Conference 7.286::golf

	This is a tough one.  I'll go with Greg Norman, followed closely by 
Ian Woosnam and Payne Stewart.

Beak

    i pick tom kite with olazabal second.

Watson

    Maybe hitting fairways will matter over there.  Curtis hit more than
    anyone else in the U.S. Open, but the roughs were kind to everyone.
    
    If the course is difficult, he's got a chance.
    
    Rick

    Paul Azinger will win after a playoff with Steve Jones

    Ian Woosnam
    
    Followed by
    
    Calcavecchia
    Rafferty
    Azinger
    and
    Irwin
    
    Ted

    
    	Azinger (he is back to playing his game)
    
    
    	Norman
    	Donald

    I pick Hale Erwin.
    
    I say he's rolling. And you got to like a guy that does
    "high fives" with the crowd!
    Ang
    

    Imaging Irwin winning it!!!
    
    But my  pick  is  Woosnam,  winning on a playoff to Olazabal.  Norman
    making his classic  Sunday  "come  back from 10 behind" but missing a
    10 feet putt on the 18th to make it a three way playoff.

    Tavo    

    Mark Calcavecchia  #1,  Hale Irwin #2

    
    
    Love to see the Golden Bear up their again!!!
    
    But Greg norman is getting all the wraps about his game and state of 
    
    mind. Ian Woosnam will be up there as well.
    
    Greg followed by Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo a certain top five
    
    contender.	
    
    
    Luke

    re previous replies.
    
    I'm reading a lot of amazing stuff here.
    Steve Jones for a playoff ..!!, Mike Donald ! ( has he ever played
    a links course in his life, does anyone know?).
    
    Realistically, the problem of making picks for the Open at St Andrews
    is that the course is totally unique. This reduces the likely winners
    list, i think.
    So much will depend on the weather. Curtis Strange holds the course
    record ( a 62 ) but only because the day he played there was no
    wind and the greens were soft. Like wise Calcavecchia won the Open
    last year on a week where the only wind was Norman fuming on the
    last hole.
    When you put all these factors in the computer what comes out is....
    
    I haven't a clue !
    
    martin.
    PS. I would like to see Woosnam or Lyle ( unlikely ) win ,though.
    

    re.12
    
    I thought Faldo was out??
    
         Ted

    
    Tom Watson has been there before and he's playing pretty well. Chip it
    close Tom so you don't have to putt much!!!!!!
    
    
    Joe

    I think Greg Norman will win this years British Open.
    
    Mark
    
    

Its going to depend on the weather - June has been unsettled, and there doesnt
look like much let up in the long range forecast either. While the weather may
be dull the golf certainly wont be - those playing the European tour must have
the advantage. 

	Top five at the end of the fourth round (not in any particular order)

		Jose Maria Olazabal (Playing with such maturity)
		Payne Stewart (Popular american North of the Border and in form)
		Greg Norman (might even set a new course record - sorry Curtis)
		Roger Davis (Acclimatised Aussie)
		Richard Boxall (Birdie king on the European tour)


	But I expect the claret jug will go to

		Roger Davis by one shot from Olazabal - no play-off

	after all the guy has bet on himself to top the European Order of 
	Merit and stands to win as much in betting slips as he would in 
	prize money. Still - I would prefer it to go to Lyle....but it doesnt
	look like Scotland's year

 Players to watch are:-(no particular order):
    
           Nick Faldo- Arguably the best player in the world consistently
                      a top ten finisher, was unfortunate in the US open.
                      Injury to hand may prevent Faldo winning. 
                      if conditions are tough expect him to be there or there
                      abouts.
  
           Greg Norman- If he can go out and hit a low first round score
                        expect him to be in at the death again.
                        His pride was hurt last year will want this more
                        than anything.

         Jose Olazabal- In great form at the moment. But Questionable as
                        to whether he can handle the pressure of winning a major

         Mark Calcavechia-Defending champ,will be tough to oust.But expect his
                          inflated ego to cause his demise.

