You would think world number nine Jason Day – who previously spent 51 weeks atop the global standings, has won a major, and is ranked 14th in career prizemoney at $42.39 million – would be in a marquee group at Carnoustie for the 147th Open Championship.
Not so.
The 30-year-old has been drawn with Haotong Li, ranked 42 in the world, and Shota Akiyoshi, ranked 121.
Who?
Carnoustie is rightfully ranked the world’s toughest links course, so there’s a pretty fair chance the Australian’s playing partners will be having their troubles for the first two days.
And that could well damage Day’s momentum. You can’t win the tournament in first two days, but you sure can lose it.
Just look at some of the other groups.
World number one Dustin Johnson has Alex Noren (11), and Charley Hoffman (34). Number two Justin Thomas has the in-from Francesco Molinari (15), and South African Branden Grace (35).
Third-placed Justin Rose has defending champion Jordan Spieth (6) and the big-hitting Kiradech Amphibarnrat (30), while two-time US Open champion Brooks Koepka (4) has Ian Poulter (29) and talented young Australian Cameron Smith (44).
It wasn’t that long ago Tiger Woods was ranked 1199, but after four back surgeries, he takes on Carnoustie as the 71st ranked golfer in the world. For the first two days he’ll be with Hideki Matsuyama (16), and Russell Knox (49) – a far better grouping than Day.
But most of the groupings are better – much better – than the Australian is with.
Even compatriot Adam Scott, who is hardly seen these days and has slipped to 82, has Zach Johnson (52), and Branden Steele (56).
But all eyes will be on Tiger – especially those of the commentators.
Tiger Woods (Keith Allison/Flickr – CC BY-SA 2.0)
Since his comeback, all they can talk about is “Tiger this” and “Tiger that”, and use the surnames of every other golfer in the field (bar the two Johnsons – Dustin and Zach – just to tell them apart to viewers).
Woods is now 42, and rated the world’s best golfer by far too many, which is factually and statistically wrong.
Jack Nicklaus is categorically the best, with 18 majors, 19 seconds, nine thirds, and 56 top fives. Woods is way in arrears, with 14 majors, six seconds, four thirds, and 31 top fives.
He’s not infallible anymore.
But keep fingers crossed Jason Day isn’t damaged in the first rounds by two partners most have never heard of.
Pat
Guest
Thanks for defending my favorite player-was so proud of his play today..
Jeremy
Guest
Is he suppose to be inspired by other players while playing the Open Championship is he? How dare you call them nobody’s, they have worked there arses off to get where they are. As for coverage, do some research and go and ask 1000 people who they would rather watch on TV...Jason or Tiger. Be sure to use your position as a writer to give us the results. Jason is a great player but Tiger Woods is the most influential Golfer in history, when Tiger puts the clubs on the shelf then you can’t start your comparisons with Jack for the title of GOAT.
Albo
Guest
Spot on ! Day's only challenge is to get his own game into order. Not sure a course like Carnoustie is his sort of course especially if it blows.
Chris
Guest
How did this article devolve into an argument about Tiger vs Jack? GOAT arguments serve no purpose other than alleviate boredom. I agree Day has been hard done by but he is a world class golfer and should not be fussed by the lack of attention (aside from being influenced by the play of his partners, sometimes smaller galleries and less attention have a positive influence on play). Tiger gets good groupings and media attention because he brings viewers and galleries. Evidenced by the upturn in ratings on the US tour since his return. People want to watch him, even those who dislike him follow him hoping he will fail. Articles such as this bring more attention to Woods thus validating the commentators discussing him for better or worse. So maybe consider how you contribute to the problem?
Marcus
Guest
Incorrect inference. Like most I think Jack is the best ever (and about a million times more likeable). I was just pointing out the ridiculous segue for a few paragraphs to the very overdone “best ever” argument. Which isn’t an argument for most. Commentators call him so often because that is presumably what the baying crowd want. But yes it is a bit self-perpetuating. To say Woods isn’t infallible anymore is a real shocker. Hilarious that you can call 24yo Cam Smith an up and comer and then use “it’s been a long time between drinks” for a 22yo with a better record and a more recent Tour win. No need to mention that Smith’s win was in doubles.
Ryan macdonald
Guest
I’m pretty sure Jason’s playing partners aren’t rank amateurs who will chop around Carnoustie And let’s be honest Jason hasn’t been at his peak this year So any score mr day gets this week at the open is on his head...not his playing partners Of all the articles I’ve read on the open... this is the most baffling!
David Lord
Expert
Racism is total rubbish, and no wonder Li is the idol of billions of Chinese, he's THE ONLY one who has done anything among the current crop. His 63 in the final round of The Open last year was brilliant, but his other major appearances in majors have been 16th, 32nd, 68th, and a missed cut. His WGC appearances - seventh, 35th, 39th, 50th, 59th and 89th twice - hardly headline grabbing. But winning the Dubai Desert Classic was headline grabbing, beating Rory McIlroy by a shot, but it's a log time between drinks. You are obviously a Tiger Woods believer, but as FACT supports, he's a long way short of Jack Nicklaus as the greatest golfer of all time..
DLKN
Guest
I'd be more concerned with how Day's playing style might negatively impact on the chances of good golf from the other two players. Day has for some time had a reputation as one of the slowest, most frustrating playing partners in the pro ranks, with his need to check and double-check his yardage, and then mentally rehearse every single shot, often at considerable length. It could well be the other two waiting for Day, not the other way around.
Marcus
Guest
What a ridiculous premise for an article. There are 156 players teeing it up tomorrow so there will be a mix. Good golfers (and Day is certainly one of them) play their own game. And for what it's worth Li can definitely play. As noted in your article, he is ranked higher than your "up and comer" Smith. Importantly, he is 2 years younger and is one of the biggest prospects in golf. Far bigger than Cam Smith. For many in a certain country with billions of people, he is the BIGGEST name in golf. To use the word "Who" when referring to Li shows true ignorance. And maybe a little bit of casual racism maybe? Then you just finish off with a few stats complaining about Tiger still being a big name. Hopeless.
David Lord
Expert
Very interesting comments Luke, but the odds of Jason's two partners inspiring him are remote. Let's say three of the top 10 in the world are in the same group, the chances of them inspiring and pushing one another are high, and most likely the trio will turn in low scores. But Jason is the only top golfer in his group, Carnoustie is rightfully rated the toughest links course in the world, and therefore there's a big chance the junior two will be in trouble more often than not while Jason waits for them, loses his own momentum, and his way. For preference Luke I really hope you are right, but you will have to change human nature.
Luke Ringland
Guest
Good to see a golf story on here! On your article David, I believe only Jason Day could tell us if this is a good group for him or not. From what I hear, some of the top players prefer to be more anonymous in the early stages and aren't so affected by their playing partners. For others it's the reverse. We'll see. We also can't say for sure what these unknown players will bring. Many solid players below the top aren't necessarily erratic players, but struggle to make birdies. I'd Carnoustie is playing hard then this could be just the player to help Day.