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Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Unpredictability reigns at the British Open as weather-related chaos causes leaderboard logjam
On the third day of last year's Open Championship, Corey Conners hit the course feeling great. Nice weather. Wearing short sleeves. Tied for seventh. 'Walk to the first tee and it just started raining sideways for most of the round,' Conners said. He shot an 80. Lesson learned. On Thursday, the Canadian came to Royal Portrush prepared for the worst. He finished three-over. 'I found it …' – searching for the right word – '… tricky out there.' A lot of golfers like that word. You could try poring over the weather reports, but this close to the North Atlantic, they read like a William Carlos Williams poem. Highly precise, but also mystical. The forecast for the Open called for 'early brightness' and 'mostly cloudy.' Later, 'sunny spells, but also some showers.' In the afternoon it was 'mainly dry,' but with 'heavy or thundery showers.' All those things were right. You're freezing, you're boiling, you're sodden and then you're dried out. When it rains, it's still. As soon as it isn't raining, you're looking for a tree to lash yourself to. After his round, Darren Clarke, who hails from these parts, referred to it as 'iffy weather,' which is the Irish way of saying 'hurricane alert.' It didn't seem to be determinative in terms of performance. Canada's Taylor Pendrith went out early in a group with Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen and Australia's Jason Day. They got the loveliest part of the day on their front nine, and were intermittently pelted on the back half. Pendrith and Day struggled (four-over and two-over, respectively). Olesen was the early leader at four-under. 'I'd love to be a weatherman here,' Day said afterward. 'You just get it wrong all the time.' In sports, we often speak of the conditions under which the game is played as separating the good from the bad, or at least the prepared from the not-so-much. There is a moral aspect to this judgment – can you take the cold, or are you a wimp? Most people would call inclement conditions something that tends to increase interest, and yet we are moving away from them as fast as possible. More and more, we seek perfection in our sporting environments. No new stadium or arena can be built anywhere without assurances of its performance-enhancing characteristics. No event should be held anywhere if it might get hot, or not hot enough. Hickory golfers go back to the roots of the game Links golf in general, and Royal Portrush in particular, suggest how deadening that approach can be. The weather changes every hour. Even if that doesn't bother you, it is on your mind. Does one have to prepare for the idea of weather as much as the actuality of it? 'I don't think necess … I guess maybe a little,' Conners said. He explained how the threat of wind – a 'heavier' sort – completely changes his approach. Back in the good ol' days, the boards in every hockey arena had their own bounces. If three well-known NHLers complained about erratic puck movement off the boards anywhere in the league now, they'd replace them with boards designed by NASA. The NHL and other leagues want to design a system in which the thing that is supposed to happen happens. Not always, of course. An upset is okay occasionally. But if it began to happen with regularity, people would doubt the system. It would mean the experts are wrong and no one knows anything. The goal is a sport which has removed chaos. That's good for gamblers, and bad for viewers. Only one of those groups matters any more. The first day of this year's Open wasn't madness, but it was able to surprise you. Fifty-five-year-old Phil Mickelson started the day having missed the cut in every major this year. This is what happens when your pay arrives in a dump truck whether you win or not. On day one, Mickelson looked like the old version of himself. Maybe not the Aughties one, but certainly the 2010s one. He got in early, shot one-under and practically skipped off the course. 'I really enjoy playing in these conditions,' he said, possibly even seriously. A couple of days ago, Scottie Scheffler told the media, unprompted, that winning leaves him feeling hollow and not 'fulfilled.' So of course he finished his day one off the lead. From now on, I expect more great athletes to come into scrums after three-home-run afternoons to talk about being and nothingness. 'What sort of a pitch was that on the 3-and-1 count, Aaron?' 'I don't care. What I do know is that when you look into the abyss …' Sergio Garcia, now 45, dressed in bright red, looking like a leaned-out Santa Claus, briefly threatened the lead as well. It's almost as if experience can occasionally be useful. In the late afternoon, the sky cleared. It got heavy and the wind picked up, but the scores didn't change much. By the end, 19 golfers were within two shots of the lead. Opinion: The pressure lifted, McIlroy can ease into back nine of his career Rory McIlroy was just outside that group at one-under. Famously, no top pro knows this course better than he does. He put his tee shot on the first hole into the short rough. Then he turned around and started hugging people. Given the situation, a great result. If you had to pick the most unexpected thing that could happen here is McIlroy blowing it for the second time in two chances. 'I'm surprised four-under is leading,' the Irishman said afterward. Let's hope for more of those.
National Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Taylor Pendrith relives Rory McIlroy's first tee disaster at The Open
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Taylor Pendrith's first career Open Championship round didn't go as planned at Royal Portrush on Thursday. Article content 'Pumped one out of bounds on the first swing,' the big-hitting Canadian said. 'Tried to battle back. Felt like I was hanging in there all right, but didn't really do much great today. Didn't hit the driver as well as I have been, didn't really have to many opportunities.' Article content Article content Teeing off just after 7 a.m. local time, the Richmond Hill, Ont., native pulled out his mini-driver (a driver with a smaller club head that are growing popular on tour) from the bag and stared at the intimidating opening tee shot that features out-of-bounds areas on both the left and right. Article content 'I chose left,' Pendrith said dryly despite the teeming rain that began just as his round finished. Article content Rory McIlroy famously hit his opening tee shot out of bounds left in 2019 and made an opening quadruple-bogey eight. Pendrith managed to save a double bogey on Thursday. Article content Article content 'I was battling hard after a really poor start. I was four-over through four so I hung in there just didn't have my best stuff,' Pendrith said. Article content After playing the final 14 holes in even par, Pendrith finished with a first round four-over par 75. Article content The 34-year-old has now played in every major championship. In May, he became the first Canadian since Mike Weir to finish inside the top-5 at a major with a T5 at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Article content Before this trip overseas, Pendrith had never played a single round of links golf. His first experience came last week at the Scottish Open and, when he arrived at Royal Portrush, he wasn't expecting the giant sand dunes and dramatic vistas of the rugged coastline. Article content Article content If only he had known that many of the beach scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed directly below the stunning fifth green at Portrush, he would have had a better idea of the landscape. Article content 'Honestly, when I saw the course the first time it wasn't what I expected it to be. I thought it would be flatter with straighter holes and less blind tee shots,' he said, perhaps remembering this tournament being played the past two years in England at Royal Troon and Royal Liverpool. Article content 'Here, there are a lot of blind tee shots, so I'm just trying to get used to that. Trying to get used to picking a good target and making a good swing despite not being able to see where you're hitting the ball or where it lands. That's a bit tricky for me.' Article content Teeing off in the fourth group of the day, Pendrith avoided the worst of Thursday's weather. Article content 'It wasn't super windy. It was consistent and the pins were kind of where we expected them to be,' he said. 'Just tricky when you don't have your best stuff. The poor start didn't help, just not a great day.' Article content
Toronto Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Taylor Pendrith relives Rory McIlroy's first tee disaster at The Open
Nude photo leak meant to be 'distraction' from political goals, McGregor says Trump says Coca-Cola to switch to cane sugar in U.S. Taylor Pendrith relives Rory McIlroy's first tee disaster at The Open Get the latest from Jon McCarthy straight to your inbox Sign Up Getty Images Article content PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Taylor Pendrith's first career Open Championship round didn't go as planned at Royal Portrush on Thursday. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account or Sign in without password View more offers Article content 'Pumped one out of bounds on the first swing,' the big-hitting Canadian said. 'Tried to battle back. Felt like I was hanging in there all right, but didn't really do much great today. Didn't hit the driver as well as I have been, didn't really have to many opportunities.' Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Taylor Pendrith relives Rory McIlroy's first tee disaster at The Open Back to video Article content Teeing off just after 7 a.m. local time, the Richmond Hill, Ont., native pulled out his mini-driver (a driver with a smaller club head that are growing popular on tour) from the bag and stared at the intimidating opening tee shot that features out-of-bounds areas on both the left and right. 'I chose left,' Pendrith said dryly despite the teeming rain that began just as his round finished. Rory McIlroy famously hit his opening tee shot out of bounds left in 2019 and made an opening quadruple-bogey eight. Pendrith managed to save a double bogey on Thursday. Monday Morning Golf Jon McCarthy has something for every golfer, with a notably Canadian slant. