About That Sound Of Drums You'll Hear Saturday At The Open

Ewan Murray explains the “celebration of marching bands” concert to take place Saturday of The Open at Portrush. You may hear drum sounds as the last groups are playing and depending on who you believe, there may be an Orange Order appearance (here’s a different view than Murray’s).

As the third round of the final major of the year concludes, spectators will exit Royal Portrush to the sound of flutes and drums. The R&A wants us to cast our minds dreamily back to 1951, when Max Faulkner triumphed on Antrim’s north coast; Saturday evening will instead catapult us back to 1690 and the Battle of the Boyne.

In what has been billed as a “celebration of marching bands”, a three-hour concert will take place from 6.30pm in the centre of the town. The performers are listed on social media as if it were as natural as Glastonbury (which, in respect of Northern Ireland, you can make the reasonable case it is).

The William King Memorial band start proceedings, followed in half‑hour slots by the Derryloran Boyne Defenders, Dunloy Accordion, Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster and Moneyslane Flute Band. The Drumderg Loyalists will round things off from 9pm. The Sons of Ulster will then march to an Orange hall. There is naturally a comedic, ludicrous undertone to this in 2019 but when placed on the Open’s doorstep it is a horrendously embarrassing look.

Lovely!

Video: Royal Portrush's Fifth And Sixth Holes

The land has gradually grown more interesting with each hole and for many the par-4 fifth is the front nine’s best hole, a dogleg right over and around rumpled grounds rewards a left-to-right play. A deep green abuts the sea and White Rocks nearby and is generally the course’s most photographed spot, affording incredible views in all directions.

The 189-yard sixth sets up for a left-to-right shaped shot, depending on wind, and gradually narrows to a back peninsula featuring a steep falloff to the rear. Shots that are not shaped into the back third of the green will likely bound through into trouble.

Video: Royal Portrush's Third and Fourth Holes

The simple-looking par-3 third is 174 yards and guarded on the left by a swollen pot bunker and on the right but a tightly-mown hillock. Roll-offs left and in the left-rear probably eliminate many attempts at a run-up shot. The third green tilts right to left.

Things pick up considerable steam at the beautiful par-4 fourth, teeing off over a ravine with out-of-bounds down the right in the form of a property line. Another right-to-left shaped tee shot with bunkers left sets up an approach to a green situated between hillocks. The iron shot also sets up nicely for a right-to-left shot shape.

The 4th is named for Ireland’s first Open Champion and Portrush native son, Fred Daly.

Video: Royal Portrush's First And Second Holes

To get up to speed on Royal Portush, seen briefly in the 2012 Irish Open and before that, the 1951 Open, the options for flyovers are limited. Without the official Open site posting anything, we at least have this lovely set on Vimeo to check out. They can’t be embedded but I know you can handle clicking the link!

With out of bounds down the right and fairway bunkers, expect players to start with a lot of hybrids and irons on the 416-yard first. The green is elevated with a nice, steep fall-off to add interest. This hole was originally the third hole in H.S. Colt’s renovation of the course but became the first when Portrush’s clubhouse moved closer to today’s course.

The 572-yard second hole plays out in the same direction as the opener before bending left. Cross bunkers and tall, pinching dunes will annoy those who had to wedge out but otherwise this should be a great opportunity for birdie. The bunkerless green is slightly elevated and benched in between dune and a short grass fall off that will lure players to go for the green in two. But a slight miss will leave a tough recovery.

R&A: Terrain Unsuitable For Buggies Cited As Reason For Denying John Daly's Request

As with Bethpage Black, carts, aka buggies when we move overseas, are not allowed at any time. As noted by the R&A in squashing John Daly’s request for a cart.

From Alistair Tait’s Golfweek report, that also suggests the R&A had other reasons besides steeper-than-normal dunes:

“We believe that walking the course is an integral part of the Championship and is central to the tradition of links golf which is synonymous with The Open. We must also ensure that, as far as possible, the challenge is the same for all players in the field.

“The terrain at Royal Portrush is not suited to buggies and indeed the club itself does not permit their use. We have a serious concern that some parts of the course, where there are severe slopes and swales, would be inaccessible.”

Open Coverage Plans: 50 Live Hours, Tom At Turnberry, Irish Flute Takes Over For Bagpipes

Yanni’s been busy in the studio working with Irish flutists as bagpipers protest outside, as you’ll note in the trailer below. The NBC/Golf Channel plan for the 2019 Open Championship for Immediate Release:      

ORLANDO, Fla., (July 1, 2019) – In partnership with The R&A, NBC Sports Group announced its all-encompassing coverage plans for The 148TH Open, taking place July 18-21 at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. NBC Sports will dedicate 410 total hours surrounding The Open, the most ever, with 200 hours of linear programming coupled with 210 complementary hours of streaming coverage, including featured holes and marquee groups. Spanning from Thursday’s opening tee shot through Sunday’s final putt, the network’s Emmy-nominated tournament coverage will feature nearly 50 live hours, annually the most live coverage hours from any golf event. 