         Seve Ballesteros-Has not won for a while,his motivation is questionable
                          But he has a point to prove,after the recent Ryder cup
                          decision not to go to spain.Will play well.


         Jack Nicklaus-Still the greatest in my opinion,knows this course well
                       Will win another major,Chance depends on conditions.

         Tom Watson -  Always does well in Scotland,expect to see him contesting
                     on final day.

         Hale Irwin - On an unexpected high.Will play well.

         Sandy Lyle - Has had a nightmare last 2 years. But seems to be turning
                      it around.Expect his improvement to continue.

         Curtis Strange- Losing his US open title hurt.will challenge for this 
                         in a big way








My prediction is GREG NORMAN to win and win well.
Others to be up there:-Watson,Strange,Ballesteros,Faldo

I hope the Weather improves a little from the poor weather were having 
at present,and that the tournament is blessed with superb golf from all
the top players.




Andy.....................

    
    
    
    
    My sentimental pick is Tom Watson my all time favorite but
    I think he lacks the confidence to win again.Expect him to 
    place in the top 10.
    
    I also like Greg Norman but he won't win any major until he
    can string 2-3 good rounds together and not try to be Mr.
    Miracle man on the fimal round.He will be in the top 5.
    
    I've been watching J.M. Olazabal latley.I think he has a very 
    good chance of winning it all.
    
    Other picks not necessarily in order:
    	Curtis- always tough in the majors
    	The Walrus- He is due for another one.
    	Jack- Can never count him out playing very well lately.
    	Nick Faldo- Also very tough but hand may be a factor.
    	Hale Irwin- Riding very high at the moment.
    
    Perry
    

    re .19  
    
    THE WALRUS ????  (now that's what I call a long shot !)
    
    P.S. Hey Gene, when can we start fighting with the Brits again ?
    This note is boring without some international bickering.
    
    BTW, I agree with one of the previous noters who basically said
    it's a crap shoot impossible to call.

    
    
    
       The "cow-pasture" of St. Andrews will prove yet again that the
    mob from across the pond, (or in it after last years Ryder Cup!!!)
    are totally out of their depth and I confidently predict that the
    winner this year will not be a yank. After being defeated, they'll
    moan about the weather, the course, the greens, the bunkers etc
    simply because the course wasn't manicured to their specifications.
    Lets hope from some wind, some rain and see how bad the yanks can
    play on a true links course.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
            
    
     As the man says, LET'S FIGHT  :-) :-) :-) :-)
    
                  Danny
                       

    I hope the course is terrible... that way accurracy will be a premium.
    Mr. Unusual will be like a surgeon, and methodically extract contenders
    one by one by one by one by one.....................
    
	Rick

    
    After Calcavechia's "fluke" win last year (the man doesn't deserve
    to be THE Open Champion because he doesn't have the talent ie. all
    brawn and no brains) the only way a Yank will win is if no one else
    turns up .
    
     Faldo's the master and the only way he didn't win the 2nd rate
    US Open was because he had an injury to his hand.
     
     Here's to a European victory . 
              (and a continuation of their dominance of world golf !!)
                                    
    
    My pick is Nick Faldo (if fit) over Jose Maria Olazabal
                           
    
    :-)

    As I walk out the door I again will pick the unknown American, I wish I
    could be sure which ones will play:
    
    	Scott Hoch - he couldn't quite pick it up on last day of open
    
    I agree with the dark horse Stadler pick - he is always there at majors
    
    I like Jack and from results of senior open (thurs) perhaps his mind is
    on St. Andrews.
    
    Finally, it seems that only a virtual shutout of Europe in next Ryder
    cup will quiet some; I will say that Faldo is magnificent competitor
    

    If Putt-Putt golf re-opened some European player might have
    a chance of winning. It sure won't be the limp wristed Faldo
    though !!!!  Paul Azinger will thrash the lads with their
    own shelaighly's (sp?)
    
    Mad Hacker

    Olazabal, world's greatest Basque golfer...besides, I want to hear
    Seve pronounce the name, so we'll finally get it right!

