The Open 2023

[Backsticks]

In one of the after practice round interviews one of the players said it’s better to go wide to take out the bunkers. I can’t remember the player now but if that’s a players choice to hit into the crowd then something is wrong. Choosing to hit someone rather than find a bunker?? Glad I’m watching from home for my own safety.

You do what you gotta do. Decade and the likes probably calculate the odds are better to aim that way. The crowd is a much bigger target than just the foot print it occupies due to being 6ft tall, so you have a great chance of stopping the ball, outside the sand, and it dropping in a lie that has been well prepared for you by the trampling feet. More may adopt this strategy tomorrow. Risk that the flat bunker initiative may backfire on the R&A. Getting upset with people saying the word 'British' may be the least of their problems.
Entertaining in a way though twas, should the Champion Golfer of the Year © be decided on the 18th by someone coming out the loser in bunker-to-bunker-bingo, I dont think it will go down as a successful tourny.

 

[timd77]

I’m sure they know what they’re doing, but surely you play the 18th as a 3 shotter? Lay up short and chip on close for a birdie putt, danger free? Personally found it really stressful watching JT, Rahm and Rory in those bunkers, Christ knows how they felt!

 

[Springveldt]

In one of the after practice round interviews one of the players said it’s better to go wide to take out the bunkers. I can’t remember the player now but if that’s a players choice to hit into the crowd then something is wrong. Choosing to hit someone rather than find a bunker?? Glad I’m watching from home for my own safety.

Just watch 18 tomorrow and how many will go long now after seeing the carnage today with the bunkers. I'm betting loads will send it long up against the grandstand or into the grandstand to get free relief from the drop zone.

Same thing with the fairway bunkers really. If you are going to miss make sure you miss by enough to send it into the fans to get a nice lie after you take one of them out. Sign a glove and move on.

 

[Redtraveller]

If you can come back with any decent spots you find to stand etc it would be appreciated!

To be honest I’m not 100% sure but I’m relying on following my mates to a prime spot tomorrow, however by the bunkers on the left side of the 18th was decent plus loads go left to the similar spot off the first. Back of 15th tee was good, side of 9th tee (I think). Enjoy it mate

 

[Springveldt]

I’m sure they know what they’re doing, but surely you play the 18th as a 3 shotter? Lay up short and chip on close for a birdie putt, danger free? Personally found it really stressful watching JT, Rahm and Rory in those bunkers, Christ knows how they felt!

The layup brings the OB right into play and even then it's not an easy pitch shot if the flag is where it was today. Much safer to send it left, hope to miss the bunkers and possibly get a free drop from being up against or in the grandstand. The only danger left is you might hit someone in the head with your ball but you can always sign a glove and make things OK.

 

[JonnyGutteridge]

Marco penge in the last group stands over the ball for ages before pulling the trigger. He did on 18 anyway.

I played with him about 15 years ago as a junior. Think he played off scratch when he was about 12... 191mph ball speed off the first tee I saw today!

 

[Backsticks]

The layup brings the OB right into play and even then it's not an easy pitch shot if the flag is where it was today. Much safer to send it left, hope to miss the bunkers and possibly get a free drop from being up against or in the grandstand. The only danger left is you might hit someone in the head with your ball but you can always sign a glove and make things OK.

If you put your arm out pointing left its OK to hit someone also.

 

[Crazyface]

It all don't matter over the first two days. Have you seen the weather forecast for the weekend? It's gonna be a battle out there. Survival of the wettest.

 

[Jason.H]

The layup brings the OB right into play and even then it's not an easy pitch shot if the flag is where it was today. Much safer to send it left, hope to miss the bunkers and possibly get a free drop from being up against or in the grandstand. The only danger left is you might hit someone in the head with your ball but you can always sign a glove and make things OK.

I don’t know how a signed sweaty glove compensates being hit on the head by a golf ball but that seems the norm.

 

[Pin-seeker]

It all don't matter over the first two days. Have you seen the weather forecast for the weekend? It's gonna be a battle out there. Survival of the wettest.

Saturday looks like a wash out.
Wonder if JT as seen that & doesn’t fancy it

 

[larmen]

I don’t think I ever had a 60ft put, but I bet I could still miss those large greens. And I would never leave those green side bunkers. Net double bogey isn’t a thing in the tour, is it?


Rory seemed to have played from the rough a lot and his puts didn’t fall. But for that he is fairly close still.

 

[BrianM]

Weather conditions look like they should slightly favour the morning players today.
You've got to think there could be 1 or 2 moves today up the board.
Tommy Fleetwood's ball striking was next level yesterday, will be hard to beat this week if he carry's on like this for the remainder of the tournament.
Would be a good Champion as well.

 

[srixon 1]

Just watch 18 tomorrow and how many will go long now after seeing the carnage today with the bunkers. I'm betting loads will send it long up against the grandstand or into the grandstand to get free relief from the drop zone.

Same thing with the fairway bunkers really. If you are going to miss make sure you miss by enough to send it into the fans to get a nice lie after you take one of them out. Sign a glove and move on.

Just play like Tiger did when he won there and take the bunkers out of play. A lot of today’s pros are too one dimensional in the way they play.

 

[Dando]

He looks Ill to me.

Mrs d said the same

 

[Barking_Mad]

Homa hit it into the grandstand, nobody shouted 4, hit a guy on the chin. Radio 5 commentary seething that nobody shouted despite it being quite obvious where it was going. Guy required treatment and was, very shook up.

 

[Dando]

Homa hit it into the grandstand, nobody shouted 4, hit a guy on the chin. Radio 5 commentary seething that nobody shouted despite it being quite obvious where it was going. Guy required treatment and was, very shook up.

Should be penalized for it

 

[Dando]

Matt Wallace’s shirt

 

[Wilson]

Matt Wallace’s shirt

There'd better be some 000's on that contract!

 

[D-S]

Looks like the R&A misjudged the flat bunker bases, Sky showing green keepers introducing slopes from the edges to the middle.

 

[Springveldt]

Should be penalized for it

He got a free drop and went on to make par. Ridiculous really.

If they don’t change the bunkers to allow the ball to roll more towards the middle they will need to start handing out motorcycle helmets to those in that left grandstand on 18.