Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Internal OB on No. 18 sours Rickie Fowler's tidy opening round at The Open

Written by 
Published in Golf
Thursday, 20 July 2023 05:05

HOYLAKE, England – Rickie Fowler’s tidy opening round at Royal Liverpool became exceedingly messy by the end of the day Thursday, as he twice flared his approach shot past the out-of-bounds stakes down the right side of the par-5 finishing hole.

Entering this Open Championship, the internal OB on 18 figured to play an even more decisive and dramatic role than it did here in 2014, with the tee moved back nearly 60 yards and positioned farther to the right, creating a more challenging angle from which to start. The OB line was also drawn about 20 yards closer to the fairway and just a few paces off the right edge, endangering any shot that isn’t struck crisply or gets caught in a crosswind.

By the time Fowler came to the 600-yard 18th hole on Thursday afternoon, six players had already had to take the stroke-and-distance penalties. None paid a stiffer price than Fowler, however, who, with the ball a bit below his feet and the wind coming out of the left, launched two consecutive 249-yard shots off the property, leading to a triple-bogey 8 – the highest score of the day so far – and dooming what was an otherwise clean card with three birdies and just a single bogey. He signed for a 1-over 72, leaving him six shots off the early lead.

“Obviously a little pissed off,” Fowler said, “but nothing you can do about it now. Bit of a bummer, but a lot of good stuff out there. Scrambled well and didn’t really have my best stuff today. Did a good job of getting it around and not letting it get away from me, so just have to put the last hole behind us and go get it tomorrow.”

The land that sits between the third and 18th fairways is typically used as the members’ practice range here, but for the championship has been outlined by OB stakes to protect some of the event infrastructure, including hospitality and merchandise.

Nine years ago, the par-5 finishing hole played under par but also created plenty of disaster. Over four rounds, there were 26 scores of double or worse – six more than any other par 5 throughout the PGA Tour season. For players fearful of the OB right, a left bailout isn’t a very enticing option either because of deep, penal fairway bunkers.

Fowler, who finished second at the 2014 Open, two shots behind Rory McIlroy, played the hole in 2 under par for the week that year.

“I think it’s fine. It’s part of links golf,” he said. “You get some quirky stuff here and there, and it’s part of it. There’s plenty of little boundary walls in different places that come into play, and that’s part of links golf.

“Do I like it? Right now, probably not. But I think it’s part of links golf with some of the cool, different characteristics and kind of what make it so special.”

Read 285 times

Soccer

Almirón rejoins Atlanta United from Newcastle

Almirón rejoins Atlanta United from Newcastle

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMiguel Almirón has rejoined former side Atlanta United from Newcast...

Norway FA defends VAR after clubs vote to scrap

Norway FA defends VAR after clubs vote to scrap

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) launched a...

Axed PL ref Coote: Drug use didn't affect decisons

Axed PL ref Coote: Drug use didn't affect decisons

EmailPrintFormer Premier League referee David Coote has insisted that his drug use had no influence...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

SGA stays hot with 52, 'not satisfied' as OKC falls

SGA stays hot with 52, 'not satisfied' as OKC falls

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's second career 50-point g...

Bontemps' NBA All-Star ballot: Locks, star battles and where LeBron and KD check in

Bontemps' NBA All-Star ballot: Locks, star battles and where LeBron and KD check in

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe NBA is set to announce the 14 All-Star reserves tonight. And wh...

Baseball

Sources: Royals boost bullpen with Estévez deal

Sources: Royals boost bullpen with Estévez deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCloser Carlos Estévez and Kansas City are in agreement on a two-yea...

Reds acquire reliever Rogers in trade with Giants

Reds acquire reliever Rogers in trade with Giants

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday acquired left-handed reliever Tayl...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: info@idig.com

Affiliated