OT: British Open scoreboard....AKA The Open

[Blakeon18]

TOUR Championship 2025 Golf Leaderboard - PGA TOUR

PGA TOUR Live Leaderboard 2025 TOUR Championship, Atlanta - Golf Scores and Results

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scoreboard after 36 holes...they will update it constantly Saturday/Sunday.

Better weather than expected...wind moderate/decent temps/occasional rain...not as
harsh as usual. Leading to some lower scores than usual.

World #1 Scottie Sheffler leads at 10 under after 36. 68-64. Superb second round,,,driving/
iron play/putting....all world class..
one back is Fitzpatrick at 9 under...from Ireland where the event is being held. He is legit...won
the U.S. Open a couple of years ago at The Country Club near Boston [great course].

Several others in the mix...Scottie leading the mix makes it tough though.
Coverage over the weekend is all day...USA early...then NBC.
Last major of the year.

BTW: The Country Club is SO private and exclusive that I read about Tom Brady [THAT Tom Brady]
and his then wife purchasing a home on a street right next to the course...I'm sure way spiffy.
They wanted to join the club....and were initially turned down. Now THAT is exclusive!

They finally were accepted for membership...reason given for the initial denial in the article was
that there was too much hoopla surrounding them...and that the club preference for publicity was
limited to when you were born and when you died.

 

[The deacon]

TOUR Championship 2025 Golf Leaderboard - PGA TOUR

PGA TOUR Live Leaderboard 2025 TOUR Championship, Atlanta - Golf Scores and Results

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scoreboard after 36 holes...they will update it constantly Saturday/Sunday.

Better weather than expected...wind moderate/decent temps/occasional rain...not as
harsh as usual. Leading to some lower scores than usual.

World #1 Scottie Sheffler leads at 10 under after 36. 68-64. Superb second round,,,driving/
iron play/putting....all world class..
one back is Fitzpatrick at 9 under...from Ireland where the event is being held. He is legit...won
the U.S. Open a couple of years ago at The Country Club near Boston [great course].

Several others in the mix...Scottie leading the mix makes it tough though.
Coverage over the weekend is all day...USA early...then NBC.
Last major of the year.

BTW: The Country Club is SO private and exclusive that I read about Tom Brady [THAT Tom Brady]
and his then wife purchasing a home on a street right next to the course...I'm sure way spiffy.
They wanted to join the club....and were initially turned down. Now THAT is exclusive!

They finally were accepted for membership...reason given for the initial denial in the article was
that there was too much hoopla surrounding them...and that the club preference for publicity was
limited to when you were born and when you died.

Thanks for your commentary and update, Blake... I've missed your golf reports recently.

As you might recall, I'm a lifetime golfer and have been fortunate to have played most of the best courses in the British Isles. Portrush ranks in my top five there with Royal County Down, Ballybunion and Lahinch, also in Ireland, and Royal Dornoch, way up north in Scotland. Carnoustie might be the best of them all, but doesn't have the beauty or offer the fun factor all of the others possess.

I've played Portrush twice, back in the early 'o0s and again in the 2010s. It is a great course, and from what I've gathered there, it is quite private... like County Down, we were fortunate to book a tee time well in advance of our trips.

I'm pretty sure Scheffler will win, but has to do it on the course. Even Nicklaus and Woods lost tournaments they were expected to win.

By the way, Fitzpatrick is actually English.

Cheers, Blake. Enjoy a good watch this weekend.

 

[Blakeon18]

Weather forecast for Saturday: not bad...cloudy/winds 10-15 mph.
Leaders go off around 10:30...our time.

3rd round has started: As I type there are 45 players under par...strikes me as
not 'high' for The Open but 'incredibly high'....whether it finishes on Sunday that high....doubtful.

Point of comparison: The U.S.Open last month at Oakmont had one player under par when all
was said and done....ONE. And it was one only due to winner Spaun dropping a 65' putt on the
last hole.


Off-Off topic: Deacon...a fortunate dude to play so many great courses over there.
How about listing your top 5 in the USA? Being a tad ornery...how bout listing a USA
course that is highly rated but you found much overrated?

Have you played any courses in the Adirondacks? Saranac Inn is really good....[not Saranace Lake Golf Club].
Saranace Inn is up for sale..I just hope the purchasers retain the golf course as is...high end real estate abutting
the course would seem to be their profit motive.

 

[boontonbomber]

Thanks for your commentary and update, Blake... I've missed your golf reports recently.

As you might recall, I'm a lifetime golfer and have been fortunate to have played most of the best courses in the British Isles. Portrush ranks in my top five there with Royal County Down, Ballybunion and Lahinch, also in Ireland, and Royal Dornoch, way up north in Scotland. Carnoustie might be the best of them all, but doesn't have the beauty or offer the fun factor all of the others possess.