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Monday Morning Golf will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Play Video 'I was battling hard after a really poor start. I was four-over through four so I hung in there just didn't have my best stuff,' Pendrith said. After playing the final 14 holes in even par, Pendrith finished with a first round four-over par 75. The 34-year-old has now played in every major championship. In May, he became the first Canadian since Mike Weir to finish inside the top-5 at a major with a T5 at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Before this trip overseas, Pendrith had never played a single round of links golf. His first experience came last week at the Scottish Open and, when he arrived at Royal Portrush, he wasn't expecting the giant sand dunes and dramatic vistas of the rugged coastline. If only he had known that many of the beach scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed directly below the stunning fifth green at Portrush, he would have had a better idea of the landscape. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 'Honestly, when I saw the course the first time it wasn't what I expected it to be. I thought it would be flatter with straighter holes and less blind tee shots,' he said, perhaps remembering this tournament being played the past two years in England at Royal Troon and Royal Liverpool. Read More What makes The Open so special? More creativity and fewer drunks, say Canadian pros New R and A top boss dances around Donald Trump and LIV Golf 'Here, there are a lot of blind tee shots, so I'm just trying to get used to that. Trying to get used to picking a good target and making a good swing despite not being able to see where you're hitting the ball or where it lands. That's a bit tricky for me.' Teeing off in the fourth group of the day, Pendrith avoided the worst of Thursday's weather. 'It wasn't super windy. It was consistent and the pins were kind of where we expected them to be,' he said. 'Just tricky when you don't have your best stuff. The poor start didn't help, just not a great day.' Fellow Canadian Mackenzie Hughes struggles even more on Thursday, shooting an eight-over 79. Article content Share this article in your social network
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Kicked out of a casino' – Jason Day divides fans as he shows off bold new look at The Open
FANS joked Jason Day would be kicked out of a casino for his bold outfit at The Open. The Australian, 37, is never to shy away from a fashion statement on the golf course. 4 And it was no different for the opening round of The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. Day teed it up with Taylor Pendrith and early pace-setter Jacob Skov Olesen on Thursday morning. And he did so in another belting number. The 2015 PGA Championship winner opted for a truly unique kit. The design of his navy cardigan and matching sleeveless vest featured unusual artwork of a character, crown and a three-leaf clover. And Day completed the look with a navy visor for good measure. Needless to say, it stirred up quite the reaction on social media. And fans were split over the one-of-a-kind outfit. One said: "A gaudy shirt," followed by a thumbs down emoji. Another wrote: "Questionable sweater but still looks decent." A third added: "Fire." A fourth typed: "Horrendous." A fifth replied: "Begging for attention in all the wrong ways." A sixth responded: "I could definitely go without ever having to see a Jason Day outfit again." A seventh commented: "Thought he had a Christmas jumper on for a sec." And a final user quipped: "He'd be kicked out of a casino for that." Day was forced to change his clobber at the Masters last year for preaching their strict rules. Twelve months later, Augusta chiefs even asked the Aussie to tone down his outfits. Then he wore a showstopping stars-and-stripes combo - including American flag shorts - at the US Open. 4
Toronto Sun
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
What makes The Open so special? More creativity and fewer drunks, say Canadian pros
Get the latest from Jon McCarthy straight to your inbox Taylor Pendrith plays from the 13th tee during practice ahead of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Getty Images PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — There are four Canadians in this week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush and each one had a different answer when asked what the greatest challenge of links golf is. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Between learning the wind, the hard turf, the blind shots and the tricky short game, Canada's best golfers still managed to have a fun competition on Tuesday morning with Nick Taylor and Taylor Pendrith coming out on top over Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes. 'We ham-and-egged quite nicely,' Pendrith said. 'We had three eagles and bunch of birdies combined so it was fun.' The big-hitter from Richmond Hill, Ont., has the most to learn in the days leading up to the season's final major, considering his first taste of links golf came just last week at the Scottish Open. 'It's really cool and unique and like nothing that I've ever played,' Pendrith said. 