    
    	Being that Watson has been "involved" lately... I have a sneeky
    feeling he REALLY wants to tie the record for 6 British Opens. Like
    he would do anything to win...  I think he'll even go as far as
    make putting his strength ! 
    
    	C'Mon Tom  you can do it (again) !!!!
    
    	Walta

   
    Re. .17
    
    Colin,
    
    What a Scotsman and an Englishman agreeing...that's a first!!
    
    I too think Rodger Davis may well pick up the jug. However, I think
    Jose Maria O also is now ready.(he won the Irish Open on a links
    course in bad conditions). Also can't rule out my old fav' 
    Nick Faldo, bad wrist or no bad wrist.
    
    Good to be back in circulation.
    
    
    Phil.
    
    

    I have a vision that looks like this:
    
    In order of finish
    
    Faldo (if he's OK to play)
    Woosnam (Just misses a playoff)
    Olazabal (He needs one more year under the wing of Seve)
    Azinger
    Crenshaw
    Watson  (shoots 76 the last day after taking the lead in round 3)
    
    It's safe to say someone will lose the Open on 17. The winner will be
    the player that can avoid disaster and "the road".
    
    
    Ken 

    
     Ian Woosnam has just won in Monte Carlo and going into the final
    round of the Scottish Open at Gleneagles he is 3 shots clear. He is also
    putting like "God" having found a ladies "Zebra" putter.
     Having previously hedged my bets on Faldo and Olazabal I now must
    put my money on the welshman to win his first major. My only doubt
    is wether he has the "bottle" ??
     
    Derek.
                    

	Prediction's for St Andrews : -

	Curtis Strange

	Roger Davis

	Bernard Langer





			Steve.

    Re: .32
    
    
    Woosie won the Scottish Open ....but
    What is the "bottle" ?
    
    A Yank
    

    
    re. 34
    
    "bottle" is the Scottish term for holding your nerve when it *REALLY*
     counts. Woosnam has the ability to be one of the world greats but
     his problem has always been the 4/5 footers under pressure. As I said 
     in .32 at the moment he is putting better than ever so if he can 
     again put himself in a winning position on Sunday night we'll know 
     if he has the bottle or not.
                                       
                                 Derek. 

I don't have any further information at present.

Peter

    greg norman will win w/ a threat from faldo.
    
    paul.

    Open Latest!!
    
    re:.37
    You could be right!, Norman has just come in with a 66, clear leader
    of the Open. Faldo, Woosnam are 4 under with 1/2 to play.

    martin

    Last I saw was Michael Allen at -7 and Norman finished at -6.  Also saw
    Faldo's chip hit a hoof print and role in the hole.
    
    Big Mac

    Early Scores
    
    Michael Allen   -7
    Norman          -6
    Faldo           -5
    Jacobson        -5  thru 9
    Woosnam         -4
    I B Finch       -4
    Craig Parry     -4
    
    Other Notables
    
    Trevino     -3
    Seve        -1
    Jack        -1   thru 14
    Olazabal    -1   thru 14
    
    Morning rounds: No Wind, Mild
    PM rounds: Windy, colder
    
    Ken
    

    Does anyone know if today and Friday's round is being broadcasted
    over here in the evening ? Like USA or ESPN ?
    
    Enquiring minds HAVE TO KNOW !!
    
    Jim
    

    	Jim,
    
    	It's listed in the papers as being on ESPN at 9am for today
    and tomorrow.....
    
    Keith

    
    Here are the leaders after the first round...
    
