SBNation.com - British Open 2012: Tiger Posts 3-Under; Adam Scott Leads At 6-Underhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2012-07-20T11:26:14-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/29334402012-07-20T11:26:14-04:002012-07-20T11:26:14-04:00Luke Donald Gives Caddie The Day Off At British Open
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<p>Luke Donald scored two shots better on Friday (2-under 68) with a fill-in caddie than he did with his regular looper on the bag in Thursday’s opening round.</p>
<p>The world No. 1 said on Twitter that he was letting John McLaren take a break from his duties to “<a href="https://twitter.com/LukeDonald">welcome his 1st child into the world</a>.” Taking McLaren’s spot on Donald’s bag was Gareth Lord, the regular luggage handler for Robert Karlsson, who cited “<a href="https://twitter.com/robertkarlsson">bad habits</a>” in his game as the reason for withdrawing from this week’s major.</p>
<p>Lord and Donald teamed up at last year’s Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Disney World, where Donald ran up six consecutive birdies on the back nine on his way to a 64 and the win, which led to his becoming the only golfer to clinch the money titles on the PGA and European Tours in the same season.</p>
<p>Friday, Donald made five birdies, including three in a row on his front nine, and told Sky Sports he told McLaren to “not to rush” his return.</p>
<p>"For me that was an important thing in my life to be around for [the birth of a child], especially your first one, and enjoy that experience,” Donald said. "But I know what he's like. He's very passionate about his job, as well, and he'll get back here when he's ready.”</p>
<p>Turns out that Donald, McLaren, and Lord were rooming together this week so when Karlsson withdrew his bagman was available.</p>
<p>“It worked out well and obviously I’ve got some history with Lordy, having caddied for me at Disney,” Donald said, “so it was an easy transition.”</p>
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<p>With Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and the rest of the afternoon wave early into their rounds, Donald was in a share of ninth place -- eight shots back of clubhouse leader Brandt Snedeker.</p>
<p>In the meantime, McLaren’s wife Helen gave birth on Thursday.</p>
<p>“Congratulations John & Helen on your new arrival Georgina Elizabeth,” Donald tweeted.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/20/3172108/luke-donald-gives-caddie-the-day-off-at-british-openEmily Kay2012-07-19T23:00:21-04:002012-07-19T23:00:21-04:00British Open 2012 Leaderboard: Cut Line Could Be 1-Over
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<p>Adam Scott's record-tying first round at the 2012 British Open was good enough to get him the lead after the first day at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. But he's not nearly clear of a pack that tore up the course on Thursday.</p>
<p>Scott's 6-under 64 in the first round has him just one shot ahead of Zach Johnson, Paul Lawrie and Nicolas Colsaerts, all of whom fired 5-under 65s. Brandt Snedeker is alone in fifth at 4-under, and then come eight players who got around in 3-under on Thursday, including former Open Championship winners Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson and U.S. Open champions Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell.</p>
<p>That bodes ill for Scott: He has seven top-10s at majors but no wins, and has been cited as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3170600/british-open-2012-leaderboard/in/2933440" target="new">one of the better players on the PGA Tour to never claim a major championship</a>.</p>
<p>Players who can't get into whispering distance of red numbers when Friday's second round may not see the weekend. The cut at the British Open includes the top 70 players and ties, and the projected cut line for the 2012 British Open is currently 1-over, where 41 players sit, tied for 54th.</p>
<p>For a complete live leaderboard, <a href="http://www.golf.com/leaderboard/open-championship/yr/2012?xid=sbnation" target="_blank">visit Golf.com</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the tournament, stick with our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/14/3159346/british-open-2012-live-updates-leaderboard-schedule-royal-lytham-st-annes">2012 British Open StoryStream</a>. For more from around the world of golf, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/">SB Nation's golf hub page</a>.</i></p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3171086/british-open-leaderboard-2012-projected-cut-lineAndy Hutchins2012-07-19T17:52:35-04:002012-07-19T17:52:35-04:002012 British Open Leaderboard: Adam Scott Holds 1-Shot Lead Amid Star-Studded Top 10
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<p>The interminable first day at the 2012 British Open is in the books and Aussie Adam Scott maintains his one-shot lead at 6-under par. Some of the treacherous weather forecasted for Royal Lytham held off on Thursday and the field took advantage of the favorable conditions by posting plenty of red numbers.</p>