Having covered The Open for 40 years collectively, Paul Azinger (2005-’15), Nick Faldo (2004-’07 & 2016-’18) and Mike Tirico (1997-2018) will contribute their extensive familiarity in calling golf’s original championship and be joined by the deepest and most-experienced roster of analysts, hosts, reporters and personalities in golf. The network’s live tournament and complementary coverage will feature in-depth perspective on the significance of The Open’s return to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951, and for only the second time ever. This year, The Open also is being staged as the final men’s major championship of the year for the first time since 1971.

“The tradition that surrounds golf’s original championship takes on added significance this year with The Open returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years,” said Mike McCarley, president, Golf, NBC Sports Group. “Our extensive approach will feature an unprecedented amount of coverage, with live coverage from the first tee shot early Thursday morning through the final putt on Sunday evening. Leading up to The Open, our coverage will help set the stage with not only the competitive storylines, but also the cultural significance of Northern Ireland as host for just the second time in the 148-year history of The Open.”                                                               

Highlights of NBC Sports’ 410 Hours of Coverage Surrounding The 148TH Open: 

• “Playing Through” Returns: Enhancing both the viewership and commercial experience, NBC Sports’ popular “Playing Through” split-screen commercial format returns for The Open, ensuring viewers don’t miss key stretches of the action during commercial breaks. During NBC Sports’ coverage of The Open at Carnoustie in 2018, an additional 181 shots of live golf were shown because of “Playing Through”.

• Comprehensive News Coverage All Week: Called “the best 19th hole in television golf” by Golf Digest, Golf Central’s Live From The Open platform will headline nearly 70 hours of comprehensive news coverage from Royal Portrush, beginning Monday, July 15 at 9 a.m. ET. Morning Drive will complement the network’s news presence, including Midnight Drive, the show’s special 90-minute live pre-game show (Midnight-1:30 a.m. ET) that leads directly into the opening tee shot of The 148TH Open with GOLF Channel’s live coverage kicking off at 1:30 a.m. ET on Thursday morning.

• GOLF Films’ Tom at Turnberry: Premiering on Monday, July 8 at 9 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel, Tom at Turnberry will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Tom Watson’s unthinkable run (at age 59) at winning a sixth Claret Jug. On-site coverage during The Open also will feature a collection of GOLF Films “shorts,” to help tell the stories of The 148TH Open and Royal Portrush.

• Vantage Point with Mike Tirico Originating from Royal Portrush on Tuesday, July 16: Complementing the network’s Golf Central Live From The Open coverage, a new episode of Vantage Point with Mike Tirico will premiere on Tuesday, July 16 at 9 p.m. ET, originating from Royal Portrush. The show will include a GOLF Films short from NBC Sports’ David Feherty on his native Northern Ireland, in addition to a remarkable story on efforts being made to help curb PTSD through golf at Waterville Golf Links in Ireland. Vantage Point also will welcome additional guests alongside Tirico to offer context surrounding golf’s original championship in its return to Northern Ireland for the first time in nearly seven decades. Next month also will mark Tirico’s 23rd consecutive year covering The Open, and in addition to Vantage Point he’ll also contribute to NBC Sports’ live tournament coverage.

• The Men in Blazers Show at The Open Returns, Airing on NBCSN, July 17-21: NBC Sports’ critically-acclaimed The Men in Blazers – Roger Bennett and Michael Davies – are set to return to The Open for the second consecutive year, abandoning their Panic Room studio in the “crap part of SoHo” in Manhattan for a distant corner of Royal Portrush for a nightly show, Wednesday, July 17 through Sunday, July 22 on NBCSN. The nightly show will include featured guests, daily highlights, non-traditional stories and cultural elements from The Open presented in the duo’s signature, unconventional style. In addition to the nightly show on NBCSN from Royal Portrush, Rog and Davo will offer their unique takes on The Open through a series of features for NBC Sports’ overarching coverage.

• David Feherty Vignettes Highlight Unique Aspects of The Open: A native of Northern Ireland, NBC Sports’ David Feherty will deliver a collection of his signature vignettes to highlight the underappreciated and perhaps overlooked aspects of The Open from a local’s perspective. Excursions for Feherty will include an education on the ancient game of Hurling, a sport of Gaelic and Irish origins; a journey to locate a proper source for traditional Irish music; and a morning spent at sea attempting to catch his breakfast. Other content elements will include a story on the 2007 Walker Cup team, and a recollection of Rory McIlroy’s course record-setting 61 at Royal Portrush as a 16-year-old.

• Chronicles of a Champion Golfer: GOLF Channel will premiere new episodes of Chronicles of a Champion Golfer, a compelling series featuring first-person narratives of past Open champions. Airing on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET, upcoming episodes include Jordan Spieth (July 2 – 2017 champion), and Johnny Miller (July 9 – 1976 champion). The full library of Chronicles of a Champion Golfer episodes are currently available on GOLFPASS, featuring Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, among others.

