We had a typically ‘dreech’ day in Scotland - drizzly and overcast here at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick.
I am driving down to Sheffield and will not be in Scotland over the weekend. I will have Saturday at home, wash and iron my dirty clothes and then I am off again again to the Open on Sunday morning to catch up with some early arrivals.
Some very good, average and poor performances from our players today at the 2021 Scottish Open.
Here is my analysis in alphabetical order:
Adri Arnaus (-5/T23rd): I am impressed with what Mike Walker is working on with Adri. He always seems to be scoring solidly, he just disappointed himself with two bogeys in his final three holes.
Sean Crocker (+2/T121st): Six bogeys in Sean’s first round gave him too much to do today. Sean is not in The Open field and will take a week off.
Matt Fitzpatrick (-10/T4th): Just one bogey for Matt in 36 holes. A fine birdie three on his final hole, the 18th. Matt is due a win soon, he has played some very good golf both in Europe and in the US. Maybe it will be this week?
Branden Grace (-2/T62nd): Branden is having a demanding season with so much travel. Making the cut on the mark will do him no harm ready for next week.
Padraig Harrington (-7/T11th): Ryder Cup captain Harrington is continuing his fine form. He has dropped just two shots in 36 holes and he is looking good on the range and seems happy where he is with his golf game.
Jazz Janewattananond (+4/T136th): Jazz was average this week, but is in The Open next week, so he is energized about the next nine days.
Graeme McDowell (+3/T130th): Graeme misses the cut and will take eight week’s off to have an operation on his right forearm and hopefully returns to the Tour for the PGA Championship at Wentworth in early September. Recover soon Graeme.
Rory McIlroy (-1/T92nd): The cut fell at two-under with 87 players playing over the weekend and with Rory having seven bogeys this is not the Rory we know. He played better on Friday but his putting let him down. I have just had two hours on the range with Rory. Putting stuff into perspective Rory has only been with me for three-and-a-half months which is nothing for any relationship, whether personal or professional. Rory is still trying to understand his strengths and weaknesses, especially when not playing his ‘A’ game. When Rory is playing well, he is free flowing and plays with momentum and emotion. Perhaps he is thinking too much at the moment. I am looking forward to catching up with Rory at St Georges on Sunday.
Victor Perez (-5/T23rd): Victor is finding good form at the right time. He is very much focused on the Ryder Cup, he is not far off an automatic spot. It is on Victor’s ‘Bucket List.’
Thomas Pieters (-2/T62nd): As I keep saying every week, another steady round from Thomas with a stumble on the back nine with a 38. There is so more to come from Thomas. He just has to hole a few more putts and then we will see him in the mix right up at the top of the leaderboards.
Ian Poulter (-8/T7th): The 45-year-old carded four birdies and just a sole bogey on hole 18. Good play from the DP World Ambassador.
Henrik Stenson (+1/T115th): Henrik is not finding his game. Perhaps next week’s Open will get his juices flowing. We all hope so.
Danny Willett (+5/T141st): It is obvious that Danny is still feeling the side effects of his operation. To play golf at the highest level these days, players need to be near their 100% fitness levels. Danny will be back to his best soon.
Nice to see Emirates Airline supporting another European Tour event.
The leaders are at -11 with Jon Rahm, Thomas Detry and former MENA Tour player Jack Senior.
It will be nice to see some wind tomorrow, a real test for all the players and more preparation for next week at Royal St Georges. However, the forecast says no.