    Michael Allen	66
    Greg Norman		66
    
    Nick Faldo		67
    
    Peter Jacobsen	68
    Payne Stewart	68
    San Torrence	68
    Craig Parry		68
    Ian Woosnam		68
    Martin Paxon	68
    C. O'Connor		68
    Ian Baker-Finch	68
    
    Lee Trevino		69
    
    
    
    
    
    Tim Simpson		70
    Gamez		70
    
    
    Tom Kite		71
    Lanny Wadkins	71
    Ballesteros		71
    Calcavecchia	71
    Couples		71
    Jack		71
    Olazabal		71
    
    Tom Watson		72
    Gary PLayer		72
    Ray Floyd		72
    
    Azinger		73
    Arny		73....*
    
    Langer		74
    
    Stadler		82

    Re.42
    
    Thanks. I missed it anyway. My wife works at a golf course and I spent
    the evening picking the range and driking beer..Oh well. Tonight.
    
    Re.43
    
    Gene, how come so many low scores ? I thought St.Andrews and all
    British courses were tough ? (sorry, couldn't resist)
    
    Jim
    

    More early scores
    
    Payne Stewart       -8  18
    Jamie Spence        -7  18  first timer
    Anders Sorenson     -7  18  Dane
    Jacobson            -6  18
    Sam Torrence        -6  18
    Jodie Mudd          -6  18
    Olazabal            -6  18
    Norman              -6  Hasn't started 2nd round
    Vincente Fernandez  -5  18
    
    Other Notables
    
    Nicklaus   -3   18
    Azinger    -3   18
    Palmer     -1   18
    Player     -1   18
    
    
    

    
    Congratulations to Nick Faldo on winning his 2nd Open in 4 years
    and proving without a doudt he is the best in the world. Also well
    done to Payne Stewart who once again proved he is the only American
    to consistently play well over here.
    
    Derek.
    

    
    
       Although Norman is the official number one in the world just
    now, everyone must now admit that Faldo is the best. He dropped
    just 3 shots during the open and although the weather was ideal,
    it's still very good golf. There were one or two others in the field
    who had as many birdies as Faldo over the 4 days but they obviously
    dropped a lot more strokes. We've heard time and again that Faldo
    is boring and machine-like. His attitude has always been to hit
    the greens in regulation and if the putts drop then he's going to
    be very hard to beat. Going by his record over the last 4 years,
    it's hard to disagree.
    
    	Payne Stewart was the only player to challenge Faldo in the
    last round. I think he got to within 2 strokes before dropping 3
    strokes in the last 5 holes. Another good open for Stewart. He's
    very well supported in Britain and would be a very popular winner
    with the fans. One day maybe?
    
               Danny
    

	I too congratulate Nick Faldo and all who picked him to win.  He has 
proven, that right now, he is the best in the world.  Norman, lost the 
tournament on Saturday when he shot 76.  Seems, it's not that he always has a 
slow start, but just that in almost every tournament, he has one bad day that 
costs him dearly.  It's usually on Thursday or Friday, but this week it was on 
Saturday.  I had picked Norman, Stewart and Woosnam to finish 1,2 and 3.  Came 
darn close, but that machine Faldo just couldn't be stopped!!!  He is an 
incredible iron player!!!  Only in one trap the entire tournament.  That has 
to be a record, along with no three-putts.

Beak

    Some notable names who did not make the cut:
    
    Curtis Strange
    Rodger Davis 
    Mark Calcavecchia
    Craig Stadler
    Seve Ballesteros
    Tom Kite
    Larry Mize
    
    Just in case those who picked them to win have gone into hiding ;-)
    
    Magnificent from Faldo and a good show by Stewart to try to challenge
    on the last day. If Faldo had have slipped up, he was there pushing
    him. Whatever happens in the USPGA, this will be a memorable year in
    the majors - 2 victories and 1 shot of the pace in the US Open, could
    be sometime before someone gets that close again. The third day was
    impressive when he took Norman to pieces in the 'head to head'.
    
    And congrats to Sandy Lyle, who had the crowd applauding instead of
    ducking for a change!
    
    Paul

    Faldo's performance was truly awesome!
    Aswell as being in only 1 bunker ( a greenside one on the 4th in
    the last round ) and not having any 3 putts ( that tells a lot about
    how close he was hitting it with the irons ) he also hit 70 of the
    72 greens in regulation ( WOW! ).
    
    He has definitely assumed the mantle of Ben Hogan with his tee to
    green game, and of course he is one of the best putters in the world.
    