I've played Portrush twice, back in the early 'o0s and again in the 2010s. It is a great course, and from what I've gathered there, it is quite private... like County Down, we were fortunate to book a tee time well in advance of our trips.

I'm pretty sure Scheffler will win, but has to do it on the course. Even Nicklaus and Woods lost tournaments they were expected to win.

By the way, Fitzpatrick is actually English.

Cheers, Blake. Enjoy a good watch this weekend.

I played Dornoch years ago. I've also played
Winged Foot( both courses),
Pine Valley, Baltusrol, The National( Long Island), Garden City Golf Club, Taconic, and Crumpin Fox, among others. And Royal Dornoch, in my humble opinion, is all by itself for playing golf as the creators of the game intended. And being set in that perfect little Scottish village of Dornoch just adds to the pleasure.

 

[The deacon]

Weather forecast for Saturday: not bad...cloudy/winds 10-15 mph.
Leaders go off around 10:30...our time.

3rd round has started: As I type there are 45 players under par...strikes me as
not 'high' for The Open but 'incredibly high'....whether it finishes on Sunday that high....doubtful.

Point of comparison: The U.S.Open last month at Oakmont had one player under par when all
was said and done....ONE. And it was one only due to winner Spaun dropping a 65' putt on the
last hole.


Off-Off topic: Deacon...a fortunate dude to play so many great courses over there.
How about listing your top 5 in the USA? Being a tad ornery...how bout listing a USA
course that is highly rated but you found much overrated?

Have you played any courses in the Adirondacks? Saranac Inn is really good....[not Saranace Lake Golf Club].
Saranace Inn is up for sale..I just hope the purchasers retain the golf course as is...high end real estate abutting
the course would seem to be their profit motive.

I played Dornoch years ago. I've also played
Winged Foot( both courses),
Pine Valley, Baltusrol, The National( Long Island), Garden City Golf Club, Taconic, and Crumpin Fox, among others. And Royal Dornoch, in my humble opinion, is all by itself for playing golf as the creators of the game intended. And being set in that perfect little Scottish village of Dornoch just adds to the pleasure.

Hi, gentlemen.
Thanks for your responses and thoughts.

That's an impressive rota, Boontonbomber. I haven't played the National or Garden City, but love neighboring Shinnecock.

Taconic is my home course, sort of, although 100 miles north. My brother is a Williams grad and we've played the course as members probably 800 to 1,000 times since the mid-60s. If there would be that "one last round" for me, I'd probably spend it walking Taconic.

Regarding Dornoch, you said it perfectly, and I agree about the village, one of my favorites in Scotland. It doesn't take long out there to figure why so many of Donald Ross' courses have the features they do.

Yes, I've been lucky, and worked networking channels with success over the decades. I have great memories of playing Cruden Bay, pre-Trump Turnberry, Troon, Kingsbarns, North Berwick, Gullane, on and on, in Scotland and also Portmarnock, Waterville, Rosses Point, Old Head, Dooks (a favorite of mine), Killarney, on and on in Ireland.

Blake, I've spent time in the Adirondacks but haven't played golf there, although I've long heard good things about Saranac Lake.

As for the best American courses I've played, they'd be Pine Valley, Pebble, Shinnecock, Winged Foot/Quaker Ridge (I actually like the latter more), plus personal favorites Harbour Town and the Old Town Club (home course for my Deacons).

I've walked Augusta National several times as a fan and would definitely have it on my list if I'd played it.

Then there's Beth Page Black, which is a great course but I'd have in the same category as Carnoustie... what a challenge, but not as much fun as the others on my list.

I've played about 275 courses since 1961, and likely there are some I should have up there with those mentioned here.

I hope others will hop on and offer their thoughts, no matter what level of course you've played. It's always enjoyable to hear about others' experiences.

Thanks, guys, for indulging me here. Slainte!


.

 

[Bald Husky]

In college, the Saranac Golf course was our home course. Since it was about 45 years ago I can't remember much, but it is a 9 hole course, not bad for being in an area that turns it into tundra in the winter. LOL. The only famous course that I have played on is the Congressional course in Bethesda Maryland. Extremely nice course, pretty long. The only thing I remember about the round is I chipped in for birdie from over the green under a tree branch, something I am very familiar with.

 

[Blakeon18]

After 3 rounds there are 50 [!] players under par. Many of The Open courses have weather as a significant
defense. When the weather is nice we see what happens.

Bald: I now live about 4 miles from the 9 holer you speak of....I did play there once maybe 60 years ago...other courses
nearby always got our attention. A former resident here was an active member there until a few months ago when she moved. She is 91...she did use a cart....told me her short game was pretty good....took more than a few shots to get near the green though.

 

[boontonbomber]

Hi, gentlemen.
Thanks for your responses and thoughts.

That's an impressive rota, Boontonbomber. I haven't played the National or Garden City, but love neighboring Shinnecock.

