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Opinion
First of all apologies. I know there were thousands of Roar readers waiting for the follow up to the first round analysis of the 150th Open Championship published here yesterday.
But I was so inspired I just had to get out on the course this morning. Asleep at 12, up at five after five hours of broken, excited sleep. Cam Smith started his day with three birdies and went on with it.
I started with three double bogies and went on with that. Cam sunk about 200 feet of putts on his first nine holes in round two. I did the same except substitute the word “sunk” for “missed”. Closest to the pin on two of the four par 3s.
Putts drained? Zero.
A ”Cameron” has never won a major. I’m also betting if he did win it would be the finest mullet ever to win one too (although Long John may have something to say about that).
A “Scottie” has never won an Open Championship either. The world number one seems to be able to pick out a 6 inch squared piece of turf and hit it from 190m. And this is a guy who can’t hit a draw.
Dustin, poised near the lead doesn’t hit one either. Draws are over rated (which is handy because to this day I’ve still never hit one).
I still want to check Scottie’s passport though. Does it say “Scottie” or “Scott”? One bloke’s passport that says Scott has the given name Adam before it.
Our Scotty is back. The long unanchored stick was working a treat. The most handsome man in golf with the most handsome swing is getting it all together. A
nd don’t we love it. His greying three day growth matching his jumper and cap reminds us that this incredible human is on the wrong side of 40 but still has another win or two in him.
He shot a sublime 65 and is in genuine contention. This is the bloke who donates all his prizemoney earned on the Australian tour to his Foundation to give away to worthy causes.
That was until those that are in charge diverted appearance money to others during the process of taking him for granted. Nice one. Scotty hasn’t been back since.
Cam Smith (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The day started in rain and drizzle which slowed the greens and softened the fairways such that they became on the slightly harder side of granite.
It all looked poised to be one of those typically wet, windy and cold Scottish days. Reminded me of that glorious day in 2017 at Royal Dornoch in the far north of Scotland.
If you haven’t heard of it, look it up. Global top 10 course. Seriously. It is wet and windy up there. The only thing tougher than the weather are the caddies. Talk about a tough school. I remember hitting a seven iron to within 2m on the third.
The reply, “I’ve seen closer laddie”. I sunk a 20m bomb on the eighth. Nothing. He was acting like the golf course’s great defender.
Who’s side was he on anyway? After a creditable 82 he was more bristle than thistle and just scratched his yellowing beard wondering just who was this bloke from down under.
Rory will be there on the weekend. Not at Royal Dornoch. At St Andrews. As will Lucas Herbert who continues to fly (just) under the radar.
Jordan looks good. His swing looks more muscled up and athletic. Tiger won’t be. Hands in pockets walking down the first it was pretty clear the guy is hurting.
A late finish Thursday followed by an early start Friday and six hour rounds didn’t help. You just hope he takes a break and lets his body mend. If he does that, why can’t he win again?
So surely its Cam Smith’s time. Around the middle of the pack in length off the tee stats on tour, it just doesn’t matter on the Old Course with minimal wind and so much roll. That makes it a wedge and putt off. And there are few better at that than Cam.
His eagle on 14 was something to behold. The 64 foot putt wasn’t straight for one roll. Such a simple approach and set up and stroke. Such little distinction you are not even sure how to copy him.
Maybe that’s the key.
With the winners of the last five Opens at St Andrews not making the cut (Louis Oosthuizen, Long John, Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods…what are the chances they all get together on the weekend just to hang out? Yeah agree, not high), it is time for a new winner. But Cam will have to fight off Scottie, Scott, another Cameron , Dustin and Rory.
May the power of the mullet be with you Cam.
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