Robert MacIntyre entertains the crowd at the British Open 2024. (Photo: Getty; in the circle: Screenshot Twitter.com/TheOpen)
After his victory at the Scottish Open, Robert MacIntyre is being celebrated as a new national hero in his home country of Scotland. The 27-year-old is also being celebrated at the British Open, which is being held at the Royal Troon Golf Club on the west coast of Scotland. Not least because “Bob” combines sporting excellence with entertaining qualities. In the third round of the British Open 2024, MacIntyre had to decide on the 18th hole whether to take a baseball swing from the bunker, simply chip over the bunker onto the fairway or try a right-handed swing with his “backhand”.
The left-handed Ryder Cupper opted for the most spectacular option and positioned himself on the wrong side of the ball and showed an excellent full swing. The fact that the ball flew into the stands did not detract from the aesthetics. In any case, he saved the par with a dream shot to the tap-in from the not particularly good situation that followed his show.
The Open Championship 2024 Video: Robert MacIntyre Plays “The Wrong Way Around”
Justin Thomas at the British Open 2024 (Photo: Getty)
How different can the results be on one and the same golf course on two different days? Every golfer can probably think of at least one story about this. Justin Thomas has had a new one in store since the third round of the Open Championship. The 31-year-old from Kentucky tore himself apart on the front nine at Royal Troon Golf Club on Friday and needed 45 strokes to complete the front nine. On Saturday, the two-time PGA champion redeemed himself and played 14 shots better than the day before. With five birdies and four pars, Thomas set the record straight again.
Disaster on one day, brilliant performance on the other
Par-bogey-bogey-bogey-double-bogey-bogey-par-par were the scores on the first eight holes on Friday, before Thomas brought the series of mishaps to a climax with a triple bogey. After finding a bush with his tee shot, he tried unsuccessfully to chop the ball out, only to drop it a little later. On the back nine of the second round, he saved himself for the weekend with a significant improvement in performance.
Justin Thomas’ scorecards at the British Open 2024 (Photo: Screenshot Golf Post)
Si Woo Kim has played the first hole-in-one of the British Open 2024. (Source: Getty)
Huge cheers could be heard in the background of the broadcast of the British Open 2024. However, the reason for the fans’ ecstasy was not clear at first. It took a few minutes before the officials found the trigger and the scene was shown on TV. The image panned to the 17th tee of the Royal Troon GC, where Si Wo Kim was getting ready to tee off, and it quickly became clear that a hole-in-one must have been the reason for the so-called “Open Roar” that went through the crowd.
Si Wo Kim With the First Ace of The Open Championship 2024
And so it was. Like many other players that day, the South Korean took advantage of the favorable conditions and let his tee shot on the 217-meter par-3 hole come up just short of the green. After a forward bounce, it quickly became apparent that the ball was rolling perfectly towards the hole. The appreciative applause grew louder by the second as the ball approached its target. Just as Kim had almost turned around, the ball finally fell into the hole and the applause turned into cheers. The ace also did Kim good on the leaderboard. Thanks to the two strokes gained, the South Korean jumped back to even par for the day shortly before the end of the round and thus avoided losing places on the leaderboard.
Rory McIlroy did not make the Cut at The Open Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Early clue: Unlike Pinehurst, when he gambled away his almost certain US Open win, Rory McIlroy didn’t run away yesterday. Even though the Northern Irishman couldn’t cope with the wind on the second day either, missing fairways and greens at Royal Troon in a row and delivering the worst 36-hole score at an Open for eleven years with 11 over par. Nevertheless, he answered the media’s questions afterwards in an almost tidy manner and said that he was sure of a free weekend relatively early on in round two.
The Open Championship 2024: “22 holes and I’m thinking about where I’m going to go on vacation”
“Obviously got off to the worst start possible today, being 6-over through six. But then played the last 12 holes pretty well, bogey-free. The wind got the better of me on Friday at Augusta, and then the wind got the better of me the last two days here”, McIlroy analyzed after his second round at The Open Championship 2024. As a result, the world number two was already thinking about his vacation plans after the major quite early on: “Yeah, I think once I made the 8 on the 4th hole, that was it. 22 holes into the event and I’m thinking about where I’m going to go on vacation next week. Yeah, that was basically it. I mean, I knew from then I’d sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t going to shoot, whatever it is, 4- or 5-under from there on in to make the cut.”
On August 1, McIlroy will represent the Irish colors together with Shane Lowry at the Olympic golf tournament at Le Golf National near Paris. Meanwhile, his ex-manager Chubby Chandler is apparently in need of headlines again and has come forward with speculation that McIlroy’s chaotic private life, including his recently revealed marital problems, are to blame for the 35-year-old’s major misery. At least not everyone is pointing the finger at caddie Harry Diamond again.