    He's way ahead of the pack now.
    
    martin

	A couple of observations on the Open.

	Sorry chaps, I don't mean to open the cow pasture rathole again, but
	lets face it, St. Andrews IS a cow pasture.  Furthermore, without
	bad weather, a St. Andrews Open is reduced to  a pitch and putt contest
       (as Chi Chi noted in an interview after winning the Senior tournament
	played this weekend).  Had it not been for the 17th hole and the
	potato-chip greens, the event would have been extremely boring to 
	watch.

	The tradition of St. Andrews is, however, undeniable.  For that reason
	alone the Open should be played there, occasionally.

	Nick Faldo is the best golfer in the world, right now.

	B*tch as we do about some of the TV golf productions here in the 
        colonies, I'm glad we don't have to put up with the BBC camera work
        at US tournaments.

	Ron

    
    re.51
    
    When you have two of the greatest golfers ever, saying "to win at
    St Andrews is special" ie. Nicklaus and Faldo, how on earth can
    you justify calling it a cow-pasture. Are you telling us that you
    know better than these two greats ???
     
    Derek.

	What does the layout of the course have to do with winning at
	St. Andrews being special?  I can't speak for Nicklaus and Faldo
	but for me, just PLAYING at St. Andrews would be special.
	If I'm ever in Scotland, I would certainly try to play there.

	But it would be 'special' because of the tradition and the history
        of St. Andrews, NOT because of the course 'design'.

	Hope this helps.

	Ron
 

    
    
       Re pitch and putt.
    
       As a previous reply stated, many of the top golfers in the world
    didn't even make the cut, never mind shoot a good score and that
    was in good weather. The course had dried out quite a lot during
    the recent good weather and did look rather bare etc but many top
    golfers struggled. 
    
       If it wasn't for the greens at Augusta, surely it would be a
    pitch and putt course as well.
    
    
      ps Congrats to "sour-grapes" Hoch for proving again what a total
    ar*e he really is. Standing on 17th tee 2 under.
    
    
     Standing on 18th tee 3 over par and missing the cut. To make matters
    worse, he was partnered by the man he has bad-mouthed since 1989
    and once again proved to be in a different league as far as golf
    is concerned.
    
    
              DANNY 

     I only played St. Andrews once, but because of the history and
    tradition it was an unforgettable experience. Truthfully, I played a
    few other courses in Scotland I liked better, But there's only one St.
    Andrews. The double greens drove me nuts.
     We here have to remember that this is linksland golf, and St. Andrews
    is an archetypal "linkks," whether you like it or not. Everything
    evolved from this type of course, so I'm reluctant to criticize an
    original based upon what came later. I'd rather play Turnberry, Troon
    or Muirfield, but St. Andrews is a "must see." If you want to play some
    GREAT links courses, go to Ireland, IMHO...
    
    --Jack.

    It seems the question of "cow pasture" or "not cow pasture" will
    never be agreed upon so why not just let everyone think whta they
    want and leave it at that.  If you listened to the interviews this
    weekend almost every pro said when they first came to St. Andrews
    to play they were disappointed or let down by the course.  It just
    wasn't what they expected.  However they all agreed it was special
    because of the tradition, history etc. and that made it a top course
    in their mind.  I guess a course like this has to grow on you, 
    all who were interviewed said over time they came to like the course.
    
    My own opinion (which is mine and mine alone and not to be construed
    as bashing!) is that based on what I have seen I don't think I would
    like the course.  Hitting a perfect drive right down the middle
    and ending up with a side hill/up hill lie just isn't fair.  Bunkers
    that you cannot hit out of are another story.  While you should
    be made to hit a good shot, some of these monsters offer absolutely
    no hope of escape in the direction of the hole.  Unfair!!  But,
    given the chance to go to Europe and play, this would be on the
    top of my list.  I'd like to experience it, I may not like it but
    I'd like to make up my own mind.
    
