No, sadly I didn't get to see any of it.
No, sadly I didn't get to see any of it.
Only saw the highlights too but I really like Spieth, hope he just keeps winning!
by Kyle Porter - CBS Sports
On Wednesday, Phil Mickelson apologized for hitting a still-moving putt at the 2018 U.S. Open in a text message to several reporters. Mickelson, who previously had defended his actions on the 13th green in Round 3 at Shinnecock Hills, noted that his frustration and anger boiled over and he more or less snapped.
"I know this should've come sooner, but it's taken me a few days to calm down," Mickelson wrote to reporters. "My anger and frustration got the best of me last weekend. I'm embarrassed and disappointed by my actions. It was clearly not my finest moment and I'm sorry."
It was certainly not his finest moment, but the contrition will likely turn the tide for many. Heck, a huge group of fans were rooting him on to begin with to stick it to the crooked USGA (or some variation of that).
Originally, Mickelson said that he'd thought before about putting a moving ball that was going off the green and just taking the two-stroke penalty. It became clear over time that this was not necessarily the case, and that Mickelson simply lost it in the moment (I think we've all been there as golfers).
"I don't mean disrespect to anybody," said Mickelson on Saturday after his round. "I know it's a two-shot penalty. At that time, I just didn't feel like going back and forth and hitting the same shot over. I took the two-shot penalty and moved on. It's my understanding of the rules. I've had multiple times where I've wanted to do that. I just finally did."
He was eventually cleared of disqualification as the USGA applied Rule 14-5, which states that you can hit a moving ball and receive a two-stroke penalty without disqualification, even if the rule may have been incorrectly applied.
Mickelson's wife, Amy, said he offered to withdraw from the tournament.
I've never been a Phil fan but the circus after this event has been absurd. I saw one article saying he killed the game of golf or something He did what almost every amateur player has done with their friends after a few beers, chasing a rolling ball. Sure, he did it intentionally knowing there was an odd couple of rules at play, but get over it, he apologized and offered to withdraw.
I rarely drive that far in my car
By Richard Elias - The Express
THE captain of Carnoustie Golf Club has caused controversy by saying the town is too small to host The Open. The world’s best players tee off this morning on Bill Thompson’s home course in Angus.
But yesterday, he hit out at tournament organisers the R&A, claiming that his members will suffer while the stars compete for the championship.
He claimed that parts of the historic golf course had been torn up to allow hospitality tents to be pitched as more than 50,000 spectators head to this week’s event.
And he complained that the “corporate machine” had overgrown The Open, and members’ enjoyment of their club was suffering as a result.
Changes to ticket policies and tighter security around parking and road closures means local residents and visitors face more restrictions this year.
Mr Thompson told the BBC: “We have 14,000 residents – we are not built for 45-50,000 people. It is changing the balance. The balance was that
you would always put up with an element of disruption, and a number of weeks with not playing the course, and a number of weeks with less play.
“But for the first time we have actually seen pieces of the golf course torn up for corporate hospitality tents. We have already lost several weeks of play and we will lose more before they come back into play.
“It is difficult because the venues all want to have the Open because it is a badge that brings business. It allows them to set green fees to a certain level and the income to allow them to pay for the many, many green-keepers and the great courses we get to play on all year round.
“But at the end of the day, this is a machine, a corporate machine which is run very professionally but as a machine, there is very little input, very little communication.
“We are absolutely on the periphery of this tournament. When it goes away next week we will be hoping to try to re-baseline our business back to what we do, which is look after our members and welcome visitors.”
Mr Thompson’s comments are controversial, considering that the Championship brings an estimated £140million to the Scottish economy.
The 2016 event at Royal Troon boosted the local area by around £25million.
The chief executive of the R&A, Martin Slumbers, answered Mr Thompson’s criticisms last night.
He said: “I think everyone has a point but I’m not sure I agree with him. The Open has grown as golf has grown. The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and the infrastructure definitely has grown around it.
“But we feel very strongly that this is a great golf course, and there is plenty of space here.”
He added: “I wish we talked more positively about here.
“We are very proud to showcase this golf course and this town on the world stage.
“At the heart of every Open, there has to be a classic links golf course, and that’s what we have, and we work around that.”
Tiger shot a 66 today!! Shame he couldn't string together a few more birdies on Thursday & Friday but he's still right up there.
Francesco!!!!
BROOKS
I think we can safely say that Tiger's back now, been in contention the last two majors and shooting 64 in the final round is like the Tiger of old.
The coverage over here was non-existent, first major in living memory that wasnt on tv. Some internet streaming firm bought the rights and apparently the coverage was shite unsurprisingly.
Tiga' Motherfuckin' Woods y'all.
Did you see those crowds? They were fired up like nothing we've seen in years. You can't tell me golf doesn't still need Tiger Woods out there winning.
Goofy (09-24-2018)