Scheffler's Caddie Ted Scott struggled with stomach pains during the second round of The Open Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler played with a handicap yesterday at The Open Championship 2024. His caddie Ted Scott had to take repeated time-outs during the second round and then lay on the floor several times with a pained face while the world number one did his job without Scott’s active support. Even Shane Lowry and Matt Fitzpatrick, who were playing ahead of Scheffler in the group, noticed this and enquired about Scott’s condition.
The Open Championship 2024 – Scheffler About Scott: “He’s a figther”
After the round, Scheffler confirmed that his bag man had severe stomach problems. “Yeah, he had a bit of food poisoning last night — well, could have been food poisoning, could be some sort of stomach bug. But he seemed to feel better as the day went on. The doc here took good care of him. But he did not sleep very much last night apparently.,” reported the two-time Masters champion. “We didn’t know if he was going to be able to go this morning, but he fought it out. You saw him laying down probably quite a bit out there, which was pretty funny. He’s a fighter. He did a good job today and battled through it.”
Despite the restrictions due to Ted Scott’s illness, Scottie Scheffler once again played a good round of 70 and is tied for fourth place. On the Moving Day of The Open Championship 2024, the world number one has the best chance of continuing to put pressure on the leader Shane Lowry.
TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Shane Lowry of Ireland celebrates on the 18th green during day two of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 19, 2024 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
The Open Championship 2024, the last Major of the year, is currently taking place at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland. The tournament features a total prize fund of $17,000,000. This event has reached its third round, with players aiming for the coveted title.
After the second round, Shane Lowry of Ireland holds the top position with a total score of 135, seven strokes under par. Tied for second place are Daniel Brown from England and Justin Rose, also from England, both with a total score of 137, five strokes under par. In a three-way tie for fourth place are American Billy Horschel, South African Dean Burmester, and another American, Scottie Scheffler, each with a total score of 140, two strokes under par.
The second round saw some notable performances, with the best rounds played by players Shane Lowry, Daniel Brown, and Justin Rose, each finishing their round with a daily score of 67. This strong performance has helped them climb to the top positions on the leaderboard.
A video showcasing the Highlights of The Open Championship 2024 for the second round has been released, featuring key moments and significant plays from the round.
The tournament concludes today with Shane Lowry leading, followed closely by Daniel Brown and Justin Rose. As the final round progresses, the competition remains intense, with players aiming to secure the championship title and a share of the $17,000,000 prize fund. The final results and the winner will be determined at the end of the fourth round.
The DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) is the largest European professional golf tour. With 45 events, the tour’s tournament calendar is packed with highlights. In addition to the majors, the DP World Tour organizes other co-sanctioned events with the PGA Tour. The European tour is also a guest in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, hosting at least one tournament in a total of 25 countries. The prize money on the DP World Tour is lower than on its American sister tour, but with the basic salary introduced in 2023, players who have played at least 15 tournaments will receive at least 150,000 dollars. The season finale of the overall earnings ranking, the “Race to Dubai“, will be held in a play-off format after five “Global Swings” and the “Back 9”. The final DP World Tour Championship will determine the winner of the season in Dubai in November.
Shane Lowry's second round at the Open Championship 2024 was marked by a controversy at the 11th hole. (Photo: Getty)
Shane Lowry temporarily lost his lead at the The Open Championship 2024 due to rule disputes. The former Open champion faced unexpected challenges and rule decisions on the second day of the tournament.
Shane Lowry started strong at the The Open Championship 2024. The 2019 champion led after the second round at the Royal Troon Golf Club, having navigated the first ten holes with three birdies and one bogey, securing a two-stroke lead.
The Controversial Incident on the 11th Hole
The 11th hole, one of the course’s most notorious par-4 holes known as “The Railway,” proved troublesome for Lowry. His second shot veered left into a gorse bush. Distracted by a photographer, Lowry claimed his shot was disrupted. Declaring his ball lost, he took a penalty and played a new ball onto the green. However, a spectator found the original ball, forcing Lowry to continue play with it.
According to the golf rules, Lowry had to play the found ball. Despite his protests and frustration towards the photographer, the decision stood. Lowry incurred another penalty for an unplayable ball and played his fourth shot onto the green. He finished the hole with a double bogey, losing his sole lead and tying with England’s Daniel Brown. Despite the setback on the 11th hole, Lowry fought back to regain the solo lead by the end of the day.