<p>After wandering for a lengthy stretch of his twenties, Scott's game has re-emerged over the past two seasons. While a lot of the headlines have been made by his caddie, Scott has consistently been in contention, including at the major championships. He's been knocking on the door of his first career major win, but has yet to break through. He carded eight birdies on Thursday in an early round that finished with a bogey on the "sea of sand" 18th hole.</p>
<p>A trio of players stand one shot back of Scott at 5-under. The one American in that group is Zach Johnson, who fired a 5-under 65 fresh off his win at the John Deere last week. Johnson is another player who spent the first half of the season on fire, clinching two wins and several top-five finishes. Nicolas Colsaerts and Paul Lawrie join him at 5-under. This is just the second major appearance for Colsaerts, but he's also been hot this season, picking up a win in the Volvo World Match Play Championship in May. Lawrie has had a relatively quiet career since he captured the '99 Open Championship as the benefactor of the Jean van de Velde catastrophe. The Scot did have a good showing at this year's Masters, however.</p>
<p>Royal Lytham historically produces a champion who is one of the game's greats, or at least one of the top-ranked players in the world at the time. That could be the case again this year, as the leaderboard is littered with superstars in the top 10 at 3-under. Tiger Woods headlines that group, joined by fellow major champions Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson.</p>
<p>For a complete live leaderboard, <a href="http://www.golf.com/leaderboard/open-championship/yr/2012?xid=sbnation" target="_blank">visit Golf.com</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the tournament, stick with our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/14/3159346/british-open-2012-live-updates-leaderboard-schedule-royal-lytham-st-annes">2012 British Open StoryStream</a>. For more from around the world of golf, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/">SB Nation's golf hub page</a>.</i></p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3170600/british-open-2012-leaderboardBrendan Porath2012-07-19T15:09:58-04:002012-07-19T15:09:58-04:00British Open Leaderboard: Phil Mickelson Finishes At 3-Over
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<p>Most of the notables have finished their opening round in the 2012 British Open on Thursday. While Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy finished strong at 3-under, just a few strokes off the pace set by current leader Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson had a shaky start and is continuing less-than-stellar play that he has exhibited in the last few months.</p>
<p>Mickelson finished his opening round on Thursday by shooting a 3-over. He settled down and made par over his last six holes, but he bogeyed four times on his front nine. He suffered through a backbreaking stretch of three straight bogeys, beginning with a double-bogey on the par-5 seventh hole.</p>
<p>Mickelson will try to regroup and regain some ground on Friday.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.golf.com/leaderboard/open-championship/yr/2012">You can find a full live leaderboard by clicking right here</a>.</p>
<p><i>For complete coverage of Round 1 of the 2012 British Open, please stay tuned to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3169399/british-open-2012-round-1-leaderboard-scores">this StoryStream</a></i><i>. For more from around the world of golf, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/">SB Nation's golf hub page</a>.</i></p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3170215/british-open-leaderboard-2012-phil-mickelsonBill Hanstock2012-07-19T14:10:45-04:002012-07-19T14:10:45-04:00VIDEO: Rory McIlroy Hits Fan In The Head With Drive
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<p>Rory McIlroy was cruising along at 3-under late into his first round of the 2012 British Open at Royal Lytham when a spectator’s head got in the way of his tee shot on the par-4 15th.</p>
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<p>The fan’s header earned him a turban-like bandage and an autographed golf glove from McIlroy but cost the 2011 U.S. Open champ a penalty shot and the walk of shame back to the tee to reload when his ball ricocheted out of bounds.</p>
<p>McIlroy ended up with a double bogey, which dropped him back to 1-under, but he did not hang his head for long. Using the big gun, he drove the 336-yard par-4 16th green but had to settle for birdie when his 20-footer for eagle came up just short.</p>
<p><i>See the full <a target="_blank" href="http://www.golf.com/leaderboard/open-championship/yr/2012">first round leaderboard</a>. </i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3170084/rory-mcilroy-hits-fan-video-british-open-2012Emily Kay2012-07-19T13:59:03-04:002012-07-19T13:59:03-04:00British Open Leaderboard 2012: Adam Scott Leads, Paul Lawrie, Zach Johnson, Nicholas Colsaerts Close Behind