Taconic is my home course, sort of, although 100 miles north. My brother is a Williams grad and we've played the course as members probably 800 to 1,000 times since the mid-60s. If there would be that "one last round" for me, I'd probably spend it walking Taconic.

Regarding Dornoch, you said it perfectly, and I agree about the village, one of my favorites in Scotland. It doesn't take long out there to figure why so many of Donald Ross' courses have the features they do.

Yes, I've been lucky, and worked networking channels with success over the decades. I have great memories of playing Cruden Bay, pre-Trump Turnberry, Troon, Kingsbarns, North Berwick, Gullane, on and on, in Scotland and also Portmarnock, Waterville, Rosses Point, Old Head, Dooks (a favorite of mine), Killarney, on and on in Ireland.

Blake, I've spent time in the Adirondacks but haven't played golf there, although I've long heard good things about Saranac Lake.

As for the best American courses I've played, they'd be Pine Valley, Pebble, Shinnecock, Winged Foot/Quaker Ridge (I actually like the latter more), plus personal favorites Harbour Town and the Old Town Club (home course for my Deacons).

I've walked Augusta National several times as a fan and would definitely have it on my list if I'd played it.

Then there's Beth Page Black, which is a great course but I'd have in the same category as Carnoustie... what a challenge, but not as much fun as the others on my list.

I've played about 275 courses since 1961, and likely there are some I should have up there with those mentioned here.

I hope others will hop on and offer their thoughts, no matter what level of course you've played. It's always enjoyable to hear about others' experiences.

Thanks, guys, for indulging me here. Slainte!


.

Good for you, I'm jealous. Don't run across many people who have played Pine Valley. My kids grew up playing golf in our little Connecticut town with Rick Christian, who just retired after more than 37 years as "chief of agronomy" at Pine Valley. Amazingly, he was hired for the job at age 22.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think Scottie is uncatchable tomorrow.

 

[Blakeon18]

Sunday tee times for leading group....9:30 AM...our time.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Scottie is on another level from the rest of the field. He will be challenging Tiger & Jacks records

 

[MilfordHusky]

Scottie is on another level from the rest of the field. He will be challenging Tiger & Jacks records

Scottie has years to go, but he is on pace.

 

[The deacon]

Good for you, I'm jealous. Don't run across many people who have played Pine Valley. My kids grew up playing golf in our little Connecticut town with Rick Christian, who just retired after more than 37 years as "chief of agronomy" at Pine Valley. Amazingly, he was hired for the job at age 22.

Small world stuff, Boonton... I played Pine Valley in 1993 and in 2003.

Check this out: Rick had been a high school student working at a nine-hole course I'm sure you know, Stonybrook in Litchfield, for a gentleman I know well. Rick went to agronomy school and, as good fortune would have it, got a job at Pine Valley and, a few years later, I understand married a member's daughter.

Via his excellent work and circumstances with a predecessor 'chief of agronomy,' Rick landed the top job just a few years later. Periodically, his Stonybrook boss got to play Pine Valley as Rick's guest and, in 1993, my brother and I were blessed to round out the four-ball with Rick and his former boss.

Ten years later, we again were asked to play there, although this time Rick spent some time with us but didn't play.

Out of curiosity, is that how you managed an invitation to play there, too?

As I'm sure you'd remember, Rick and his staff did it well. The course was flawless, and lived up to my high expectations for both its challenge and brilliant design.

Lucky us...

 

[stamfordhusky]

Scottie has years to go, but he is on pace.

He is certainly on pace, but golf is a funny game and it is really hard to sustain that kind of success. For example, Jordan Spieth won his third major by the age of 24. He has now gone eight years without winning another one.

Another example is Rory McIlroy. He won four majors by the time he was 25, but then went 11 years before he won another one. A lot of people, for good reason, thought both Spieth and McElroy might challenge Tigers records. Didn’t happen, although both have had really great careers.

 

[boontonbomber]

Small world stuff, Boonton... I played Pine Valley in 1993 and in 2003.

Check this out: Rick had been a high school student working at a nine-hole course I'm sure you know, Stonybrook in Litchfield, for a gentleman I know well. Rick went to agronomy school and, as good fortune would have it, got a job at Pine Valley and, a few years later, I understand married a member's daughter.

Via his excellent work and circumstances with a predecessor 'chief of agronomy,' Rick landed the top job just a few years later. Periodically, his Stonybrook boss got to play Pine Valley as Rick's guest and, in 1993, my brother and I were blessed to round out the four-ball with Rick and his former boss.

Ten years later, we again were asked to play there, although this time Rick spent some time with us but didn't play.

Out of curiosity, is that how you managed an invitation to play there, too?

As I'm sure you'd remember, Rick and his staff did it well. The course was flawless, and lived up to my high expectations for both its challenge and brilliant design.

