Not really, I would play if the doctors told me I might not survive 18 holes!

ONLY 2 Amateur Players this year (new qualifying rules?)

The US Amateur Champion for 2015 or The Mark H McCormack Medal (Men’s World Amateur Golf Ranking) winner for 2015 are not exempt this year. Did they make an exception for Amateurs last year at St. Andrews ???

Scott GREGORY (a) England is a 1/2 shot.
Holder of the Amateur Championship title after his recent victory at Royal Porthcawl, which also earns him a place in next season’s US Open at Erin Hills and, by tradition, an invitation to April’s Masters at Augusta National.


Stefano MAZZOLI (a) Italy is 13/8 at best in the betting.
Secured his place at Royal Troon by becoming European Amateur champion in Slovakia last August to pip Ireland's Walker Cup player Gary Hurley - also a runner-up in 2014 - by a single stroke. Stefano will be trying to emulate compatriot Matteo Manassero, winner of the Silver Medal awarded to The Open's leading amateur when he finished a spectacular joint 13th just along the coast at Turnberry in 2009 when aged only 16.

It's 30 YEARS ON since The Great White Shark, Greg Norman, with his shocking blond hair and power game, compelled attention at Trumps Turnberry.

His attacking style did not always come off but twice he played rounds of such quality that he could not fail to win two Open Championships. At Turnberry in 1986 he scored a 63 in the second round, equalling the Open record. It was wild and windy that year but Norman played so well he had a chance for a 61 before three-putting at the last. He went on to collect a long-awaited first Major by five strokes.

At Sandwich in 1993, against one the best leader boards ever seen, he produced a final round of 64 to beat Nick Faldo by two strokes. It remains the lowest score by a Champion to win and his total of 267 is still a record. Gene Sarazen, the 91-year-old former Champion, said: “Today, I saw the greatest Championship in all my 70 years in golf.”

Norman spent 331 weeks as the world No 1 and for a time was the longest straight driver in the game. But the Great White Shark also suffered many disappointments.
In 1986 he did the “Saturday Slam”, leading after 54 holes of all four Majors, but only won at Turnberry. He lost play-offs at all four Majors, including at Royal Troon in 1989, and lost successive Majors when Bob Tway, at the 1985 PGA Championship, and Larry Mize, at the 1987 Masters, produced miracle hole-outs.
We all remember in 1996 at Augusta, Norman led by six strokes from Nick Faldo but lost by five as the Green Jacket eluded him again. Norman became a hugely successful businessman with interests in course design, turf licensing, wine, clothing and restaurants. As a 53-year-old in 2008 at Royal Birkdale, he led after 54 holes but eventually finished six behind Padraig Harrington.

thought wood had neck injury

BUMP_Cant remember from the last Open at Troon but looking at the card the first 3 holes are 367 yards, 390 Yards & 377 yards. With the wind behind these look drive-able! Was anyone taking them on last time?

The R&A have given Tiger's tee-off time to Spieth, 9:03 am Thursday.
I'm not a gambling man (only €800 bet on the Open) but I predict we will be getting an overdose of Spieth on TV.
The sooner the "Big 4" are out of contention the better imo.
Moan, grumble, sob ...

irons hoylake

Really grim forecast for Friday. Can see play being suspended for a fair while and many players having to complete 2nd round on Saturday - which may be a big advantage for those due to go off late on Friday.

Speith practicing bunker shots on his knees. Cant practice that on ya simulator son!

looking forward to the open, just hope the sky coverage is about 156 golfers and not the big 4.
number 1 bet for me is b grace, disappointed with his last 2 rounds in scotland but that means the price is 33/1 and not 20/1. surely a major win on a links course is near. 
others backed all e/w
m kuchar
z johnson
j furyk
a noren 
m leishman
r knox 

good luck all.

Bets in order of profitability:

Anthony Wall @ 1000
Ryan Moore @ 490
Chris Kirk @ 370
Robert Streb @ 710
Shane Lowry @ 55
Sergio Garcia @ 32
Jordan Speith @ 14
Dustin Johnson @ 10.5

"feel like I'm the best player in the world." @DJohnsonPGA confident going into #TheOpen at @RoyalTroonGC.

Really looking forward to tis one,  McIlroy will be hard to beat imo win bet for me at 11/1, Matsuyama 70/1  e/w 7 places that looks a massive price to me also backed Fowler30/1  e/w 7 places he will either miss the cut or go very close!!  One  really big outsider i like is An you can get 200/1 e/w on him. 

Good Luck Guys.

Great post CATCH ME.

Any fancies for the first round 3 balls?

WArren and Leonard

Not sure, bit too difficult for me 1st round three balls in an Open, probably best to just take the outsider in every 3 ball! So many variables its not for me. Did notice Marc Warren though, his form of late is start well finish poorly, he has the big game for Troon, even considered him for the jug!

i have gone for

Kaymer
Reed
Spieth

also added Noh @1000/1   why not lol

The BBC must be watching this coverage on SKY and the great interviews and thinking OH!

Sully Sully Sully OI OI OI