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<p>The first round of the 2012 British Open is nearly at an end on Thursday in Lancashire, England. The current leader is Adam Scott, who closed out his opening round with a stellar 6-under; a score that would be even better were it not for a pair of bogeys on holes three and 18.</p>
<p>Close behind Scott are a trio of golfers tied at 5-under in Paul Lawrie, Zach Johnson and Nicholas Colsaerts. Lawrie and Johnson have wrapped up their rounds for the day, but Colsaerts is only through 17 holes and has an opportunity to tie Scott for the lead.</p>
<p>Tiger Woods finished his round at 3-under and is tied with seven other golfers for fifth place, including Ernie Els and Bubba Watson.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.golf.com/leaderboard/open-championship/yr/2012" target="_blank">You can find a full live leaderboard by clicking right here</a>.</p>
<p><i>For complete coverage of Round 1 of the 2012 British Open, please stay tuned to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3169399/british-open-2012-round-1-leaderboard-scores" target="_blank">this StoryStream</a></i><i>. For more from around the world of golf, head over to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/" target="_blank">SB Nation's golf hub page</a>.</i></p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3170068/2012-british-open-leaderboardBill Hanstock2012-07-19T12:55:14-04:002012-07-19T12:55:14-04:00British Open 2012: Royal Lytham Brings Phil Mickelson To His Knees
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<p>When you’re crawling around on your knees trying to find your golf ball in the deepest of deep rough, you can pretty much kiss your round goodbye. Phil Mickelson, who deployed a search-and-rescue mission to find his ball on the eighth hole, can certainly relate.</p>
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<p>It hasn’t been a comfortable start to Mickelson’s 2012 British Open Championship, what with three balls in the junk, an unplayable, a double-bogey and three bogeys for an outgoing 3-over-par 37. He found the nasty fescue for the first time on the third hole, and on the seventh, he and caddie Jim Mackay had an animated discussion about whether to take a drop and a penalty shot.</p>
<p>"I could be in here forever if I don’t take an unplayable," Mickelson said to his long-time bagman. "It’s possible it won’t come out ... I don’t want to hurt myself."</p>
<p>After Mackay ended up talking his man out of the drop, Mickelson skidded his next shot into the rough across the fairway. His result on what had been playing as the easiest hole on the course: double-bogey 7.</p>
<p>A fuming Mickelson then hit his tee shot from the eighth with an iron to the front of a pot bunker. His second shot carried the steep face of the sand but plugged in even juicier stuff atop the bunker. After much digging around, aided by an army of volunteers that included playing partner Luke Donald, Lefty finally found his ball embedded. He got no relief, however, since it was nowhere near the closely mown areas from which golfers may take drops without penalty.</p>
<p>A "good" bogey later, and it was on to the par-3 ninth, where Mickelson flew the green from the tee and ended up with yet another bogey. Mickelson finally made something happen on the 10th, when a birdie putt from just off the front of the green found the bottom of the cup.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3169843/british-open-2012-phil-mickelsonEmily Kay2012-07-19T11:33:46-04:002012-07-19T11:33:46-04:00British Open 2012 Leaderboard: Graeme McDowell, Bubba Watson Finish 3-Under
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<p>With the winds calm and the skies relatively clear, a number of golfers are posting under-par scores in the first round of the 2012 British Open, including a pair of former major tournament winners.</p>
<p>Graeme McDowell and Bubba Watson are both in the clubhouse at 3-under through 18-holes, currently tied for fourth with four other golfers.</p>
<p>"There's been so much chat about how bad the weather's going to be, how unplayable the course is, and it was kind of weird to be out there this morning in shirt sleeves and looking at four-, five- and six-under par," <a href="http://www.espn.co.uk/golf/sport/story/161050.html" target="_blank">McDowell said</a>.</p>
<p>Watson, known for being a free-swinging risk taker, had only one bogey on the day and told the media after his round he was happy with how he was able to play conservatively and stick to his gameplan coming into the Open.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, defending champion Darren Clarke was brutal on his Thursday round, posting 76 that included seven bogies and just one birdie. It's unlikely he will be playing into the weekend with so much ground to make up.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.golf.com/leaderboard/open-championship/yr/2012">See the up-to-date leaderboard here</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/19/3169700/british-open-2012-leaderboard-graeme-mcdowell-bubba-watsonNick Fasulo