at a golf course. During this time, thousands of possible swing configurations are considered, and a 'magic' algorithm provides a golfer's 'optimum' swing configuration. Downrange sideways dispersion has been reduced (for some golfers) by up to 62 percent. The technique even considers medical challenges like knee damage, etc.
Posted by: Gotham Gator | Jul 17, 2009 1:40:35 PM
Is anyone playing out there besides Tiger right now?
Posted by: Gotham Gator | Jul 17, 2009 1:39:57 PM
So, who is the more unlikely leader at this point? Old Tom? Or the guy you don't even have a picture for in your database?
Posted by: John | Jul 17, 2009 1:37:38 PM
I would'nt be so sure about the cut going to plus 5. Looks like there are only a handful of players left o the course at plus 4 or plus 3. They pretty much all have to fall back at this point.
Posted by: peter janes | Jul 17, 2009 1:33:55 PM
I am surprized that all the pros rest on the putters when retreving the ball form the cup surly this maks a dent in the green
Posted by: Brian L. | Jul 17, 2009 1:33:04 PM
I dunno that ABC is swooning. Watson is a terrific story, and if he can hang in there through Saturday and especially into Sunday, the ratings could be great.
Posted by: John | Jul 17, 2009 1:32:15 PM
There are other golfers playing besides Tiger! Vijay just bridied and eagled to get to E on the day but I'd never know it from your blog!
Posted by: JMB | Jul 17, 2009 1:30:54 PM
What the heck is going on with Tiger. I can't believe this. What a bummer.
Posted by: Bob Kielich | Jul 17, 2009 1:29:10 PM
Is anybody else on the course besides Tiger?
Posted by: What the ? | Jul 17, 2009 1:26:49 PM
what next, is tiger going to pull a John Daly and just get pissed and pick up his ball? waht a poor sportsman.
Posted by: huskergolfnut | Jul 17, 2009 1:26:30 PM
The math isn't that simple Connell. The cut will move to 5 before the day is over. 2 birdies or an eagle and Tiger has a good shot at making the cut.
Posted by: Scott S | Jul 17, 2009 1:24:39 PM
Now how about that!!! Same first letter but different first name...Tom (not Tiger) atop the British Open Leaderboard!!! That has a 5-time familiar ring to it!!! I'd LOVE to see it come Sunday afternoon!!!! Way to go, Tom!!!!
Posted by: ransomjackson | Jul 17, 2009 1:22:56 PM
Tom Friggin' Watson Rocks!