[Rainger99]

Up early watching the Open.

Amazing the number of top golfers that missed the cut.

Who do you think is the golfer that has not had the career that we expected?

[retiredguy123]

Jordan Spieth. But, golf has become more about power and less about skill. Also, in my opinion, having children does not improve a player's game.

By the way, the Brits do not like you to call it the British Open. To them, it is The Open Championship.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Up early watching the Open.

Amazing the number of top golfers that missed the cut.

Who do you think is the golfer that has not had the career that we expected?

Considering the British Open was your reference point, my friend Bobby Clampett comes to mind.

In his words, "I'm the only 2 time winner of the Haskins Award" (Phil won it 3 times).

Bobby had the lead by 5 strokes, when the 3rd round of the 1982 British Open at Royal Troon began. He lead by 7 on the 6th Tee of the 3rd round. Bobby shot 78-77 and finished 10th. He was never the same again. He was a phenom in college and only won once on the PGA Tour ... 1982 Southern Open.

Here's a photo of Bobby, with me and Jimmy Roberts. The last time The Open Championship was held at Royal Troon, was 2016. Jimmy was about to do an interview with Bobby, about his collapse at the '82 Open Championship.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

By the way, the Brits do not like you to call it the British Open. To them, it is The Open Championship.

I put British Open in the title so that people that don’t follow golf that closely would know what I was talking about. I used the “correct” term in the post.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I put British Open in the title so that people that don’t follow golf that closely would know what I was talking about. I used the “correct” term in the post.

"The Open Championship" is a bunch of pretentious baloney.

It was colloquially called the British Open for some 50 years. About 15-20 years ago, the R&A hired a public relations firm to change the name back to "The Open Championship".

Prior to that, everyone, including the British Press, referred to it as the British Open. The Official USGA Entry Form for the US Open specifically offered winners of the "British Open", exempt status for the US Open. The entry form was changed about 10 years ago.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Considering the British Open was your reference point, my friend Bobby Clampett comes to mind.

In his words, "I'm the only 2 time winner of the Haskins Award" (Phil won it 3 times).

Bobby had the lead by 5 strokes, when the 3rd round of the 1982 British Open at Royal Troon began. He lead by 7 on the 6th Tee of the 3rd round. Bobby shot 78-77 and finished 10th. He was never the same again. He was a phenom in college and only won once on the PGA Tour ... 1982 Southern Open.

Here's a photo of Bobby, with me and Jimmy Roberts. The last time The Open Championship was held at Royal Troon, was 2016. Jimmy was about to do an interview with Bobby, about his collapse at the '82 Open Championship.

I wasn’t specifically referring to the Open or players that have never won a major. I was asking about current players that we expected to do more than they have done.

I would think Rory would be on the list. When he came on the tour, the experts said he would win 10 majors. He only has four majors but the last was 10 years ago when he was 25.

I would also put Sergio and Adam Scott on the list. They only have 1 major each.

The best player never to have won a major is a different discussion.

Are These The Best Golfers Never to Have Won a Major.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I would think Rory would be on the list. When he came on the tour, the experts said he would win 10 majors. He only has four majors but the last was 10 years ago when he was 25.

When Rory won his 3rd or 4th Major, I read a post on social media, predicting he would surpass Tiger.

I laughed and said, "you don't understand the Irish culture".

Any "expert" who predicted Rory was destined to become an all-time great, doesn't understand the Irish.

Rory is plenty talented, but I think his best years are behind him.

[jim@jedward.com]

So it’s the “Irish culture“ that has stunted Rory McIlroy‘s golf career?

I guess Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke didn’t get the memo.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by jim@jedward.com

So it’s the “Irish culture“ that has stunted Rory McIlroy‘s golf career?

I guess Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke didn’t get the memo.

Nick Faldo????? Did he secretly defect to Ireland while the rest of us weren't looking???? Maybe substitute Shane Lowry or GMac

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by jim@jedward.com

So it’s the “Irish culture“ that has stunted Rory McIlroy‘s golf career?

I guess Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke didn’t get the memo.

Rory McIlroy has won 40 Tournaments and 4 Majors. I'm not sure he's had a "stunted career" ... how many Majors have you won?

I think you're confused about Nick Faldo's heritage. If Nick Faldo ever stepped foot in Ireland, he was either on vacation or playing in a golf tournament.

Darren Clarke? He's won exactly 3 tournaments on the PGA Tour.

Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy are the only Irish golfers to win 2 or more Majors. Both have had stellar careers. Both were often mentioned as golfers who were likely to win a raft of majors, based on their talent (not that 4 isn't close to a "raft").

I don't think the Irish culture is as competitive as some others. As much as Rory would have loved to with the British Open, I think he would have been almost as happy, to see his friend Shane Lowry win. You're certainly entitled to disagree.

[sowilts]

Originally Posted by jim@jedward.com

So it’s the “Irish culture“ that has stunted Rory McIlroy‘s golf career?

I guess Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke didn’t get the memo.

Nick Faldo was born at Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom. He is not Irish.

[chuckpedrey]

Having children tends to make one realign one’s priorities. Compared to raising children playing golf becomes little more than a means to an end. Even at his present level of success it is more than adequate to provide an income that removes the stress of running out of money before the end of the month.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Up early watching the Open.

Amazing the number of top golfers that missed the cut.

Who do you think is the golfer that has not had the career that we expected?

Russell Henley. The kid has won a few tournaments and is now 13th in the FedEx standings after his 4th place finish at The Open. I venture to say most people have never heard of him.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Rory is plenty talented, but I think his best years are behind him.

Unfortunately, you can say that about most of us!

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by G.R.I.T.S.

Russell Henley. The kid has won a few tournaments and is now 13th in the FedEx standings after his 4th place finish at The Open. I venture to say most people have never heard of him.

What were your expectations of Russell Henley when he first started playing?