Number 18 at Carnoustie promises to have some compelling drama on Sunday. With the dry conditions, players may be careful on whether to use driver or not on the 499 yard hole. They have been driving it a ton in the baked out conditions with a dry spell going through Scotland. (Photo, USA Today).
Carnoustie Golf Links, 7,402 yards, par 71
Defending champion: Jordan Spieth, -12 at Royal Birkdale. Exploded on the last 5 holes, birdieing 14 after almost making an ace on the par 3, then drained a long eagle putt on 15, birdied 16 and 17 and parred in for a 69 and a 3 shot victory over Matt Kuchar. It was an exceptional display of golf by the Gunslinger.
Weather: Some rain showers not a lot of rain though. It’s been very dry in Scotland and the players have been crushing their drives in practice rounds. Still a challenging track that can beat a player up. Ask Jean Van De Velde in 1999 who had maybe the most colossal collapse in major championship history. The Frenchman led by 3 shots going into 18 before triple bogeying while making some massively inept decisions along the way that led to a playoff in which he lost to Scotsman Paul Lawrie. Temperatures in the high 60’s, and low to mid 70’s, warm for Scotland and winds anywhere from 9 to 18, which could change over the weekend. High winds can cause problems.
Last time the Open was played at Carnoustie, in 2007, Padraig Harrington defeated Sergio Garcia in a playoff to capture the Championship.
TV: All times CT***
Thursday-Friday: 12:30 AM-3 PM Golf Channel
Saturday: 3:30-6 AM Golf Channel, 6 AM-2 PM NBC
Sunday: 3:30-6 AM, Golf Channel, 6 AM-1:30 PM NBC
Contenders: I’d put Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Masters champion Patrick Reed, back to back U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, who played on the Challenge Tour in Europe so he has several years of experience playing across the pond, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose in contention to emerge victorious just to name some big guns. Tiger Woods not likely. Phil, could be competitive, but I doubt he’ll win.
Winner
I’m going to take the 23 year old from Barrika, Basque Country, Spain. He’s ready to win a major, and I like him on his home continent’s turf. He’s got the length, and the putting to get to capture the championship on a demanding track. The Spaniard captures the Claret Jug on Sunday.
Jon Rahm
Like the 23 year old Rahm to hoist the Claret Jug on Sunday (Photo, Sporting News).
13 Responses
Nice preview to the tournament DW! Agree with your pick. He’s a LOGICAL choice.
Nice article DW. I like Rahm a lot but I am going with Justin Rose this week. The course looks firm and fast.and I expect Rose’s putter to come alive this week.
Due to the dry conditions and long drives this is wide open. I am going with Justin Thomas because I like him.
Thanks Logic!
OK, thanks Bama.
Thanks WP. I was thinking about Thomas, as I was thinking about Rose. It’s pretty wide open. I’ll stick with Rahm. He’s ready to win on the big stage on his home turf.
Bama, Saw J3 on the roster. Awesome stuff.
David- Great coverage and pick. I always assume that a European player will win this tournament. However that is not always the case. I’ll go with Rose but that can and will change with the wind and weather. I’m just looking forward to watching.
Staige Hoffman, Sr.
Thanks SH!
I will take a different Spaniard. Give me Sergio
You got it Brownie, and may the best Amigo win.
Passing along my fantasy picks placed on Monday. A lot of golf to play.
Brooks Koepka, just sounds like a tough guy name – An image of the Russian opponent from the Rocky movie!
Tommy Fleetwood- Perhaps too pretty to win this one, but looks good on my list!
Francesco Molinari My favorite Italian in sports-split with his brother!
Louis Oosthuizen- he has won before- and I love his name!
Charley Hoffman-Samson got better when he lost his long hair? No, No reverse that!
Zach Johnson-pulling for him in a big way- his emotion and heart is inspiring!
Thomas Pieters-didn’t you have a buddy at prep school named TP?
Well, that is my list and I may appear sharp at the moment, But it can be a 76 hole event. Otherwise, a long way to go!
Thanks Spike! A lot of guys mixing it up. Should be spectacular.