Thursday Open Championship Clippings

Lawrence Donegan sets the table for Thursday's opening round:

An unseasonably wet spring has rendered the thick stuff thicker than it should be; a recent dry spell means fairways harder and faster than anyone would wish them when the rough is this harsh; and a golf course architect with a misplaced sense of humour has disfigured this jewel of a links with one green - the 17th - with all the features required for crazy golf save a miniature windmill. The R&A's stated intention over the next four days is to identify the champion golfer of the year but, come Sunday evening, the gentlemen in blazers could be handing the trophy to the last man standing.

Bob Harig says Mother Nature is going to play a big role in this one.

More than a few players limited their time on the course to just nine holes, figuring it was no use. Better to spend time putting and chipping -- facets of the game that will be put to the test -- instead of battling the elements.

"If it stays like this, the winning score could be double digits over par," said Ron Levin, who is caddying for Fredrik Jacobsen.

"Yeah, this is all you would want," said Masters champion Trevor Immelman. "In my opinion this is the toughest golf course I've played on the Open rota. It's very demanding off the tee. ... This is going to be a great test this week, especially with some of the weather that's been forecast. The guy who wins this tournament on Sunday is going to be very deserving of it."

James Corrigan quotes Padraig Harrington about the state of his wrist and the state of the course, which Harrington predicts will deliver "absolute carnage" while Corrigan drops the first '99 Carnoustie suggestion.

Steve Elling considers Lefty's chances and Gene Wojciechowski believes Tiger's absence puts more pressure on Mickelson.

John Daly was brought into the press tent Wednesday and a controversy erupted (I know, stunning). Seems Butch Harmon is now to blame for Long John's inability to get sponsor's exemptions.

Martin Johnson summarizes.

Bob Harig's take is accompanied by video of the press conference.

John Hawkins raises this fine point about the whole affair:

What boggles my mind is why Daly was even invited to the media center. The guy hasn't had a top-10 finish since October 2005 and has made just three cuts in 12 starts in '08. Apparently, the British press requested his presence, surely aware that when Long John Scapegoat gets anywhere near a live microphone, the ensuing maelstrom of unaccountability will produce several pages of tabloid-friendly grist.

Ewan Murray reports:

Daly was due to tee off at 9.42 today against doctor's orders, having suffered tendinitis in his left elbow and recently had a cyst removed from his right hand. "It's an Open and it is very special to me," said the Californian. "I told him [the doctor] I'm going to play, no matter what."

Californian? The piece also includes "Four things other than an outspoken coach that might have 'destroyed' John Daly's life 'for a bit'."

Richard Williams says the Open provides us a chance to imagine what the game would be like if Tiger was never invented. Well that's certainly a unique way of looking at things.

Regarding the other hot player not in attendance, he grew a little cranky today in Milwaukee. And not because he's in Milwaukee.

“I just don’t understand it. I don’t know why they’re ripping me,” Perry said before the pro-am Wednesday.

Claire Middleton tells us how much tennis Greg and Chrissy have been playing and asks him what he thinks of the 17th green.

A prolific course architect, Norman also had a view on the controversial 17th green here. "They could have done a better job," he said.

Warning! This could be great or a total disaster: Gary Van Sickle and Alan Shipnuck will be live blogging round 1.

Golfweek staff picks are in, too late I'm afraid.

Golf Digest's Mike O'Malley has been culling Birkdale related nuggets at GolfDigest.com (including today's quote above). They make for nice contextual setters in case you are still struggling to get in the mood for the Open. You can read them here, here and here.

And finally, Bob Verdi is one of the few to report on the golf-in-the-Olympics press conference today and writes:

Also, there are other sports vying for those two slots, including baseball and softball, which will be part of next month's Olympics in Beijing but are dropping out for 2012 and reapplying. The other candidates for 2016 are karate, roller sports, squash and rugby seven.

I asked Juan Antonio Votaw to explain rugby sevens, and he said, "It's a quicker version of the sport, which usually has 15 players per side, instead of seven." I guess it would be like having a basketball game of three-on-three instead of five-on-five. Votaw assured me, however, that if golf makes it, each match will last the regulation 18 holes, not nine, or six. Votaw concluded that he is honored to accept his new position, which does not mean he is severing any ties with the PGA Tour or moving to China.

Wait, and one more finally...the Principal is back, just in time for the Open. Look out Monty and the BBC!