What New Golfers Can Learn From Watching Senior Tour Golf

What Can New Golfers Learn From Watching Senior Tour Golf? (image: NY Times)

 

This past week, the 2021 Senior Open was played at Sunningdale Old Course in England. I was lucky enough to catch the last round on TV, even through a hectic Olympics schedule. I don't typically watch Senior tour events, but I am glad I watched this one. It was a great display of golf, as Welshman Stephen Dodd, fought off attacks from the likes of golfing legends Miguel Angel Jimenez, Darren Clarke and Bernhard Langer, to win his first major. Even sweeter perhaps is that Dodd is now eligible for PGA Tour Champions events.

 

For those that do not know, the PGA Tour Champions and its European counterpart, the European Senior Tour, are senior professional tours featuring older golfers. Typically these are players that have found success on either the PGA Tour or European Tour, but want to continue their careers in a less-stressed fashion. There are fewer events on senior tours and the ones played are only three rounds in length, except for majors. 

 

As I watched the final round of the Senior Open, I started thinking a bit more about senior golf and the players in general. I realized that average golfers, especially those new to the game, can learn a great deal about golf by watching senior tour events, even more so than regular PGA Tour events, in my opinion. 

 

 

So what exactly do I think can be learned? Well, I think it can be boiled down to two things: how to approach the game mentally and learning through experience

 

 

1) How to approach the game mentally

Let's face it, most of us golfers do not have aspirations to play professional golf. We play because we enjoy the game and enjoy playing it with others. Now that isn't to say that we don't want to get better; we all do. We all want to hit that perfect iron shot or sink that clutch putt. One way players can improve their game is to examine how they approach it from a mental aspect. 

Here is where watching senior golf comes into play. From the events that I've seen, there is a more relaxed and calm atmosphere that seems to be present at these events. We see senior players having a good time while playing their rounds, talking to their playing partners, the fans, etc. It just feels more relaxed than when you compare it to a normal PGA Tour event. And it's for good reason. To be fair, most of the senior players have already had successful careers and may not necessarily have the same worries as a standard PGA tour player, such as trying to make a name for themselves or breaking through to win, etc.

This is the correct mindset us players should have towards the game, in my opinion. We shouldn't beat ourselves up over a bad shot, or let negative thoughts about a previous shot influence the next. I think any golfer, but new golfers in particular, can look to these senior players as an example of how to implement this correct mindset, in a tried and tested manner.

2) Learning through experience

The motto of the PGA Tour Champions is "Where Legends Play". This pretty much sums up the golfers that play on the senior tours. We're seeing experienced veterans, giants of the game, playing these events, outright legends in some cases. These are golfers who have been a part of professional golf for a long time and know how to play the game the right way. It's analogous to a master artisan, who has perfected their craft over time.

And who better to learn from than the masters themselves. What average players can learn from these veterans are things like shot-selection, game-plans for hole shapes/styles, how to recover when you find trouble, and overall golfing knowledge. Sure, the players are older, their swings are more restricted and they don't bomb it like the regular tour pros. But the vast wealth of knowledge that they possess is invaluable to learn from. Imagine being able to pick the mind of some of golf's greatest players. This is a pipe dream for most of us, but the closest we can get right now is watching senior golf in action. 

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Bernhard Langer is a perfect example of someone who newer golfers can learn from; the poster boy for senior tour golf, hands down. I love watching Langer golf, because to me at least, he appears to be having a genuinely good time while playing, regardless of if he's playing well or not. He's no stranger to winning, having won 42 times on the European Tour, twice at the Masters and 42 times on the PGA Tour Champions. And he brings all that experience to the table every time he plays. It really is something special and Langer is just one of dozens of senior players with similar pedigree. 

 

If you're still not convinced at what you're getting when you watch a senior tour event and the influence it can have on you, give it a try. You may be surprised at what you see.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

What Can New Golfers Learn From Watching Senior Tour Golf? (image: NY Times)

Morikawa's Virtuoso Performance Seals Deal at Royal St. Georges

It was a final round filled with much drama and action. But at the end of it all, Collin Morikawa has emerged victorious, claiming the Claret Jug at the 149th Open Championship at Royal St. Georges Golf Club. The California-native finished with a final score of 15-under par and a two shot win over Jordan Spieth. This is Morikawa's second major win, his first being the 2020 PGA Championship. He also makes history as the first golfer to win two majors in his first appearances at them and the first golfer since Bobby Jones in 1926 to win two majors in eight starts.