    As far as European vs American vs Australian golfers etc.  Give
    it a rest and enjoy the game for what it is...a game.
    
    	Mike

    re;.54  You must jest, when it takes one under par to make the cut,
    you are not struggling against the course.  As Jack Nicklaus said,
    it was a putting contest.  It took little shot making to score
    because the weather didnot make it difficult.  You could hit down
    opposite adjacent fairways, etc.  I once apologized for calling
    it a cow pasture, and now I regret that statement.
    
    Big Mac
    
    

    Even if there were benign conditions, it was the same for every player.
  I think that it was a given that if the wind was blowing and the rain was
  falling, St. Andrews would have beaten the field instead of vice versa.

    Congratulations to Faldo for proving he is the best, and he is.  Wish he
  would speed up play though.  I can just see the results at public courses
  now.  All the Faldo_wanna_bes will be lining up, hitching, 3 practice swings,
  step back and look again, hitch, then hit the ball.  Ugh! 

-rick

>    My own opinion (which is mine and mine alone and not to be construed
>    as bashing!) is that based on what I have seen I don't think I would
>    like the course.  Hitting a perfect drive right down the middle
>    and ending up with a side hill/up hill lie just isn't fair.  Bunkers
>    that you cannot hit out of are another story.  While you should
>    be made to hit a good shot, some of these monsters offer absolutely
>    no hope of escape in the direction of the hole.  Unfair!!  But,
>    given the chance to go to Europe and play, this would be on the
>    top of my list.  I'd like to experience it, I may not like it but
>    I'd like to make up my own mind.
    
>    	Mike

	Mike, you are entitled to your opinion, but I have a question for you. 
If a bunker that allows you no chance to escape in the direction of the hole is 
"Unfair", then what is a water hazard directly in front of a green?  If you 
hit it in the water hazard, you have no escape in any direction.  
	In either case, if you know the hazard is there, you try and avoid it. 
Sometimes you will avoid it, and sometimes you will not.  But if you don't, 
then you are penalized for a poor shot.  That's golf.  Some courses just do 
not let you hit driver off every tee.  You must manage you way around the 
course.  That may mean hitting an iron off the tee on a 440 yard par 4 hole, 
or a par 5 hole, but you have to play the course.

Beak

    Well put Beak !!
       The first time I played Poppy HIlls on the Monterey peninsula,
    I thought it was the most unfair course I had ever played ! It was
    the best conditioned course I have ever seen but it is covered with
    bunkers that you can't see from the tee. Several times I hit long
    straight drives "down the middle" only to find them in a bunker that
    was hidden. It was infuriating !! The next time however, I was ready.
    I played the course and not just a game of how far down the fairway
    can you hit the ball. I enjoy haveing to use strategy and technique
    to challenge a course. Otherwise you might as well play a round at
    the driving range. It is nice and flat there, no hidden bunkers or
    rough or bad lies !! What fun !!!
    
    Mad Hacker

    
    I was impressed with Faldo's level of play this whole tournament, but
    his accomplishments are being overstated.  
    
    Re. .50,
    
      One of the following three facts is inconsistent, and I would be
    curious if someone could identify which one.
    
    
      1.)  Faldo hit 70 of 72 greens in regulation.
      2.)  Faldo didn't three-putt once.
      3.)  Faldo had four bogeys.
    
    Hmm, last time I checked, this would be pretty tough to do...
    
    Just a nit.../A
    

    Someone probably translated "Faldo only missed two greens in
    regulation" to "Faldo hit 70 of 72 greens" X = number of holes in the
    open minus the number of misses.  Remember that par threes don't count when
    it comes to hitting greens in regulation.  I'm making a assumption         
    with absolutely no fact to back it up, but if there are four par threes
    per 18 hole round at St. Andrews, then maybe he actually hit 54 of 56 
    greens.  This would could also explain where the bogey's came from.

    Steve


                  

  Faldo did 3 putt,although deliberately,on the 17th green yesterday.
 Hit his 2nd shot onto the green some 30ft from the pin.
 He then putted to the left of the hole to avoid a wicked slope,and left himself
15ft to putt .This was obviously just playing safe since he led by 6 shots at
 the time.......