• Golf’s Greatest Rounds: GOLF Channel will travel back in time with a collection of memorable Open Championships. Golf’s Greatest Rounds will relive the signature moments from past champions Darren Clarke (July 3 – 2011; Royal St. George’s), and Rory McIlroy (July 10 – 2014; Royal Liverpool).

• AIRTMES FOR THE 148TH OPEN WEEK (All Times EST)

  Monday, July 15

  7-9 a.m.                                   Morning Drive

  9-11 a.m.                                 Golf Central Live From The Open

  11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.                  Sky Sports – On The Range  

  7-9 p.m.                                   Golf Central Live From The Open

  9-10 p.m.                                 The Road to Royal Portrush

  Tuesday, July 16

  6-10 a.m. / Noon-2 p.m.         Golf Central Live From The Open

  10 a.m.-Noon                          Morning Drive

  9-10 p.m.                                 Vantage Point with Mike Tirico

  Wednesday, July 17

  6-10 a.m. / Noon-2 p.m.         Golf Central Live From The Open

  10 a.m.-Noon                          Morning Drive

  11-11:30 p.m.                         The Men in Blazers (NBCSN)

  Thursday, July 18

  Midnight-1:30 a.m.                 Midnight Drive

  1:30 a.m.-4 p.m.                      The Open – First Round

  4-5 p.m.                                   Golf Central Live From The Open

  11-11:30 p.m.                         The Men in Blazers (NBCSN)

  Friday, July 19

  1:30-4 p.m.                             The Open – Second Round

  4-5 p.m.                                   Golf Central Live From The Open

  11-11:30 p.m.                         The Men in Blazers (NBCSN)

  Saturday, July 20

  5-7 a.m.                                   The Open – Third Round

  7-11 a.m.                                 Golf Central Live From The Open

  7 a.m.-3 p.m.                           The Open – Third Round (NBC)

  3-4 p.m.                                   Golf Central Live From The Open

  1-1:30 a.m.                              The Men in Blazers (NBCSN, Saturday Overnight)

  Sunday, July 21

  4-7 a.m.                                   The Open – Final Round      

  7-9:45 a.m.                              Golf Central Live From The Open

  7 a.m.-2 p.m.                           The Open – Final Round (NBC)

  2-4 p.m.                                   Golf Central Live From The Open

  10-10:30 p.m.                         The Men in Blazers (NBCSN)

Slumbers Backtracks On No Deal Brexit Comment Showing That There Is No Deal To Be Made From Talking About No Deal Brexit

Interesting to see R&A Chief Martin Slumbers issue a statement a day after suggesting a no-deal Brexit could lead to headaches for the first Open in Northern Ireland since 1951.

Serious gunpoint style quotes here. All for…just answering a question. Or was this at issue? Pallets!

"There is no doubt in my mind that it is going be an historic occasion," said Slumbers of the 18-21 July event.

"We are determined to deliver an outstanding Championship at Royal Portrush and stage the biggest ever sporting event ever to be held on the island of Ireland.

"It is a privilege to be bringing The Open back to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 and we are all looking forward to it very much.

"We are working with our partners and the local agencies in Northern Ireland to stage a fantastic Championship of which everyone will be proud."

No-Deal Brexit Could Be A Headache For The Open, European Tour

With the March 29th deadline looming, R&A Chief Martin Slumbers explains how the failure to reach a Brexit deal could have huge ramifications for The Open at Royal Portrush.

From Alistair Tait’s Golfweek story:

A no-deal Brexit could potentially see the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland, something Slumbers could do without.

“The future of the border is our number one concern. We’ve got over 2,000 containers to get across the Irish Sea.

“The problem is we don’t know whether to reschedule to bring all our containers in through Dublin, whether to move them through Belfast, whether to ship them out of the UK now. That’s the biggest concern, and there are other aspects that make Brexit potentially very complex.”

Hey how about us people who have to cross those borders!

As for the European Tour, exchange rates are Keith Pelley’s primary concern:

“When we talk about Brexit it always comes back to how it will affect foreign exchange rates, and how it would affect prize money,” Pelley said. “That’s the crux for the European Tour.”

Video: Good Look At Royal Portrush's New Holes

Brian Keogh at the Irish Golf Desk says elite amateurs can first test Royal Portrush's "new" holes when the course hosts the North of Ireland Amateur Open from July 10-14.

This will be the first chance to see the two new MacKenzie-designed holes set to replace the current finishing holes when Portrush hosts the 2019 Open Championship.

Two new holes have been added to the famous links and play will now finish at what was originally the 16th. After playing the 189-yard (sixth) Harry Colt’s, a stunning par-three perched above White Rocks beach, players turn right into a valley where they will encounter a new challenge.

Holes seven and eight run parallel to the coast, high dunes concealing the shoreline as play sweeps through previously uncharted territory.

Keogh embeds a video showing the two holes off. New sand dune areas have just begun to be developed, but in two years they should look beautiful.