'It was nice to see two different winds because the course can play so different. It's all wind dependent.' On Monday, the par-4 11th hole at Portrush was a driver and a fairway wood. On Tuesday with the wind flipped, it was a driver and a wedge. Pendrith said last week in the Scottish Open he hit a 2-iron from 320 yards to 30 feet, straight into the wind on the lively turf. 'Just hit it and ran it up there,' he said. 'So you can play so many different shots. It brings out the creativity in your game.' Jon McCarthy has something for every golfer, with a notably Canadian slant. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tuesday at a major means an all-Canadian practice round.🇨🇦Here at Royal Portrush the numbers worked out nicely for a foursome: Nick Taylor, Mackenzie Hughes, Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith. Team Taylor & Taylor went home happy making 'three eagles and a bunch of birdies.' — Jon McCarthy (@jonmccarthySUN) July 15, 2025 The firm fairways seem to be one of the biggest learning curves for Conners, of Listowel, Ont., who told the Sun both last year and on Tuesday that his world-class ball-striking is not fully comfortable getting through the uniquely hard links turf. 'A little bit of an adjustment getting over here,' Conners said. 'With the firmness of the turf, I wouldn't say I struck my irons particularly well. I've got to be a little bit more aggressive off the firm turf.' Conners is coming off a wrist injury suffered at the U.S. Open, where he was forced to withdraw, but after testing it for four days at the Scottish Open, he's confident it's ready to go. For five-time tour winner Nick Taylor from Abbotsford, B.C., getting used to all the blind shots and trusting the targets he and his caddie Dave Markle have set for themselves is a big deal this week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm not used to this many blind shots,' Taylor said. 'The holes back home are shaped for you, whether it's trees or bunkering. Here, it's committing to your lines and obviously the ball can get away from you with how much it runs.' For Hughes, the biggest difference the Dundas, Ont., native has found is the creativity needed around the greens, where there are always multiple ways to play every shot, including possibly a putter. Compare that to the PGA Tour, where most golfers have their 60-degree wedge in hand as soon as they miss a green. 'It makes you play a bit more on feel and instincts and have some imagination, which I think I tend to excel in situations like that,' Hughes said. All four players agreed that creativity around the greens is a must in links golf. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'You can hit shots with whatever club you want,' Pendrith said. 'There are a lot of putters here for me and bump shots where I turn down the face of my 60 or 56. It's all about figuring out how it will roll through the grass and bounce through the grass.' Another thing all the Canadians agree on is the warmth and knowledge of the golf fans, who are already pouring into Portrush for the practice rounds. There are expected to be more than 275,000 fans over the week. One young fan was overheard asking his father about that number on Tuesday morning: 'How can they fit that many people in Ireland?' It's not just the golf course that's different in links land, it's the game itself and the strong ties to community. 'I think it's more a part of the culture here and people have grown up with it,' Taylor said. 'The whole family has an understanding of the game that everyone seems to develop from a very young age. Back home they often get into the game a little bit later, so they are learning as it comes.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hughes agrees and feels that it has a lot to do with easier entry points to the game. Read More 'I think they have a lot more accessible golf than it seems like we do in the States or in Canada,' Hughes said. 'Little local golf courses seem very affordable to play and access which I think is cool. They also seem to blend as parks and golf courses as one. 'You play a round of golf and see people on walks and walking their dogs on the course. It seems to blend together and it's refreshing and nice.' The four Canadians have also noticed more knowledgeable and respectful fans both last week in Scotland and this week in Northern Ireland. 'The fans recognize a good shot even if it ends up 30 feet from the hole because of the challenging position you're in,' Pendrith said. 'They seem to be able to relate. Nobody is yelling after you hit your tee shot and they've been awesome. There are tons of people out here at Portrush already.' There also is a distinct lack of the frat boy mentality that has developed at PGA Tour events. Refreshingly, the vast majority of fans at this week's Open Championship aren't interested in turning a day at the golf course into a drinking competition. 'No, they're definitely not,' Conners said. Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA NFL Entertainment Toronto & GTA
