Connect with us

News

2007 British Open Preview

Published

18 years ago

on

There is just something about the British Open, maybe it is the history, maybe it is the lore, maybe it is the golf courses, or maybe it is just because it is the greatest golf tournament in the world.  Most Americans either love it, or they hate it, but the bottom line is that they all respect it.

The Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world and it is also the most historic.  It carries with it a sense of pride, which few tournaments have or will ever know.  As you watch the British Open you are watching history right in front of your eyes, history that was started some 136 years ago, played on the same type of courses that they are playing on now.  This year’s winner will not only be the British Open Champion for 2007, he will be internationally known as this year’s golf champion, a distinction that no other event will ever achieve.

The 136th installment of The Open returns to Tayside and to the Carnoustie Golf Links. The third major of the year is sure to provide plenty of excitement for the fans, as well as plenty of agony for the golfers.  Carnoustie is known as being a super difficult golf course, and showed it’s teeth at the last Open it hosted in 1999, when Jean Van de Velde basically lost the championship on the 72nd hole with a triple bogey 7, and journeyed into infamy as the guy that lost the Open.  Although, this year the weather has been more favorable than the last trip to Carnoustie, and the officials think it will be a much fairer test of golf.  The weather has been producing less severe rough, and should play easier than 1999.  "We are not seeking carnage," said Royal and Ancient Club Chief Executive Peter Dawson. "We are seeking an arena where the players can display their skills to the best effect."   

There are some tremendous stories brewing for this years’ Open. Tiger, Phil, Monty, the course, and weather will all be stories at this years’ Open Championship.  One of the biggest stories has to be that of Colin Montgomerie winning just a few short weeks back at the European Open. Ending a winless drought since last year, Monty is obviously in form despite missing the cut at the Scottish Open, and could be ready to claim that major that has eluded him for so long.   But instead of considering himself a favorite this week, he has nodded his support in another direction.  "We have more players capable of it than ever before but Padraig Harrington and Paul Casey would be my picks”, recently stated by Montgomerie when asked who he thought could win this week at Carnoustie. 

Another big story will that everyone will be watching is that of Tiger Woods and is he ready to return to form after becoming a father for the first time.  He has taken a little time off and seems to be a little off form.  But knowing Tiger Woods and his amazing talent and ability, he will be there on Sunday.  Ask Thomas Bjorn who will be playing a practice round with Tiger, "I have a feeling that this Open could be very open, but I have an ‘unless’," said Bjorn at the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. "That ‘unless’ is that it could be very open unless Tiger has spent the last couple of weeks how he normally does before a major," he added. "If he has, then he could blow everybody away again." With that being said he is looking to become only the fourth man to win the Open Championship three times in a row.  He would be accompanied by Tom Morris Jr., Jamie Anderson, and Peter Thomson as the only people who have ever achieved that feat.  And when Woods was asked about the Open, "I just love the history, tradition and atmosphere," Woods wrote. "You need patience and imagination to play well, plus the fans are great. I’m really looking forward to next week."  So keep an eye on Tiger this week because when Tiger is “excited” about an event, it usually does not bode well for the rest of the field.

Phil Mickelson and his now healed wrist will be yet another story.  His performance last week at the Scottish Open showed that he is back on form and possibly over the hurt wrist, and looks to be a contender this week at The Open.  Mickelson, who finished second at the Scottish Open, looks ready to capture yet another major, and only several weeks after a wrist injury kept him from competing 100 percent during the U.S. Open.  A fan of the Open Championship Mickelson said, "I’ve not played as well in the Open as I would have liked, so I still have to perfect some of the shot-making over here. That said – I love it. I think links golf is tremendous."  Look for a big week out of Phil.

You might also keep and eye out for surging players Ernie Els, and Sergio Garcia.  Both have been playing well as of late, and had strong finishes at the Scottish Open.  Reteif Goosen, failed to make the cut at the Scottish Open, but should be a force to contend with at the Open.  You may also want to look out for Jonathan Byrd, who won the John Deere Classic to earn a trip to Carnoustie.    Most of the world’s top players will be in action this week at Carnoustie, so be prepared for another great Open Championship.   

