Rain And Chill Invade British Open First Round

I’m really too busy today with my real job to make any significant contribution to this blog. That’s a shame, too, because the British Open began this morning at Carnoustie, Scotland, and if you follow golf, you how nasty the weather can be at the course, particularly the wind. That said, I will, however, blog deliver to you (via this link) an article from AP writer Doug Ferguson about just how difficult Carnoustie can be when the wind and rain settle in. I can tell you this weather-related item from today’s British Open first round: Tiger Woods sank a 90-foot putt for birdie during this morning’s damp, chilly conditions and finished his round with a 2-under, 69. Play began with a steady drizzle and wind with temperatures in the low 50s. Sounds like a great day!

In the photo above: Australia's Stuart Appleby blows rain off his putter on the 1st green during first round play at the 2007 British Open Golf Championship tournament in Carnoustie, Scotland, July 19, 2007. REUTERS/David Moir (BRITAIN)

At The Bronx: I’m barely listening to the Yankees / Blue Jays game, but I think I heard the Bombers broadcast crew of John Sterling and Suzyn “Goodness Gracious” Waldman mention the possibility of rain there at Yankees Stadium. However, the teams are still playing, so I’m not sure what’s going on. At the time I’m writing this, the Yanks lead 2-0. Watch your back BoSox!

B.O. Weather Doesn't Stink -- Yet

It rained today at practice for the upcoming British Open. Of course it did. What would you expect? Today’s practices were the final preps for the major, the 136th in the history of the event, which begins Thursday at Carnoustie, Scotland. Tigers Woods, we here he’s pretty good, is looking to win his third consecutive B.O. title. (That’s an odd way to say it.) Anyway, Tiger, whom my son is not named for, would be only the second golfer in 125 years to accomplish the trifecta.

Forecasters are predicting nice weather for the first two days of the event, but rain could enter into the equation by tourney’s end. Speaking of British Open weather, below is an article from Reuters explaining how the weather over the past few months has set up the course for ideal playing conditions. Enjoy!

By Jon Bramley
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 18 (Reuters) - Organisers say the bad weather rather than any grand planning on their part has left Carnoustie in "great shape" for the 136th British Open which tees off on Thursday.

Open championship committee chairman Martin Kippax said that every player he had encountered had praised the Scottish links course's condition, in sharp contrast to the brickbats it received when the event was last held there in 1999.
But he denied there had been any concerted plan by the Royal and Ancient (R&A) club to help the 156-strong field after so many struggled with high rough and strong winds eight years ago.

"We don't have any grand plan in relation to what width the fairways would be," he told a news conference.

"Very rarely will an Open championship venue vary to its own members, players and so forth. We don't try to cultivate anything.
"The rough isn't as severe as it has been in the past but that's because of the weather we have had. If you have a warm and wet May and June then you'll have heavy links rough.

"If you don't then you don't get the rough. And the rough is nothing like as heavy as it might possibly be.

"We already have seen it's going to be pretty soft so I expect a pretty low-scoring championship."

Forecasters are expecting a wet finish to the tournament over the weekend with clearer weather for the first two days.

Briton Paul Lawrie won the 1999 edition with a six-over-par 290 total.

(AP Photo above by Jon Super)