Shane Lowry HOT Mic 🎙️ 🔥
🤬 “As I was over the ball I could just see you putting your f—kin’ camera up. Just get outta the way. Just get back there. F—k sake!” @LowryTracker
Bryson DeChambeau struggled at the first round of The Open Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)
Bryson DeChambeau, the two-time US Open Champion, began his campaign at the 152nd Open Championship with high hopes and expectations. Instead of advancing towards grasping the coveted Claret Jug, DeChambeau found himself languishing with a score of +5, placing him at T96 among the field. This unexpected performance has led to humorous comparisons with Rory McIlroy, who is faring even worse, two strokes behind DeChambeau.
Bryson DeChambeau Struggles with Equipment at The Open Championship 2024
DeChambeau, known as “The Scientist” for his analytical approach to golf, offered a detailed and scientific explanation for his underwhelming performance. According to him, the issue lies with his equipment and its incompatibility with the conditions at Troon. “I’m not achieving the necessary ball speed of 190 mph, especially when using my driver or 3-wood. These clubs are designed for such high speeds. Moreover, in these colder conditions, the ball doesn’t compress as needed, preventing me from hitting the desired parameters,” DeChambeau explained.
To understand this issue, it’s important to note the specifics of DeChambeau’s equipment. His Krank driver has a loft of just five degrees, and his 3-wood has a loft of nine degrees. Generating sufficient speed to launch the ball correctly with such low lofts is crucial. Golf balls also perform optimally at temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius. However, the temperatures at Troon ranged between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius during the first round, adding to DeChambeau’s challenges. He also uses a low-spin ball, which exacerbates the difficulty under these conditions. Essentially, his equipment is not well-suited for the typical conditions of a links course like Troon.
It’s worth noting that the weather during the practice rounds was significantly more favorable, potentially misleading DeChambeau regarding the suitability of his equipment. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen whether “The Scientist” can adapt his tools and strategy to overcome these challenges. Golf enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if DeChambeau can turn his fortunes around and climb up the leaderboard.
The eight hole of the Royal Troon GC claimed plenty victims at the first day of The Open Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy continues to collect negative records instead of majors. His opening round of 78 (+7) at Royal Troon marked his worst major round since his 79 at the start of Royal Portrush in 2019. Even worse, the Northern Irishman ranked only 130th in the “Strokes Gained” category, on a course that demands the utmost precision. “I didn’t do my job well enough,” McIlroy admitted with some regret yesterday. “My new goal at this Open Championship can only be to go out today and somehow make the cut.”
Since his problems yesterday began on the infamous eighth hole, a closer look at the Postage Stamp is warranted, especially considering McIlroy’s double bogey made him one of its notable victims.
The Challenge of The Open Championship 2024: The Postage Stamp
The Postage Stamp, a mere 123-yard par-3, has always been a highlight of Royal Troon, a course that earned its royal designation in 1978, 100 years after its founding. Despite its short length, this hole has claimed many professional scalps over the years. Designed by Willie Fernie in 1881 and named after the distant Ailsa Rock, it was Willie Park Jr., a two-time Champion Golfer, who famously dubbed it the “Postage Stamp” due to its tiny 245-square-meter green.
Rory McIlroy’s struggles on the Postage Stamp stand out, especially given his stature in the golfing world. His double bogey there contributed significantly to his dismal opening round. “I need to be more precise, especially on holes like the eighth,” McIlroy reflected. The small green and the surrounding bunkers make the Postage Stamp a hole where precision and calm under pressure are paramount. In addition to the Northern Irishman, the difficult hole claimed other victims. Major winners Colin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark also recorded double bogeys and Tiger Woods and Ludvig Aberg each had to accept a bogey. However, the Postage Stamp can also reward precision. Yesterday, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay demonstrated how to navigate this tricky par-3 successfully.
Despite—or perhaps because of—its unpredictability, the Postage Stamp remains a favorite among many professionals. It encapsulates the essence of links golf: challenging, strategic, and at times, unforgiving. For McIlroy, it was a reminder of the thin line between success and failure at the highest level.
Romain Langasque withdraws from The Open Championship 2024. (Image: Getty)
It’s not often that you see a golfer withdraw from a tournament on TV or as a spectator on the course. But after this unsuccessful shot on hole 8, the ‘Postage Stamp’, Frenchman Romain Langasque turns to a referee, holds his back and probably withdraws before the end of the hole. The third-placed player at last week’s Scottish Open therefore ends his Open Championship 2024 after just seven holes played.
‘Postage Stamp’ sends Langasque out of The Open Championship 2024
According to one Twitter user, the tee shot on the 108 metre short par 3 was already around 25 metres too short. The following shot out of the thick rough was also not successful and flew over the green. The video suggests that this was due to a back injury suffered by the Frenchman. The consequence: he withdrew from The Open 2024.
Don’t doubt that Romain Langasque has a legit back injury but this is an all-time “fuck it I’m out” WD nonetheless pic.twitter.com/zjOI4j5nPt
