British Open 2010, Courtesy of Albert Round 1 was the tightest ever with a 3 way tie for First/Second/Third and all teams within hailing distance. I have to figure out some new Paste options in Excel 2007… till then, here is Rd 1. Gabes 350 Sobo 352 Hans 349 Albert 344 Andy 344 Jack 360 Fox 344 Mags 352 Round 2 Is it possible that I would only know one of the top 4 golfers after 2 rounds, and that guy (Calc) would not even be amongst our list of active golfers? With Oosthuizen getting the benefit of favorable weather on Sat, and McIlroy dropping 17 strokes off his opening round score, Oosthuizen is cruising w/ a 5 stroke lead. If we thought the US Open lacked drama, this BO could be a real snorefest. But fortunately we have our pool to keep things interesting regardless. Sobo ran and hid from most everyone in Rd 2 with Andy the only one to stay within hailing distance, and they take honors for Day 2. Sobo’s performance moves him to #2 overall, and Andy takes the lead heading into the weekend. Al and Fox lurk nearby in third and fourth. Andy, Jack, Al and Sobo have 5 golfers alive on the weekend. (interesting that Jack has 5 making the cut, while in the cellar. Many BARELY made the cut… no one high on the Leaderboard… but all 5 play all weekened, and Jack can still make some noise). Hans, Mags and Fox have 4 going… Gabes 3. 3 best scores count on the weekend, so Gabes can still catch lightning in a bottle. Having fun w/ family in Myrtle/Sunset… enjoy your weekend. Round 3 OK… let me start by making some corrections. Justin Rose was cut… Hans only had three going, and Matt Kuchar had a 72 Rd 1, not 73. But Bubba Watson was cut, so Jack only has 4 on the weekend. OK, on to Rd 3. I giggled when I said Gabes still had a shot even though he had only 3 golfers going against teams w/ 5. Wouldn’t you know that his three golfers came in low score in Rd 3? And Mags, w/ 4 going, finished second for the day. Despite Gabes winning Rd 3, I love the new format. I know he does. Jagoff. On to overall… Sobo had another solid stay, and takes the overall lead from Andy, who sits 4 back. I picked up 5 on Andy and sit in third, just one ahead of Gabes and four in front of Mags. Hans, Fox and Jack are likely playing for Rd 4 daily honors… but at least the new format keeps them involved if not interested. As far as the overall event… glad I was at the beach with the family. (A lovely day at Sunset Beach… passed on golf today after playing yesterday w/ son and son-in-law, we tee it up again early am tomorrow. But I digress…). Phil couldn’t build on early success… Woods flailed to a 73. Oosthuisen, meanwhile, did not fold like a cheap suit, instead shooting a solid 69. There is but one golfer within 6 strokes, Mags’ Paul Casey, and he’s 4 back. So I will find myself rooting for the likes of Ossterhuisen on Sunday so that we have a triple major skin at the PGA. Rooting… but not watching. Unless something really amazing happens tomorrow, could be one of the least eventful US and British Opens in some time. Round 4 I may have to re-think my liking the new format. Gabes once again rode the hot three golfers he had left for a Day 4 win, beating me by three on the day, and nosing me out by two for the final money slot. Almost caught Andy, who hung on by a single stroke for second. But Sobo hangs on to the top slot with a solid Day 4 performance, good for second for the day by a stroke over Andy and 2 over me. (Fact is, I DO like the new format despite getting it up the ass. Proves the point of keeping hope alive for someone on the weekend w/ less than 4 golfers going. This won’t happen often… but proves that it can, which is the idea). I watched about 20 minutes of the tourney today…. Tuned in while Oosterhuizen was still up 4 over Casey going into 12. He birdies while Casey triple bogeys. Lead was 8. So Curtis Strane tries to sell on on staying tuned as Oosterhuizen tees of on 13, telling us: “This is where he really needs to focus and keep in together”. Yeah… real tricky holding an 8 stoke lead w/ 6 to play. Goodnight, nurse. Is the Woods era over? No wins this year at Augusta, Pebble, and St. Andrews… places he has DOMINATED. Got off to a great start at the BO…. But proved to be no factor afterward Sobo: $$$ below, add to YTD $$$. 1 Sobo 352 356 210 209 1127 2 Andy 344 361 217 210 1132 3 Gabes 350 370 205 208 1133 4 Albert 344 368 212 211 1135 5 Fox 344 369 224 215 1152 6 Mags 352 369 207 225 1153 7 Jack 359 368 216 214 1157 8 Hans 349 370 217 228 1164 #1 Daily Andy/Al/Fox #2 Daily Sobo Andy # 3 Daily Gabes Mags # 4 Daily Gabes Sobo Winners Andy Al Fox Sobo Gabes Mags Day 1 9.33 9.33 9.34 Day 2 8.40 19.60 Day 3 19.60 8.40 Day 4 8.40 19.60 Final 42.00 100.80 25.20 Total 59.73 9.33 9.34 128.80 64.40 8.40