 

Morikawa's round began today a single stroke back of Louis Oosthuizen, his final round playing partner. The two exchanged pars until the fourth hole, when Oosthuizen bogeyed to even up them up. However, on the 7th hole, the momentum swung in Morikawa's favour.

 

The par 5 572 yard 7th hole played as the easiest hole on the course in the first three rounds, however Oosthuizen landed his second shot into a greenside bunker, with Morikawa in a safe position near the green. Louis was left with a relatively easy bunker shot and had some green to work with. But, in one of the few errors he made all week, Louis caught the ball thin and sent it flying over the green into the opposite bunker. Some good putting later and Louis escaped with only a bogey, but Morikawa on the other hand, had birdied for a two-shot swing. Two more birdies on the eighth and ninth holes and Collin found himself with a four shot lead at the turn.

 

As impressive as Morikawa's attacking mindset was, his ability to scramble is what ultimately won him the tournament, in my opinion. In our Open Championship preview, we spoke about how the toughness of links golf can overwhelm younger players and that experienced players typically win the Open. Collin Morikawa had never played in an Open Championship before. While indeed a younger player at 24 years old, Collin Morikawa played his final round today with so much poise, calmness and experience that you simply could not tell that this was his first time playing an Open Championship. It was unlike anything I've seen before and such a remarkable feat. His character was especially tested on holes 10 and 15, where he sank two tough putts to save par, after poor iron shots prior. 

In the months since his 2020 PGA Championship win, critiques of Morikawa have cited the lack of crowds at said tournament as the reason why he won (recall that the 2020 PGA Championship was played under COVID-19 protocols). His win this week has proved that he can win under any circumstances. It's no easy feat to play the way Collin played, to have the courage to attack the course with so much on the line or the mindset to make clutch par saves. 

 

And he did this all while having to adapt to a new style of golf course. Morikawa admitted prior that he was unfamiliar with links golf. He ultimately decided to play the Scottish Open one week earlier and said that he would not have been able to win this week if he hadn't done so. Morikawa embraced links golf and respected the style of play that it lends itself to, whether its using the slopes to his advantage or hitting different kinds of shots. And he was aware of that, as he mentioned in his post-round interview:

“To come here on debut and win it… The Open Championship is going to be part of my life for the rest of my life no matter what happens." 

-Colin Morikawa after his 2021 Open Championship win

 

When you look at all these factors at the same time, one can easily see why Colin Morikawa's Open Championship win is one of the most impressive major performances in recent years. 

***

Despite a promising forecast of high winds, we saw a benign version of Royal St. Georges over the weekend. In fact, the final round scoring average was the lowest in Open Championship history. Many players took advantage of these conditions including the likes of Brooks Koepka, Bryson de Chambeau and Rickie Fowler, who all rallied to shoot 65s, the low round of the day. While the conditions did take away some of the excitement from the tournament, players still had to contend with the difficult bunkers and slopes of Royal St. Georges.

We also saw a good Canadian feature on the weekend between Mackenzie Hughes (T6) and Corey Connors (T15). Both Hughes and Connors played so well that they even featured in the TV coverage; something not seen too often. They showed this week that they can play good golf on some of the toughest courses, in some of the toughest tournaments. It's safe to say that Canadian golf is in a good place!

 

On a final note, let's take a look at how our picks finished the tournament:

 

1) Louis Oosthuizen: T3 at 11-under
2) Paul Casey: T15 at 5-under
3) Ian Poulter: T26 at 3-under

 

You have to feel bad for Louis, who despite a great effort and some genuinely excellent golf at times, could not get it done this week. During his final round, he struggled with his putting and his iron accuracy, which had been spot on all week. His did show signs of life though, nearly carding a hole-in-one on the par 3 11th hole, which played a staggering 256 yards today and was the toughest hole all week. He also has several attempts at birdies throughout. But seeing the kind of player Louis is, and the commitment he shows to his game, he will be back. And on the plus side, it's still a T3 finish at a major!

Casey and Poulter also had respectable finishes, with Casey carding a 70 and Poulter a 68 for their final rounds. These two are really some of my favourite golfers to watch and its great to see their games in such a good place. Who said professional golf is a young person's profession?

