"One Open place has been reserved for the leading player, not already exempt, finishing in the top five at each of the Barclays Scottish Open and the John Deere Classic."

What do you think of those contingency exemptions by the R&A and should the USGA follow suit? I'm still saying no, the more qualifying spots the better...


"For one or two days of the Women’s Open, the second hole will be set up to play as a drivable 250-yard par 4."

Bradley Klein notes what should make for even more interesting viewing at this week's Women's U.S. Open.

That will make the hole doubly interesting, because the lay-up – dealing with that mid-fairway bunker short of the green – would be no simple matter. As for trying to drive the green, players would face a formidable challenge thanks to six greenside bunkers. Depending on the hole location, being short-sided would leave a near-impossible recovery and place par very much in doubt.

"TEAMS AND CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED FOR THE OPEN CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE"

Even though Seve can't make it and Jack has said his St. Andrews goodbye, they've assembled a stellar field for Wednesday, July 14th's pre Open Champions Challenge.

Each team will have a captain for the Challenge.  The captains of the seven teams are the most senior competitors.  Peter Thomson, whose team of Tiger Woods, Sir Nick Faldo and Mark Calcavecchia boasts a total of 12 Open Championships between them, will be a non-playing captain as he is unable to play for medical reasons.
 
The winning team will be presented with a cheque for £50,000 to be donated to charities of their choice.
 
“We anticipate a very special occasion”, said David Hill, The R&A’s Director of Championships.  “I am sure all supporters of The Open Championship will be excited by the prospect of seeing so many legends of the game make their way around the Old Course’s natural arena”
 
The Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, one of the world’s most celebrated pipe-bands, will get the event underway at 3.10pm on Wednesday 14 July before play begins at 3.40pm.
 
Tickets are still available for Wednesday with a ticket providing full access to the course to see players practise as well as for The Open Champions Challenge.  Large crowds are anticipated and spectators may wish to book now to avoid queues at the pay gates.
 
Ticket Prices
Adults £40
65+ yrs £30
16-21 yrs £20
Under 16 yrs — Free of charge
 
Format
The Open Champions Challenge will be played over holes 1, 2, 17 & 18 of The Old Course.  The best score recorded at each hole by an individual player will count as the team score.
 
TEAM AS FOLLOWS (Captains in Bold)
 
3:40     Roberto de Vicenzo
            Ben Curtis
            Tom Lehman
            Sandy Lyle
 
3:52     Peter Thomson
            Mark Calcavecchia
            Sir Nick Faldo
            Tiger Woods
 
4:04     Arnold Palmer
            Ian Baker-Finch
            Stewart Cink
            Mark O’Meara
 
4:16     Gary Player
            Todd Hamilton
            Justin Leonard
            Greg Norman
 
4:28     Bob Charles
            John Daly
            David Duval
            Bill Rogers
 
4:40     Lee Trevino
            Padraig Harrington
            Tony Jacklin
            Paul Lawrie
 
4:52     Tom Weiskopf
            Ernie Els
            Tom Watson

"It has a little bit to do with the ball."

In Doug Ferguson's account of Tiger's switch to a slightly harder cover in preparation for the Open Championship, it is suggested that his improved driving distance is a combination of ball and improved mechanics.

"The more I keep playing, the better I get," Woods said Saturday after recovering from an atrocious start to shoot even-par 70, making up little ground in the AT&T National. "It has a little bit to do with the ball."

Woods still uses a One Tour, this ball marked with a star symbol between the two words. He started using it this week at Aronimink, most likely as part of his preparations for the British Open in two weeks at St. Andrews, where the wind is often a major factor.

The world's No. 1 player often has talked about how he uses one of the softest golf balls on tour, which gives him greater control around the greens. This version would be helpful in windy conditions because it spins less.

This is the real eye-opener:

Once among the longest hitters in golf, Woods was 21st in driving distance last year. Going into the AT&T National, he was ranked 78th based on two measured drives per round. Through two rounds on a fast, firm Aronimink course, Woods was leading the tournament in driving distance at just over 328 yards.

His additional length was most evident during the second round, when he was playing with Dustin Johnson. On consecutive holes, Woods hit one drive 26 yards past Johnson, and another 10 yards past him. Both led to birdies.

So, we've heard all of these years that the ball is not the real reason for distance gains over the last decade. And we've been told that rolling back the Overall Distance Standard via new ball rules would be complicated and in general, not feasible. Yet here we have Tiger switching balls (and perhaps improving his swing), but we are seeing a serious difference in his driving distance with a simple switch.

Why can't we contemplate a future with a ball that has the characteristics of the pellet Tiger's been using?  A little spinnier, but sharing many of the components that make the modern ball last longer?

Rose Leads By Four: World Braces For Next Jim Nantz Reading Of A Floral-Themed Apropos Lyric

Should Justin Rose go on to win his second PGA Tour event in three starts and set himself up as a favorite heading into the Open Championship, it's hard to imagine a more emotional reading than last time.

But in the interest of helping out Jim Nantz's assistant, would anyone care to nominate their favorite rose-themed song for possible inclusion in tomorrow's final round AT&T National telecast?

Which Apocalyptic Sign Is This?

Nine remaining contestants will receive a surprise visit from course designer Greg Norman for the opening challenge, with the winners receiving immunity to the next episode.  For the remaining contestants, the popular “glass break challenge” returns, followed by an emotional challenge that will eliminate one contestant from the series.  Each player is competing to win her “Big Break” – tournament sponsor exemptions to the Lorena Ochoa Invitational presented by Bamanex and Corona Light on the LPGA Tour and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour.

So does this speak to the state of Greg Norman's image and course design career that he's resorting to reality show appearances at courses he's designed, or is this just how watched and followed the "Big Break" series has become?

Judging by the story on Norman's site, this appears to be a badge of honor...

The 13th season of Golf Channel's popular series, Big Break, premieres on Monday, June 21st at the 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf course at Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas - the newest Luxury Included® Sandals Resort. Featuring an all-female cast of 11 aspiring professional golfers, the 10-episode reality series showcases the contestants competing against one another in a variety of physical and mental challenges. During Big Break Sandals Resorts, one contestant is eliminated each week, with the final player receiving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn a sponsor's exemption to the Lorena Ochoa Invitational and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.