Lucky us...

And getting smaller, Deacon. I wonder if we've crossed paths.
I worked a summer at Stoneybrook, when it was owned by Mac MacTaggert. I was a high school math teacher(same as your good friend, BF) , at Wamogo in Litchfield. BF and I even rode together to Central CT when first working on our masters degrees. Then he left teaching, bought Stoneybrook. I actually was a member there for a year. He was a go-getter, and did a great job creating Fairview Farms, which I've never played.

I was able to play at Pine Valley in the early 90's. A good friend of one of my sons was getting married, outside of Philadelphia. I was invited to the wedding. The family of the girl he married were members at Pine Valley , and the family invited attendees to play the morning of the wedding. The girl's father, Jim Finnegan, wrote for Golf Magazine and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Rick's father, who passed away recently, was a very good golfer, as well as a well known landscape artist. And he coached the baseball team at Litchfield; one of my sons played for him. I ran into him after playing Pine Valley, and told him I was surprised, that I didn't think the course was that difficult. He thought I'd lost my mind; but then I laughed.

 

[The deacon]

And getting smaller, Deacon. I wonder if we've crossed paths.
I worked a summer at Stoneybrook, when it was owned by Mac MacTaggert. I was a high school math teacher(same as your good friend, BF) , at Wamogo in Litchfield. BF and I even rode together to Central CT when first working on our masters degrees. Then he left teaching, bought Stoneybrook. I actually was a member there for a year. He was a go-getter, and did a great job creating Fairview Farms, which I've never played.

I was able to play at Pine Valley in the early 90's. A good friend of one of my sons was getting married, outside of Philadelphia. I was invited to the wedding. The family of the girl he married were members at Pine Valley , and the family invited attendees to play the morning of the wedding. The girl's father, Jim Finnegan, wrote for Golf Magazine and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Rick's father, who passed away recently, was a very good golfer, as well as a well known landscape artist. And he coached the baseball team at Litchfield; one of my sons played for him. I ran into him after playing Pine Valley, and told him I was surprised, that I didn't think the course was that difficult. He thought I'd lost my mind; but then I laughed.

I really enjoyed your recollections/anecdotes, Boonton, and agree with the likelihood our paths have probably crossed. If you still play golf, try Fairview. It's always in great shape and it's very pretty.

My brother and I hosted a 160-player scholarship tournament there for 15 years and 'BF,' as he's now known , was a great host. We raised more than $80,000 for grads at our local high school.

If you don't want to play Fairview, go for the food. His chef, Keith LaManna, is extraordinary... lunch, dinner, whatever.

Anyway, be well. This has been fun... thanks, Blake!

 

[Blakeon18]

Well...the playoffs are coming up soon for the PGA but what I am really looking forward to is
in late September....The Ryder Cup.....being held at Bethpage Black....Sept 26-28.

The selection of our team should be fascinating....beyond the 6 automatic picks.
Does any knowledgeable...[of course we all are that],,,fan have any thoughts as to whether
Captain Keegan Bradley should pick himself for one his picks if he is not an auto member?
He has had a very good year....including a win in the Hartford event.

My impression from his post win presser was that he really does want to both play and be captain.
But he has said...change of mind is possible...that he will NOT pick himself to play if he is not an auto.
Got any predictions...got any opinions on his selections...would love to hear them?

 

[JeannoCT]

He said he was going to take Dechambeau. I'd like to see Keegan play too

 

[Blakeon18]

Interesting that he said he would take DeChambeau [currently an auto pick at #5] even if he falls out
of the auto pick. Bryson is an LIV player and will not play in anymore PGA events till the selection time.
He probably will fall out of the top 6 but clearly Bradley very much wants him on the team. His
explosiveness in better ball would be an eye-catcher.

 

[stamfordhusky]

Scottie is on another level from the rest of the field. He will be challenging Tiger & Jacks records

We'll see. A lot of things can happen. Rory McElroy won his fourth major at a much younger age than Scotty (Age 25) and was #1 in the world at a much younger age (Age 22) than Scotty. At that time many were saying things like "Rory will be challenging Tiger and Jacks records". They're not saying that much any more.

Jordan Spieth, btw, also reached #1 just after his 22nd birthday. He won his 3rd major at Age 23. None since.

 

[stamfordhusky]

Interesting that he said he would take DeChambeau [currently an auto pick at #5] even if he falls out
of the auto pick. Bryson is an LIV player and will not play in anymore PGA events till the selection time.
He probably will fall out of the top 6 but clearly Bradley very much wants him on the team. His
explosiveness in better ball would be an eye-catcher.

In better ball, not sure how anyone wouldn't take Bryson in a heartbeat. The only reason not to take him would be hatred of LIV. (Note: I hate LIV but I wouldn't even have to think to add DeChambeau to the team as my first captain's pick.)