This year’s event will host 156 of the world’s elite, from which the top 70 and ties will go on to the weekend.  The golf course will play to a yardage of 7112 and a par of 71.  The Champion golfer for 2007 will receive 750,000 pounds ($1,508,925) for his efforts. This will be the seventh trip to Carnoustie for the Open, with past champions such as, Ben Hogan, Henry Cotton, Tommy Armour, Gary Player, Tom Watson, and Paul Lawrie.  As you can see aside from Lawrie, the past winners at this historic venue are all hall of famers. 

Official Websites

http://www.opengolf.com

http://www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk
 

Television Times

Thursday, July 19       TNT 7am- 7pm ET

Friday, July 20             TNT 7am – 7pm ET

Saturday, July 21         TNT 7am-9am ET            ABC 9am-2:30 ET

Sunday, July 22            TNT 6am-8am ET           ABC 8am – 1:30 ET

 

 

 

 

Related Topics:
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

News

Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

Published

3 weeks ago

on

Aug 4, 2025

By

I’m going to gush in this intro paragraph, to get the emo stuff done early. I’ve not pulled harder for a professional to win, than Cameron Young. I coach golf in New York state, and each spring, my best golfers head to a state championship in Poughkeepsie. I first saw Cameron there as a 9th grade student. I saw him three more times after that. I reconnecected with Coach Haas from Wake Forest, an old interview subject from my days on the Old Gold and Black, the Wake newspaper. He was there to watch Cameron. After four years at Wake Forest, Young won on the Korn Ferry Tour, made it to the big tour, almost won two majors, almost won five other events, and finally got the chalice about 25 minutes from the Wake campus. Congratulations, Cameron. You truly are a glass of the finest. #MotherSoDear

OK, let’s move on to the Tour Rundown. The major championship season closed this week in Wales, with the Women’s Open championship. The PGA Tour bounced through Greensboror, N.C., while the PGA Tour Americas hit TO (aka, Toronto) for a long-winded event. The Korn Ferry lads made a stop in Utah, one of just two events for that tour in August. The many-events, golf season is winding down, as we ease from summer toward fall in the northern hemisphere. Let’s bask in the glory of an August sunrise, and run down a quartet of events from the first weekend of the eighth month.

LET/LPGA @ Women’s Open: Miyu bends, but she doesn’t break

Royal Porthcawl was not a known commodity in the major tournament community. The Welsh links had served as host to men’s senior opens, men’s amateurs, and Curtis and Walker Cups in prior years, but never an Open championship for the women or the men. The last-kept secret in UK golf was revealed once again to the world this week, as the best female golfers took to the sandy stage.

Mao Saigo, Grace Kim, Maja Stark, and Minjee Lee hoped to add a second major title to previous wins this season, but only Lee was able to finish inside the top ten. The 2025 playing of the Women’s Open gave us a new-faces gallery from day one. The Kordas and Thitikulls were nowhere to be found, and it was the Mayashitas, Katsus, and Lim Kims that secured the Cymru spotlight. The first round lead was held at 67 by two golfers. One of them battled to the end, while the other posted 81 on day two, and missed the cut. Sitting one shot behind was Miyu Yamashita.

On day two, Yamashita posted the round of the tournament. Her 65 moved her to the front of the aisle, in just her fourth turn around a women’s Open championship. With the pre-event favorites drifting off pace, followers narrowed into two camps: those on the side of an underdog, and others hoping for a weekend charge from back in the pack. In the end, we had a bit of both.

On Saturday, Yamashita bent with 74 on Saturday, offering rays of hope to her pursuing pack. England’s Charley Hull made a run on Sunday closing within one shot before tailing off to a T2 finish with Minami Katsu. Katsu posted the other 65 of the week, on Saturday, but could not overtake her countrywoman, Yamashita. wunderkind Lottie Woad needed one round in the 60s to find her pace, but could only must close-to’s, ending on 284 and a tie with Minjee for eighth.

On Sunday, Yamashita put away the thoughts of Saturday’s struggles, with three-under 33 on the outward half. She closed in plus-one 37, but still won by two, for a first Major and LPGA title.

