2011 Open Championship is underway

Good thing my body clock is all whacked out since going to St. Andrews last week. That means I can wake up way too early and watch the Open Championship.

As it sits right now, at 9:37am ET, Thomas Bjorn is the leader in the clubhouse at -5 with Miguel Angel Jimenez (love that guy) at -4.

Rory McIlroy finished the day at +1. Not bad.

Phil Mickelson missed the first fairway and made bogey on his first hole.

Tom Watson just teed off with a bomb of a drive down the right side of the 1st fairway.

Dustin Johnson was at +2 but then he aced the 163 yard par-3 16th hole to bring it back to even. That’s where he finished. T14 so far.

The DVR will be working hard today, as I’m off to play my Thursday match. Hope my game has decided to return to my body. Haven’t played well since coming back from Scotland.

Royal St. George’s Gallery

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Categories: (British) Open Championship • European Tour • Golf Courses • PGA Tour • Pro Golf • Site News
Tags: (British) Open Championship

I’ve added about 50 photos of this week’s Open Championship course, Royal St. George’s, to the HOG Image Gallery.

2011 Open Championship venue, Royal St. George's - Click image for more

Click the link in the first line or either image to go there and check them out.

2011 Open Championship venue, Royal St. George's - Click image for more

St George’s course officials wear hard hats when Phil Mickelson plays through

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Categories: (British) Open Championship • European Tour • Golf Media • PGA Tour • Pro Golf
Tags: (British) Open Championship • Phil Mickelson

Very entertaining read by UK writer Matthew Dunn about course officials dawning hard hats while Phil Mickelson plays through during practice rounds at Royal St. George’s Links. The whole article is here.

Wednesday July 13,2011

By Matthew Dunn

PHIL MICKELSON’S scattergun approach to links golf led to marshals being issued with hard hats to protect them from crossfire yesterday.

Strong crosswinds were affecting parts of the course and news reached the chief marshal’s hut that American Phil Mickelson was struggling more than most.

To such a degree, in fact, that his practice shots on the third hole – an exposed corner of the St George’s links – were drifting in the wind and peppering course officials. Even before the tournament this year, marshals were asked if they wanted head protection to wear while carrying out their duties along the fairways. However, nobody appears to have taken up that option.

When the officials on the third did take cover, it was only temporarily as the helmets were soon replaced by more familiar green caps once Mickelson had passed through.

Other players obviously do not pose the same threat.

You just have to love the UK media.

Ousthuisen not showing signs of fading early Sunday at the Open Championship

Written by: Tony Korologos | Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • PGA Tour • Tiger Woods
Tags: (British) Open Championship • Louis Oosthuizen

Morning coffee, and a headache for me today. I spent too much time out in the sun and the 100 degree temps yesterday. I played in a city amateur, then hiked several miles in the local mountains. I have mild heat stroke.

After four holes Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa isn’t showing any signs of folding. Typically in major championships, players who are in his position tend to melt down. But Louis is looking good. He’s sitting on a five shot lead and nobody in the field is making any kind of run at him. Oosthuizen is leading in nearly every important statistical category.

Tiger Woods (currently tied for 27th) will be on his private jet on the way home before Oosthuizen finishes his round.

Phil Mickelson, who doesn’t typically play well in the (British) Open Championship is 13 shots back after 14 holes.

Paul Casey is in the final group and is five shots back. He’s +1 on the day.

Barring a nuclear meltdown, Ousthuisen will become a household name. I’ve already added him to the HOG tag list, which means he’s made the big time. But this is the Open and conditions are tough. Anything can happen.

Play has resumed at St. Andrews

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, July 16th, 2010
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • PGA Tour • Tiger Woods
Tags: (British) Open Championship • St. Andrews

10:44am ET

About one hour after play was suspended at the Open Championship, play has resumed. Play would have resumed a few minutes earlier, but Sean O’Hair was missing in action and they had to wait for him to return.

Classic shot of the old fashioned, hand cranked leader board at St. Andrews: