The Masters

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's generally thought that McIlroy was sat down by JP McManus a while ago and told look son, this is the way the world works, the money always wins, so drop the moral objections to Saudi and object only to LIV as a breakaway. As such I think he'll be largely (if reluctantly) on board with the new Saudi overlords as long as it's all in one place again.

Good to see the 9/11 families slamming Monahan, he must be one of the most flagrant lizard-men I can remember, makes Sepp Blatter look like an honest customer.

[Giggles]

Would the players not have any power to force a resignation? Or is it that all the really powerful ones (LIV) don't give a shit?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/65836419

Just when I was starting to actually like MugIlroy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's probably right, if by 'golf' he means 'the earnings of top tournament professionals'.

[Giggles]

Paddy H is still trying to count everything that was stuffed into the suitcase.

View Tweet

[Jimmy Floyd]

All you lot with green on your flags, you're as bad as each other.

[Ben]

I bet the Belfast Telegraph loved reporting on that one.

[Giggles]

I bet the Belfast Telegraph loved reporting on that one.

For some strange reason they've gone very 50:50 the past few years. Used to be basically a loyalist newsletter.

[Ben]

Probably because the North has realised it’s better to be part of Ireland than a stain on the bottom of the Kingdom’s shoe.

[Lofty]

Could McIlroy feasibly have said 'I'm not playing in this shit show on moral grounds, I'm already rich. I'll just play in the non-affiliated majors.'?

[niko_cee]

Has something gone wrong here? The US Open's not usually the tournament for such low rounds.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a par 70 and hasn't firmed up yet. Lovely course though.

[Lofty]

It better go wild today, picking Rose in my sweep team is currently a massive error.

[niko_cee]

I get that it is out on the west coast and all but the tee times on this are absolutely ridiculous. At least they seem have reined them in a bit today.

[niko_cee]

The penultimate group must be fancying a win here.

I really think golf would be improved so much if you got rid of caddies and course books and all that shite. Play the game like a normal person.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The one that pisses me off the most is relief from grandstands and other tournament paraphernalia. Rewarding the pampered fucks for hitting shit shots.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Also, Henni on the Sky coverage is one of the most brutally bad commentators I can remember in any sport. She's fine in the studio but jesus I have to keep muting it whenever she opens her mouth.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Last night I was treated to my third outing on Carnoustie Championship (£52 guest fee as opposed to the £282 visitor fee ). Perfect evening for it.

View from the top of the 'specs'-








Looking down 17-




Looking back up 18-




We weren't holing out gimmes but an 82 was a fair showing, even if that was with sticking tee shots on 17 AND 18 in the Barry burn only for the ball to bounce out on both occasions.

Such a fantastic course in wonderful condition.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jealous, of both the round and the score. Probably the best course on the Open rota.

[Waffdon]

I miss my daily walks through there. Some place

[Foe]

That looks bloody good.

82 is very respectable. Golf is brilliant when things are going well, but probably the worst sport where one bad moment or shot causes so much distress.

Was this a work related perk, or you got a particularly minted friend?

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Jealous, of both the round and the score. Probably the best course on the Open rota.

Got watching this video again, one I suspect you'll appreciate.

https://youtu.be/M8Op221OqMo

Interesting to hear Harrington's comments at 13:27 on Van de Velde. I cannot help but think of him on each occasion I've played so can only imagine what it's like in your head during a tournament.

That looks bloody good.

82 is very respectable. Golf is brilliant when things are going well, but probably the worst sport where one bad moment or shot causes so much distress.

Was this a work related perk, or you got a particularly minted friend?

My former manager is a member as well as one of the starters so he can get us on as a guest. Mum's partner is also a member too so spoilt for options!

Don't go thinking that 82 was on anything approaching the same course the pros play. There's a good variation on tees for everyone though, I've only played it off the yellows which is just shy of 6500 yards so a good length for me (5 handicap). Furthest back tees are at about 6900 yards which is still some 450 yards short of the championship tees which aren't available for day to day play.

All that being said, it's an exceptionally fair course. Reputations of 'Carnasty' are inaccurate- it's obviously difficult in layout but it makes for a very enjoyable round if you play from appropriate tees.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah nothing worse than these morons (usually Americans) who come to these places with a 6 handicap and want to play off the tips for strange ego reasons. Mate, you're not fit to suck a tour player's dick.

1999 carnage was an exception as they let the course get away from them, iirc, but it's given it a reputation.

[Ben]

Auto-Qualification:
Rory McIlroy
Jon Rahm
Viktor Hovland
Tyrell Hatton
Matt Fitzpatrick
Robert MacIntyre

Captain's picks:
Tommy Fleetwood
Shane Lowry
Sepp Straka
Justin Rose
Nicolai Hojgaard
Ludvig Aberg

[Jimmy Floyd]

Great team. Sad for Meronk as I'd have had him in over Bob Mac.

Think we might win.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Those Yank twats are going down.

[niko_cee]

Is there any merit to this or is it just a case of using Giggles' mob as cover for hosting it in the gulf within the decade?

I also eagerly await the FBPE 'why are British players competing in the Ryder Cup?' commentariat hand wringing line.

[Jimmy Floyd]

British players and Hovland.

Don't see why you couldn't have the Open in Ireland, or even in the Netherlands on one of those sand belt courses. Nowhere else though. Has to be on proper linksland.

[Giggles]

There's surely enough courses around McIlroy country without bringing it to Ireland. Stupidity.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Most of the ones up there are not really set up for tournament golf in terms of infrastructure and so on, which is also why we have to suffer the Irish Open at K Club and Ryder Cup at Adair Manor when there are 30 better courses on the west coast.

[Manc]

Nice to see Lowry back in form.

[Waffdon]

Harman/Homa is such a tragic team.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Their pairings in this sesh are all horrible apart from X/Cantlay.

[Waffdon]

Nearly as bad as the camera work and the quality of Europe’s clothes. The sweat is far too noticeable on their hats and tops

[niko_cee]

Nice to see a blue wall developing, although the Americans swept the first session last week didn't they?

Foursomes is so much more entertaining to watch than fourball.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The Americans are RATTLED.

[niko_cee]

Sloping fairways absolutely ruining the yanks at the moment.

[niko_cee]

Did Hovland just say 'lose your shit' in his interview?



Quite a bit of industrial language on offer this morning.

[Waffdon]

I’m pretty sure he did but the fact they never apologised for language like they usually do had me second guessing

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He 100% did.

Edit: And they've just apologised, lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Cantlay fucked USA hard

[Waffdon]

Not a fan of McIlroy getting another run out. Great shot on 17, mind

[Jimmy Floyd]

2-2 second session would do fine. ZJ has fucked it completely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not looking great in the afternoon session.

Need some nice back 9 play.

[Waffdon]

Windham Clark is ridiculous

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The crowd reaction when Thomas missed that putt

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rahm

[niko_cee]

Nerves of steel, or whatever it was.

Mentality?

[niko_cee]

I've only been dipping in and out of this, but has McIlroy been playing utter shite all day [whilst well on his way to two points]?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hovland is a hero.