Hole High - Golf Blog

No European has ever won the Open at Birkdale. With the absence of Woods the field has been left wide open. So could one of the European Tour boys do it again. Even better, could a home grown player pick up the Claret Jug on Sunday.

As ever, there is class field at Birkdale this weekend, but local support will be keeping a keen eye on Lee Westwood. Another Brit, Justin Rose returns to the Open that put him the limelight 10 years ago as an amateur, but his recent form has been a little disappointing.
Harrington, returning to defend the title has limited his practise schedule because of a wrist injury he picked up last week. Should not be a problem for him as he had a similar worry last year at Carnoustie.

Spanish eyes will all be on an Iberian contingent including in form Garcia and the “Mechanic” Jimenez.

But I have a suspicion that an Aussie may prevail come sunday. I’m off to look at the latest betting odds and will post back later with my pick for the Open.

Bush Hill Park Golf Club - Festival Week 08.07.2008 - 13.07.2008

I have been away from the desk for a few days, attending various events at my club’s festival week. It has been a fantastic week so far which included an Open event on Tuesday, a charity event on Thursday and yesterday the club held an PGA Eastern Region PRO-AM.

One of the highlights had to be the David Edwards Golf Trick Show on the Thursday following the Charity Event.
It all kind of started about an hour before the comp finished (shotgun start), when this guy appeared in a buggy with a camcorder and started to film our fourball. Who’s that I thought. Still I did my best to put on a show as did our team with some well executed drives.

Well an hour or so later the full truth was revealed. On walking into the members bar we were greeted with the video that the “man with the cam” had running on the bars large plasma screen. The whole bar was in an uproar as David had done a voice over whist he was filming. The result was absolutely hilarious.

Following lunch we all assembled outside to be entertained by David Edwards and his world famous Golf Trick Show. The show was amazing. What this guy can do with a golf ball and an array of sticks is beyond belief.

Dave, thanks for great day. All who saw your show were truly entertained and we hope to see you next year.

Visit Dave Edwards Golf Trick Show

Tags: Golf, trick

Philip Walton, the hero of the Ryder Cup back in 1985 qualifies for the Open Championship by carding 142 for first place in final local qualifying at West Lancashire on Tuesday.

Walton, no longer a European Tour player has gone down in Irish golf folklore as the guy who secured the European win at Oak Hill by beating Jay Hass on the final green. He said after qualifying “They still talk to me about the Ryder Cup in Ireland, but it’s a long time ago and I’m looking forward to next week.”

Other players who qualified at final local include the frenchman Jean Van de Velde, famous for his collapse at Carnoustie 1999.

Not so lucky at International Qualifying at Sunningdale last week was Jose Maria Olazabal. Olly, still suffering from a long of spell of fatigue, lost his place in a play-off. Lets hope he recovers and finds some form ready for next season.

A selection of top players who failed to qualify at both local and international level get a second chance in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond this week. The likes of Rory McIlroy, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke need to secure a top five finish to tee up at Birkdale next week.

Tags: philip walton

Golf returns this week to Loch Lomond for the Barclays Scottish Open. Regarded as a pre warm-up to the Open next week, the field usually boasts a top turnout. This week is no exception with Mickelson. Els and Cabrera competing against a top field of players from around the globe. Other major winners here in Scotland this week include Paul Lawrie and Michael Cambell.
Looks like Harrington is having a breather in a hope to find some form, which has slipped as of late, for his defence of the Open Championship.

In form players to watch out for are last weeks winner Ross Fisher and one of his closest rivals McDowell. Lest we forget another English contender for the Scottish crown. Former winner here Lee Westward has got to have a chance.

Selected Odds

Mickelson 9/1
Els 11/1
Westwood 14/1
Scott 15/1
Hansen 25/1
Stenson 25/1
Poulter 33/1
Cabrera 35/1
Monty 35/1
Jimenez 35/1
Fisher 40/1
McDowell 40/1
Clarke 55/1

Hole High Tips

Each Way - Darren Clarke at 55/1.
Clarkey may be under pressure to qualify for a spot in the Open,
but he likes it here at Loch Lochond.
Tied 5th in 2006 and Tied 2nd in 2005.

Tags: bets, Golf

Wentworth based golfer Ross Fisher claims his second European Tour win at the London Club.

Fisher didn’t quite make the London Club because at the beginning of the week he was at Sunningdale, competing for a place in the Open Championship. After a gruelling 36 holes in the International Final Qualifying, Ross carded a 134 total to finish tied third. I bet he’s glad he turned up now.

In the first round Fisher shot a course record 63 in near perfect conditions on the Nicklaus designed London Club Heritage Course. A severe weather change at the weekend didn’t dampen his spirits as Fisher went on to card a 20 under score, beating his nearest rival Garcia by 7 shots.

Prize money of 300,000 euros puts Fisher on 11th in the Ryder Cup standings. A good finish at Loch Lomond or the Open a week later, will no doubt guarantee a place in Faldo’s team.

Standing 6′3″, Fisher joins the latest band of young guns capable of smacking the ball a country mile.
Combined with a sublime putting stroke he displayed a master class in golf on the final day on a tough track in tricky conditions.

Thank you for visiting Hole High Golf Blog.

This my first attempt at a blog, so bear with me if it all starts to go a bit pear shaped. Bit like my golf at the moment.
Don’t worry I am not here to bore you to death reading about my golfing antics. Although I may post a snippet if I manage to win any comps at my club.

Hole High