I hesitate to call this anything other than a mere Gonzo Journalism experiment on my part—maybe the biggest upon which I’ve ever endeavored—but it needs to be explained as such.
The first day’s coverage can be explained as coming in late because of a tuxedo fitting for a wedding of two people whom I respect highly, followed by the brevity of a second day column in which I rushed do to a much important rehearsal and dinner.
Yet this day is entirely different, for this day holds the actual nuptials: And their ever importance of my presence, the fact that I’m a groomsman in this regard would be irrelevant as to the importance of my witnessing it, because this is beauty at its highest. Any gap in this undertaking, known to most as a column, but to me an adventure, is entirely understandable.
So I’ll take any and every bit of flack for the lack of coverage. (And this being my third wedding in which I am about to partake over the last twelve months, I’ll close with one little number I heard at the reception of the first of the three that holds a little special place in my heart for its humor in placement, as well as its artistic merit.)
And now—back to the point…
Early Birds
Several of the early tee times were movers up on the leader board. And a few others went south as well.
Zach Johnson righted the ship today shooting a 66 to put him back at (-5) after an above par round on Friday. His round included 6 birdies and 2 bogeys, so he could potentially shoot lower or much of the same tomorrow.
Dustin Johnson put his overall score into read numbers, shooting his second straight 68, as he now sits at (-1).
The big negative mover on the day early in the morning hours was Scotland’s Martin Laird: Who shot an 82, which included 4 double bogeys; he’s now at (+11).
Of the colourfully outfitted two that made the cut Rickie Fowler definitely had a better day that John Daly; Fowler hit 70 to remain at (+3); Daly, however, didn’t do so hot, hitting the second worst score of the day: 77; and he’s now at (+10).
Tiger Watch
Tigers Woods shooting an even par round wasn’t exactly ideal for his chances at taking this thing, yet the round showed just how many shots Tiger has been leaving out there on the course.
Bogeys at Holes 1 and 3 quickly were erased as the front 9 unfolded as Woods birdied three-of-the-last-four holes.
The back, however, was essentially a turn of near misses, resulting in one bogey putting Tiger at (E) for the day, (-6) for the championship.
Tiger’s in the second-to-last group on Sunday nevertheless, so get ready for the drama.
The Final Pairing, Today and Tomorrow
Adam Scott, day one’s leader, and Brandt Snedeker, day two’s, went out last on this fine day. Both shot their worst rounds of the British Open, but Scott’s was most certainly better.
Scott shot 68, sits at (-11) and that sets him up for the lead headed into the final major of this year. He’s showing no signs of weakness, so it’d shock me, in all honesty, if he lost this thing.
Snedeker had the wheels fall off in front of the whole wide world, yet regained some of his composure at the round’s end.
His front was ugly, with two bogeys on each side of his one birdie over a five-hole stretch; the back, moreover, didn’t start well, as he bogeyed Holes 11 and 14. A silver lining followed however, as Snedeker birdied two-of-the-last-three holes—including a pretty impressive birdie putt on Hole 18.
Snedeker’s paired with Tiger tomorrow, after his 73, but he’s ahead of Mr. Woods at (-7).
Scott’s got Graeme McDowell in his grouping, a man with a major, due to the Irishman’s extremely consistent play with his posting of 67-69-67 or (-7).
Nothing more to do other than watch, so I’ll leave you with what I teased in the opener, albeit having been placed in parentheses…
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