Great win.
Noone came close


ace....

    My guess is that it is the GIR. I'm sure I heard Faldo did not three
    putt and I know he only had four bogies. The fourth hole on Sunday and
    the 17th hole three times.
    
    Regardless of how many three putts or GIR, he kicked some butt and
    reinforced his position as the best in the world. 
    
    My hat's off.  I guess he had the "bottle" to win.
    
    It would be a big help to me if some of the Brit noters could shed some
    light on why the British Press does not like Faldo. I read a story of
    how the press tried to create some friction between Scott Hoch and
    Faldo. Hoch denied the comments but it still created a big uproar.
    
    How about Fanny Sunesson. Can she become as famous as Tip Anderson,
    Angelo Argera (sp.), and Rabbit. Wouldn't it be a great new story for
    golf.
    
    
    Ken 

Re: Previous reply mentioning that St. Andrews really was a cow pasture.  
Actually I always thought that it was sheep that dug out the bunkers seeking
protection from the wind.  However watching the coverage some of those
bunkers are big enough for cows!

It's too bad that there was such good weather the course didn't play to it's
full potential.  It would be like playing Augusta with slow greens!  

I like that so many pieces of the course has names, the Princple's nose, etc.

Larry

    I liked the story about the bunker called "Hell" and how during the
    days of Old Tom Morris, one of the club members came in to the pub
    and bragged of hitting a wood from the bunker. That night, old Tom
    went out with his shovel and dug the bunker deeper " so that wouldn't
    happen again"!!
    
    Mad Hacker

    re: the Faldo stats.
    
    Yes, there is a problem with my stats, which i missed when writing
    them down....i heard the details second hand.
    
    Anyway, maybe the stats are using the 17th as a par 5. It plays
    as well as one.
    Another thing. What do you call it if you hit a par 5 in two instead
    of 3 as regards regulation hitting? That was the case all week long
    on the 5th hole. Whereas the 17th probably played harder than the 5th.
    
    I think par 3's are counted in GIR stats.

    martin o'g

    Well couldn't go any longer without praising the heroics of my
    idol...Nick Faldo!!
    
    I admit I got one at each end of the scale with my tips. I won up
    to choosing Rodger Davis....BUT did say you can't go wrong wiyth
    Nick. I guess I never even thought HE could do it again!!!
    
    But what a golfer he's become after having the guts to take apart
    what us mere mortals would think is already a great swing. There
    can be no question that he IS the best there is. 
    
    I was so impressed with his course management. True, the fairways
    are double-width with seven?? shared greens...but he still had to
    put it in the right spot to avoid the bunkers. Particularly on the
    last day he gave himself a wider angle of approach to the greens
    with the pins so tight against the edge of the greens. 
    
    And if there's one guy you'd put your house on to make a
    four-footer then it would be Faldo.
    
    Well done also to Payne Stewart. As has already been said I think
    he'd be a popular winner over here. He put up a great fight and
    I felt sorry for him when it slipped away on 17 and 18.
    
    Great tournament all in all... pity not everyone can accept that
    golf is different on opposite sides of the Atlantic
    

	First off, par 3's are still considered in calculating GIRs.  For a 
GIR on a par 3, you must hit it with your tee shot.  On a par 4, with either 
your tee shot or your second shot, and on a par 5 with either your tee shot, 
your second shot or your third shot.  There are 18 greens in a round, and 18 
GIRs to be had in a round.  You may be confusing par 3s with Fairways hit off 
the tee.  Here, since you should hit the green, is where par 3's do not count.

Beak

    Re .64
    
    Ken,
    
    You're right there has in the past been an element of the British
    media which have taken a dislike to Faldo. IMHO I think there are
    a number of reasons for this.
    
    There was an incident some years back when Faldo complained that
    Lyle was using an illegal putter? This was at the time when Lyle
    was the blue-eyed boy in British golf. It was seen as not being
    a good public relations move by Faldo and they haven't let him 
    forget it. 
    
