Fatherhood, nicknames, missing the cut with flair and getting ready for the weekend; just another day at Royal Birkdale with the best golfers in the world.
Don’t call me Andrew, says Beef – who then prays for rain and looks for a box set to binge watch!
‘On the first day the starter said “I’m gonna manage you as Beef, do you mind?” And I said, “No, not at all.” I think it’s really cool. I just hope I did enough to make the cut. I’m going to rain dance all day now, about five hours straight.
‘I’m going to have a good nap, put the telly on, watch something. I’ve already caught up on Game of Thrones unfortunately.’ – Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston was introduced to crowds on the first tee by his nickname and then he prayed for rain. He will be back on Saturday.
Excited McIlroy can’t wait for the weekend
‘That’s right up there. I just wanted to continue with that good feeling from the last few holes in the first round. I went out with positivity and trusted in myself. I just need to keep that for the next two days and I can’t wait.’
– Rory McIlroy was delighted with his 68, calling it one of his best Open rounds ever, and that’s from the player who carded a 63 at St Andrews and consecutive 66s on the way to winning at Hoylake. He’s back in contention.
From high to low, Charl Schwartzel has a tough day
‘I couldn’t putt in this wind. That was my biggest challenge. I was three-putting almost every hole. I haven’t narrowed it down how to play in these severe conditions and that’s hard for me.’ – Charl Schwartzel was the co-leader of The Open for one hole and then dropped nine shots in the 14 holes that followed.
Missing the cut – with panache
‘It’s not that big a deal. Unfortunately, it’s the first cut I’ve missed this year and I missed it with flair. We all go through days like this. And it’s part of the game. I don’t want to put too much stock on it.’ – Champion Golfer of the Year, 2013, Phil Mickelson, would rather forget the double bogey and eight bogeys on a round endured. It’s his first missed cut of the season, but his positive outlook teaches up-and-coming pros a lot.
The Open is top of the list
‘I’m not Tom Watson, I’m not Jack Nicklaus, I’m not Arnold Palmer, I’m just a guy who in ’98 was lucky to win the championship and hoist the Claret Jug, and be proclaimed Champion Golfer of the Year.
‘I’ll miss it, but I’ll always watch it and I’ll always be interested and intrigued by what the young players do around links golf. We’re going to see some interesting play over the next two days.
‘I truly believe that The Open Championship is the top of the list in my book.’ – 1998 winner Mark O’Meara carded his 300th career Open birdie in his last-ever round at the championship. And a level-par 70 in bad conditions was a special achievement. Class act.
Nothing beats being a Dad, says Richie
‘Olivia teaches me a lot, and being a Dad has probably calmed me down a bit. I definitely don’t take things for granted as much and I’m a little bit more patient.
‘Last week I had a bad finish and walked in the players’ lounge, and Olivia clocked me from about 20 yards away. Her hands went up and she had a smile on her face, and that just cheers you up.
‘When she smiles, I smile. Olivia will probably want me to read some books this afternoon.’ – Three-time European Tour winner Richie Ramsay hopes his 16-month-old daughter can prevent him going ‘off kilter’.
Credit: The Open website
