posted Jul 10, 2007

It appears that Mr Austin's idea of glory is the $1m+ he has made each year for the last 5 years, not competing against the best players in the world on the best stage in golf.
Quite honestly he should not be invited to play in another major ever again if his only motivation is not looking foolish. I remember how difficult it was for European Tour players to get a decent number of entrants for US Majors not so long ago. Could he not learn to adapt his game to links golf, like many of his fellow countrymen?
There are plenty of American golfers who are not the greatest exponents of links golf who still come any play as they see it as a challenge. At least they can say the gave every major they qualified for their best shot.
The likes of Austin, Hoch and Funk have won how many majors between them???

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posted Jul 10, 2007

I totally agree. I hope that Woody Austin regrets his decision when he's old and sitting in his rocking chair. I watched Richard Green at the Sunningdale qualifier and he was desperately disappointed not to have got through.

Didn't Paul Broadhurst do the same two years ago when having qualified for the US Open, he declined to play because he had already planned his 40th birthday party. (Perhaps, he should look at the dates of the majors at the start of the season - like I do - and plan his social activities better).

Having Green and not Austin in the field probably reduces the chances of Faldo making the cut - Austin would have been a guaranteed 80+ round.

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posted Jul 10, 2007

I remember two years ago when Sean O'Hair won the John Deere Classic. In doing this, he qualified for the Open, but didn't have a passport. Now, rather than sit at home and count his pennies, O'Hair went out and did everything he could to get a passport and ended up arriving at the Open on the Wednesday (I think).

And, if memory serves me correctly he had a very good week. My point is that some of the younger players put these greedy old men to shame.

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posted Jul 10, 2007

The other side of the coin is to say a Major should include everyone who is competitive and wants to win.

In my view, it is just as unfortunate for an unfit golfer to "compete" in a tournament, then swiftly withdraw when the option of an alternate competing has been lost, as it is for HochFunkAustinLevi etc to elect not to play in the first place. A reference to David Howell and Darren Clarke at the Players for instance.

They are all good players but the Open (and the Players) is better off with players who truly want to compete. Good luck to Richard Green, and let's hope that Woody has a good week in Milwaukee. Really.

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posted Jul 10, 2007

Perhaps it is enough for the weekend golfer to dream of taking part, but not a competitive pro. These guys have professional pride and I wouldnt want to go to work thinking I was going to humiliate myself for two days. Well done Woody in giving someone else a chance.

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posted Jul 11, 2007

Is it likely that any other American golfers will do an "Austin" and withdraw?
There is an excellent turn out for the Scottish Open this week. This tournament has in the past been a gem with some good and exciting golf right down to the wire.
It would be good for a return to some sort of form by Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia.
Clarke is priced at around 100/1. Might be a good each way chance.

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posted Jul 11, 2007

In defence of Woody Austin he's a very wound up kind of guy and if he makes some mistakes on the course he really REALLY beats himself up about it so a few mistakes at Carnoustie and he would just go nuts.

And penalising him for deciding to withdraw is nonsensical. He might do it for a living but there's plenty of us i'd bet who've skipped a comp because it's the morning after the night before or something equally flimsy so not looking like a fool, why not?

That said he's a muppet!

Foregoing the chance to playing in a major when you are a proven tournament winner shows no ambition and is an insult to Euro-golfers who travel to the states to compete in the 'World Tour' (read 'money tour', Finchem) where our pampered, fearful American friends prefer target golf and putting competitions to proper golf.

Mickelson is driven to win all the majors and especially the British Open because he wants to be seen as a 'complete golfer'. Now that's a 'tude. Having said that I'm not a fan of his although i'm a lefty. Go lefty Green

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posted Jul 11, 2007

Links golf is so different from inland golf. I play links all the time and, on occasion, the wind drives me nuts. Some drives that go straight and long end up in a bad lie due to taking a bad kick off undulating fairways. You learn about yourself and every round is a challenge because of the varying weather conditions that differ from day to day, or even from morning to afternoon.

I think that Mr Austin has missed an opportunity to further his golf education and discover whether or not he has the game to adapt. However it's his choice but I think he will be the loser for it.

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posted Jul 12, 2007

He is an idiot for not trying at least, he could have took the pressure right off himself by coming out and saying "I expect to finish last but am looking forward to the experience". How many Euro Tour pros would jump at the chance to get into a tricky US Open? All of them no doubt.

It's no loss anyway, I'm all for "fringe golfers" getting in, especially young Brits - Shame Robert Rock isn't playing instead of Green.

Out of the Yanks tho I'll be cheering for John Daly as I always do - you gotta love the bloke, and at 200-1 might be worth a small bet considering he is magic in the wind and has won 2 majors before.

Come on Daly! (and also come on Casey, Donald, Rose, Harrington, Clarke, Olazabal etc etc)

Can anyone see Garcia winning a major? I don't think he has the mentality to win one ever?? Hope he proves me wrong this year - last year he whimpered out in that dual with Woods - how lame!

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posted Jul 12, 2007

who is woody austin?

i think that sums up his non involvement in this weeks golf

i dont recall him winning anything of any note?

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