All entries in this category
- Mark Orlovac
- 19 Jul 08, 08:43 PM
Well, that was fun wasn't it?
Today it was all about the wind as the world's finest golfers were blown off course by a howling gale that wreaked havoc at Royal Birkdale.
No-one was able to shoot a round under par and we will go into the final day with veteran Greg Norman standing proud on two over - that's right, two over - and two strokes clear of the field.
As the wind continues to rattle around the media tent, we'll leave you with the best quotes from an eventful day. See you tomorrow.
Continue reading "Gems from Birkdale"
- Mark Orlovac
- 19 Jul 08, 05:30 PM
A certain Tiger Woods may not be in the Open field this week but at least his namesake - well, namesake-ish, was in the headlines after the second round at Royal Birkdale.
"Wood's super shot has him dreaming," screamed one. "Last-hole chip for birdie makes Wood a Rose by another name," shouted another. And then there was: "Spectacular finish gives Wood edge in amateur race."
On Friday, Chris Wood, the 20-year-old amateur from Bristol, revived the memory of Justin Rose at Birkdale in 1998 by chipping in from 25 yards at the last for a second-round 70.
Continue reading "Wood handles the pressure"
- Mark Orlovac
- 19 Jul 08, 09:01 AM
"It's going to be a car crash out there today," said my esteemed colleague Rob Hodgetts as we arrived at Royal Birkdale early this morning.
High winds had buffeted our sea-front flat all night - it is not as glamorous as it sounds, by the way - and it was still blowing strong as we took our seats in the completely deserted media room.
It is amazing how much childish joy you can still get from being the first in, you know.
Continue reading "Blustery Birkdale ready to bite"
- Mark Orlovac
- 18 Jul 08, 08:34 PM
So, after two days of wind and rain, the 156-strong field that started the 137th Open has now been reduced to 83.
South Korean KJ Choi leads the way and is the only man under par, while veteran Greg Norman rolled back the years to go into the weekend just one stroke behind.
And as it begins to once again bucket it down at Royal Birkdale, we'll leave you with the best quotes from the stars of the show. See you tomorrow.
Continue reading "Quips from the course"
- Mark Orlovac
- 18 Jul 08, 02:51 PM
I've inadvertently become Birkdale's "Horror Hole" correspondent - and I blame the kids.
At home, my mind has been turned to mush by the chaos that having three children normally provides. You know - toast in the dvd player, spilt juice over the carpet, mud in the dishwasher. That kind of thing.
But as they cause their own brand of havoc back home this week, my brain has had to find another way to keep occupied.
Continue reading "Trying to tame the beast"
- Mark Orlovac
- 18 Jul 08, 09:12 AM
There have been plenty of things that have surprised us at Royal Birkdale this week.
For instance, we have discovered that when a piece of clothing says "waterproof", it doesn't necessarily mean waterproof.
As well as that, we have unearthed the revelation that eating the same meal in the same restaurant twice in four days is not actually that bad. That's investigative journalism for you.
Continue reading "Where's the party at?"
- Mark Orlovac
- 17 Jul 08, 09:28 PM
The first day of the 2008 Open has been a pretty memorable one.
There have been howling winds, pouring rain, high scores, player withdrawals and last minute call-ups - it's been a blast.
So, we've decided to round up the best quotes from Royal Birkdale in one easy package. Enjoy, and see you bright and breezy for day two.
Continue reading "Birkdale's best opening lines"
- Mark Orlovac
- 17 Jul 08, 07:38 PM
It had seemed such a nonchalant idea at the time.
"Go out and follow Sergio Garcia as he starts his Open campaign," Rob and I decided at our high-powered and ultimately decisive early morning meeting. "It will be good to judge his mood after the last two years of heartbreak."
It is a simple request for the grizzled hacks in the media tent that cover this event year-after-year but for me watching from inside the ropes it would be new territory.
Continue reading "Inside the ropes with the people's favourite"
- Mark Orlovac
- 17 Jul 08, 09:18 AM
The last 18 hours or so can't have been a comfortable experience for defending Open champion Padraig Harrington.
On Wednesday, the 36-year-old Dubliner had to pull out of his practice round at Royal Birkdale with the wrist injury he picked up in the gym after winning the Irish PGA Championship last weekend.
With Harrington saying he was "75% hopeful" of making it to the first tee on Thursday, there were major concerns that he would not be fit enough to defend the crown he won at Carnoustie last year.
Continue reading "Injured Harrington starts his defence"
- Mark Orlovac
- 16 Jul 08, 05:41 PM
I thought I'd kick off my opening blog entry of this year's Open with an admission - I think I'm smitten.
Now, before you lot start going off and telling the wife, this crush is not on another woman, but a 200-odd yard strip of land on the western edge of Royal Birkdale links.
And for the next four days the brutal par-three 12th will be the apple of my eye as it sorts out the men from the boys at this year's Open.
Continue reading "Paying homage to the 12th"
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