    He also had the reputation of being very quick to have a go at anything
    which he felt caused him to play a bad shot. So if someone clicked
    a camera, then they got his full attention!! Sounds a bit like a
    certain Mr. Strange you have over there...8^)
    
    However I think the critics are now realising that he is a very
    intense player who seeks perfection 100% of the time and is never
    satisfied (the mark of a winner?). This tends to mean he is a picture
    of concentration on the course. 
    
    One interesting program on him a year or so ago questioned that
    he never seems to smile much. He said when he is smiling and waving
    to the crowd, the cameras are following the ball and by the time
    it gets back on him he's thinking about his next shot. He went on
    to say that the TV company and himself needed to sort it out or
    he'd have to walk round with a permanent grin on his face.
    
    I think he's worked on his public image over the last few years.
    This has meant he's now not given such bad press and infact he's
    got a pretty good sense of humour. Anyone who saw his Chuck Berry
    impersonation at Wentworth will testify to that!!
    
    Of course the other factor is that he's now got to be recognised
    as the best in the world right now.
    
    
    Reading this anyone would think I'm a fan of his....YEP.
    
    
    
    Phil.
    
    
    

                    <<< USER$1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GOLF.NOTE;1 >>>
                               -< The Good Game >-
================================================================================
Note 1037.0                    BRITISH OPEN INFO.                     No replies
SHIPS::PLEYDELL_R                                    46 lines  27-JUL-1990 08:26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Having been an ardent reader of the GOLF NOTES file since Jan'90
    and having played the "greatest game" for only seven months, (and
    as there do not appear to be many NOTES participants from the U.K.),
    I would like to enter the scene with an offering based upon the
    recent British Open.  I shall try not to make it too much of a saga,
    but there are some interesting points, (I hope!).
    2.   The Royal and Ancient at St. Andrews outlaid 3.5Million Pounds
    Sterling (which included 825,000 pounds prize money).  The income
    was as follows:-  
                      Worldwide T.V. contracts  Ls3 Million
                      Gate receipts             Ls2.5 Million
                      Tented Village and
                      Hospitality Units         Ls1 Million
    
    The gate receipts were collected from 207,000 visitors, beating
    the previous R & A record, which had been held for 6 years.  What
    is interesting is that POTENTIAL income from fairway advertising
    could add "who knows what millions", but is frowned upon by the
    traditionalists.  We shall have to see if any changes occur to
    this status in two years time when the British Open is to be 
    held at Muirfield, also in Scotland.
    3.   It was refreshing to see that Nick Faldo, after his really
    outstanding performance at R & A, has planned to head a Nationwide
    network of teaching centres for beginners (Juniors I assume).  His
    basic idea is "golf for all".  Negotiations are already underway
    with some London and Northern England borough councils.  Each centre
    will consist of a driving range, practice green and bunkers etc.,
    which, combined with the latest electronic equipment, will teach
    pupils to swing a club more than successfully.  Potential champions
    in the making, open to ALL youngsters, not just those with plenty
    of spare cash.  (Is there anything like this in the U.S. of A.?)
    4.   Our live T.V. coverage was pretty good, (and would have been
    better if only I had not been at work), but the evening highlights
    were not very comprehensive.  It would be interesting to learn what
    you in the U.S. thought of your coverage.  Notably, there was STILL
    someone in the crowd shouting "IN THE HOLE" whenever the stars were
    attempting to putt for a par (or even better).  I didn"t hear the
    "YOU'RE THE MAN" though;  maybe he didn't get to come over from
    the States.
    5.   That's it then.  Saga ends here.  I look forward to taking
    part in this File again (Unless the Boss tells me to cut down my
    input length).  I also look forward to any comments you may like
    to make, and I shall answer other NOTES writers now that I am in
    the groove.  (P.S. I didn't have time to proof-read this, so just
    swish over any glaring typing errors).    Have a nice day!!
                                                               ROY.