Dean's Blog For 15 July, 2015

Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth might see tough conditions when they tee off at the Open Championship.

Wednesday, July 15th 2015, 6:24 pm



CADDY SHACK VERY IMPORTANT ON GREAT COURSES

One of my favorite experiences in life is to play a world-class golf course with a veteran local caddie who passes along grand stories, helpful pointers about where to aim, what to avoid and how putts will break. The most memorable rounds were the times I was fortunate to play at Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, Olympic Club, Southern Hills and the Old Course at St. Andrews. Oak Tree National is world-class in my mind, but it’s fortunately where I play most of my golf and not a vacation trip destination for locals.

Much to my chagrin, I ended up with caddies dumber than a box or rocks for one of my rounds at Pebble and the trek around the Old Course. Playing two of the most iconic courses on planet Earth, here I am with Gomer and Goober Pyle telling me to hit 7-iron when the shot called for knockdown wedge. You know it’s not good when your first memories of playing those courses is flashbacks to Forrest Gump caddies.

TIGER TRACKER

Tiger brings optimism as his fifteenth club this week after a solid ball-striking performance at the Greenbrier. He had his best proximity to hole in two years resulting from crisper irons and a tee-ball that he kept in the Central Time Zone. But tempering that a little is the fact that the Greenbrier was a relatively easy, short course that even had Tiger admitting he hit nine-iron or less on many approach shots.

LUCK OF THE DRAW & RUB OF THE GREEN 

One of the biggest overlooked factors to golf fans is the impact the luck of the draw has on the outcome. Just check history. It’s a fact.

We should know about 5:30 a.m. CST Thursday if Tiger could make it a memorable week or if he’ll be 36-holes and old.  He tees off at 3:55 and struggles with the wind he’ll play in on the outward nine – from his left to right. If he turns in good shape and managers to keep his tee-ball in Wales the first 2.5 hours, the back nine will suit his eye and game, which should have him in good shape one-fourth of the way into the 2015 Open.

However, as of late Wednesday in Scotland, the draw looks like the guys with the early-late draw will get the worst of it (Early off Thursday and late off Friday when 40-45 MPH winds are projected). That means Tiger and Spieth will be at a disadvantage that the lovable Longhorn claimed could cost 3-4 shots to that wave. I’d hate it for Tiger’s chances at continuing a positive comeback that is much needed on this world-wide stage.

JORDAN RULES

However, in the broader picture, it’d be awful for the guy seeking the near-impossible looking for the third leg of the Grand Slam to be at such a disadvantage. But Spieth, as he does with an astonishingly natural disposition, didn’t complain today. He actually said that great players can make those strokes up.

His press conference comments today were typical Spieth, when asked how frustrating it is when the luck of the draw plays such a big part (and that it looks like he’s getting a raw deal): “Its fine. If we want good weather we go play in California. We come over here because we want to embrace the opportunity of handling these conditions. I understand the importance of the draw and the possibility that a lot of this tournament could be dependent upon the draw, at least for a few strokes. Doesn’t mean you can’t make them up, if you get the bad end of it. But it will be harder. Going into it, you have to be as positive as you can be.”

Wow. Sound just like Sergio, right. Wrong. Most of those guys have a conniption fit if the wind blows over 6 MPH in the state’s and toss so much grass in the air you’d think you were at Woodstock.   

A word about Spieth’s poise. He’s 21 going on 41, during interviews, and every time we’ve seen him when he’s not standing over a golf shot. Peers are effusive with praise over how at ease the wunderkind is around people. Had to have had strong parenting and schooling.

But I’m betting that his lifetime of living, loving and dealing with Ellie, Jordan’s 14-year old special needs sister, has immeasurably helped him become grounded. And better understand life’s priorities and values. Their relationship is genuine; perhaps the most appropriate and appealing word that best describes the Masters and US Open winner.

Every parent should have their child watch the guy. Everything he does seems right. Ability to simplify the complicated, utilize the “we” and not the “I” in answering questions

Researching his bio, here’s how he describes his philosophy: “My Dad told me growing up, ‘You’ve got to start setting goals.’ That’s been my philosophy, set goals and work hard, stay focused, and reach them as soon as possible. At each level, I always reevaluate my goals and establish new ones. I never want to become complacent, but always push myself further.”

FINALLY  

For many of these Long Knocks, The Old Course can play to where there are five drivable par-4s with all four par-5s are reachable in two. Thank God and Old Tom Morris that high winds and heavy rain are expected, or else as green and soft as most famous course in the world is right now, you’d have to fire those John Deer Classic 20-unders scores to have a chance at sniffing the Claret Jug.

The course is almost unrecognizable upon first glance. It’s greener than ever – just like our courses in Oklahoma. It’s so soft that Tiger said approach shots are backing up for the first time in memory.

Contrary to popular opinion, softer conditions are more advantageous to the long hitter. So keep an eye on Brandon Grace. Long, strong and familiar with the terrain. Take him as a long-shot and you might win a little jingle.

Don’t keep an eye on Justin Rose, perhaps the greatest swinger of the golf club in the game. For whatever reason, the Englander has an awful Open record. It’s gone downhill ever since he burst on the scene as a 17-year old finishing fifth at his first Open after knocking a wedge in for eagle from the hay on the left side of the fairway on his 72nd hole.

It wouldn’t surprise at all if Dustin Johnson has a chance to win on the back nine Sunday. However, not many of DJ’s peers will be rooting for him. Multiple professional players have told me the guy is neither well-liked or respected. And shall we say, he wouldn’t win an IQ test, unless it was against those caddies mentioned earlier!

However, his brutally long driver and overall God-given talent make it hard for him to not have a chance to win every time he tees it up. Especially majors, where long and straight usually has you playing in the final groups on the weekend.  Twin Hills is one of the few courses locals might think of where straight and long isn’t the most important tool in the box. And the last pro event at the tremendous layout at I-35 and NE 36th was when Arnie roamed one of Perry Maxwell’s best over half a century ago.  

SPEAKING OF ARNIE

Speaking of Arnie, Spieth has a lot of The King in him. The charm, sincerity, charisma, and popularity. He also has the game Arnie had; and more. So, in keeping with my lifetime obsession with Arnie, I’ll be rooting for the proud Texan. Go Get ‘Em Jordan! And Go Get ‘Em Arnie.

THURSDAY PAIRINGS OF INTEREST (Central Standard Time)

12:43 a.m. -- Todd Hamilton (OU), Paul Dunne and James Hahn

1:16 a.m. -- Joost Luiten, Matt Jones and Robert Streb (Edmond North)

1:27 a.m. -- Anthony Wall, Byeong-Hun An and Jordan Niebrugge (OSU)

2:33 a.m. -- Ernie Els, Tom Watson and Brandt Snedeker

3:00 a.m. – Hunter Mahan (OSU), Luke Donald, and Carl Petterson

3:55 a.m. -- Tiger Woods, Louis Oosthuizen and Jason Day

3:33 a.m. -- Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth

5:55 a.m. -- Soren Kjeldsen, Morgan Hoffmann (OSU) and Danny Lee

6:12 a.m. – Jonathon Moore (OSU), and Ryan Fox

8:12 a.m. -- Adam Scott, Martin Kaymer and Jimmy Walker (OKC native)

8:34 a.m. -- Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson

8:45 a.m. -- Nick Faldo, Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler (OSU)

8:56 a.m. -- Jim Furyk, Paul Casey and Branden Grace

Enjoy! And I hope you set your alarm at 3 a.m., too!

Fairways and Greens,

Dean

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