PGA Tour @ Wyndham: Young gathers first title near home

Cameron Young grew up along the Hudson river, above metro New York, but he also calls Winston-Salem home. He spent four years as a student and athlete at Wake Forest University, then embarked on tour. This week in Greensboro, after a bit of a break, Young opened with 63-62, and revved the engine of Is this the week once more. Runner-up finishes at the Open, the PGA, and a handful of PGA Tour events had followers wonder when the day would come.

On Saturday, Young continued his torrid pace with 65, giving him a five-shot advantage over his closest pursuer. Sunday saw the Scarborough native open with bogey, then reel off five consecutive birdies to remind folks that his time had, at last, arrived. Pars to the 16th, before two harmless bogeys coming home, made Young the 1000th winner of an official PGA Tour event (dating back to before there was a PGA Tour) throughout history. What’s next? I have a suspicion, but I’m not letting on. Mac Meissner closed with 66 to finish solo 2nd, while Mark Hubbard and Alex Noren tied for third.

Korn Ferry Tour @ Utah Championship: Are you Suri it’s Julian?

Who knows exactly when the flower will bloom? Julian Suri played a solid careet at Duke University, then paid his dues on the world’s minor tours for three years. He won twice on two tours in Europe, in 2017. Since then, the grind has continued for the journeyman from New York city. At age 34, Suri broke through in Beehive state, outlasting another grinder (Spencer Levin) and four others, by two shots.

Taylor Montgomery began the week with 62, then posted 64, then 68, and finally, 70. That final round was his undoing. He finished in that second-place tie, two back of the leader. Trace Crowe, Barend Botha, and Kensei Hirata made up the last of the almost quintet. As for Suri, his Sunday play was sublime. His nines were 32 and 31, with his only radar blip a bogey at ten. He closed in style with one final birdie, to double his winning margin. Hogan bloomed late…might Suri?

PGA Tour Americas @ Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates

Some tournament names run longer than others. This week in Toronto, at the Heathlands course at TPC Toronto, we might have seen the longest tournament title in recorded history. The OVOPBVCCBMA was a splendid affair. It saw three rounds of 62 on Thursday, but of those early risers, only Drew Goodman would stick around until the end. 64 was the low tally on day two, and two of those legionnaires managed to finish inside the top three at week’s end. Saturday brought a 63 from Patrick Newcomb, and he would follow with 64 on Sunday, to finish solo fourth.

Who, then, ended up winning the acronym of the year? It turns out that Carson Bacha had the right stuff in TeeOhhh. Bacha and Jay Card III posted 63 and 64, respectively, on day four, to tie for medalist honors at 23-under 261. Nathan Franks was one shot adrift, despite also closing with 63. If you didn’t go low on Sunday, it was about the check, not the championship.

Bacha and JC3 returned to the 18th hole twice in overtime. Card nearly chipped in from the thick stuff for birdie, while Bacha peeked and shoved a ten-feet attempt at the win. On the second go-round, Card was long with his approach, into the native grasses once more. He was unable to escape, and a routine par from the fairway was enough to earn the former Auburn golfers a first KFT title.

Continue Reading

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2025 Wyndham Championship

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Jul 29, 2025

By

GolfWRX is live this week from the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, the Wyndham Championship.

Photos are flowing into the forums from Sedgefield Country Club, where we already have a GolfWRX spirit animal Adam Schenk WITB and plenty of putters for your viewing pleasure.

Check out links to all our photos below, which we’ll continue to update as more arrive.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

 

Continue Reading

News

BK’s Breakdowns: Kurt Kitayama’s Winning WITB, 3M Open

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Jul 28, 2025

By

Kurt Kitayama just won his 2nd PGA Tour event at the 3M Open. Kurt is a Bridgestone staffer but with just the ball and bag. Here are the rest of the clubs he used to secure a win at the 2025 3M Open.

Driver: Titleist GT3 (11 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 TX

3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees, A3 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX

7-wood: Titleist GT1 (21 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 Tour Prototype
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS (with Mindset)

Continue Reading

WITB

Whats in the Bag3 weeks ago

Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)

Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.  Driver: Titleist...
Whats in the Bag3 weeks ago

Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship

Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Whats in the Bag4 weeks ago

Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)

Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
Whats in the Bag4 weeks ago

WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship

Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...

Facebook

Trending