And just like that another Open Championship has come to a close. After all the waiting for this tournament, I can safely say with confidence that this was one of the better editions of the tournaments, especially from a spectator's perspective. It was a real treat to watch Morikawa at work and the confidence and clutchness he brought. A well deserved win, without question.

Next year, the Open Championship returns home to St. Andrews for its 150th anniversary. Who knows what drama that will bring!

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Collin Morikawa wins the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St. Georges (image: Peter Morrison/AP)

 

Oosthuizen Surges Into the Weekend at Royal St. Georges

 

Momentum. Momentum. Momentum.

That's what Louis Oosthuizen has been riding for what seems like the entire year. The South African and 2010 Open Champion currently leads the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St. Georges Golf Club with an impressive score of 11-under par (64,65) and a one-shot lead over Collin Morikawa. In fact, Oosthuizen's score is more than impressive, it's record-breaking. His total of 129 is the lowest 36-hole score ever recorded at an Open Championship.

 

Going into the tournament, Oosthuizen was a favourite amongst many, including us here at TGR. His string of major performances this year, including top-2 finishes at both the US Open and PGA Championship, led many to think that his time has finally come for another major win.

And he is certainly on his way to doing so. After a bogey-free opening round of 64, Oosthuizen followed up with a 5-under 65 today, in a round that included a bogey at the par 3 16th hole and an eagle at the par 5, 14th hole. His putting was solid and driving was very accurate, particularly during his second round; attributes that will reward you especially on a links course.

Royal St. Georges played uncharacteristically benign during the first two rounds. Today's round in particular featured lower winds speeds and slightly slower greens. Oosthuizen was not the only player taking advantage of these conditions. The low score of the day was a 6-under par, shot by Collin Morikawa, Emiliano Grillo and Jon Rahm. The cut has also been set at 1-over par. Conditions are forecasted to worsen on the weekend however, with wind speeds predicted to be in the 15-30 mph range. This will make for some interesting rounds of golf. 

Finally, we mentioned that Oosthuizen was our top pick this week, but let's see how the rest of our picks are doing so far:

 

1) Louis Oosthuizen: Leader at 11-under
2) Paul Casey: T7 at 5-under
3) Ian Poulter: T31 at 2-under

Not bad at all. Casey is also continuing his streak of great golf and was able to make moves when he needed to, including a nice string of birdies on the 7th, 8th and 9th holes during his second round today. Given the weather forecast and uncertainty over the weekend, he is definitely still in contention. Poulter opened with a 72 on Thursday but followed it up with an aggressive 4-under 66 today. He also had a birdie steak on holes 7-9 and has shown he can score low at Royal St. Georges. He will be looking to make a big move on Saturday to put himself in a good spot for the final round. 

Two rounds down at the 2021 Open Championship, but things are only getting started. The weekend rounds are always filled with tension and excitement. 

Stay tuned for our next post on Sunday/Monday to see who has won,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Louis Oosthuizen leads the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St. Georges (Image: Boston Globe)

2021 Open Championship Picks

We are just one day away from the start of the much-awaited 2021 Open Championship. This year, Royal St. Georges Golf Club in Kent, England plays hosts, a tough links course that will no doubt test the skills and limits of players. 

 

As we look over the list of players in the field this week in an attempt to make a few picks, one thing has become apparent. The Open Championship is typically won by experienced players, who have been around for a bit. You would probably have to go back to Louis Oosthuizen's win at St. Andrews back in 2010 for the last "relatively inexperienced" player (at the time) to win in. 

Why does this appear to be the case though? As I eluded to in my Open Championship article, links golf is tough. It requires players to do so much more that just swing the clubs. That, plus all the pressure of being a major tournament, can perhaps overwhelm many rookie players. It's a battle, and from the looks of it, takes a bit of experience and time on tour to overcome.

 

With that said, here are our picks for the 2021 Open Championship:

1) Louis Oosthuizen
2) Paul Casey
3) Ian Poulter

 

I really do think that Louis can get it done this week. The wave of momentum, and second place major finishes, that he's had recently can't be overlooked. It doesn't hurt either that he's won it before. In a similar position is Paul Casey, who is also familiar with links courses and has played well in majors past too. Is this finally the week that Casey gets his first major win? Let's hope so. Finally, rounding out our picks is Ian Poulter. Poults' career has really been trending in the right direction these past few years after being injury-plagued earlier. He finished T4 at the Scottish Open last week, maybe he can go the way of Phil Mickelson back in 2013 and take the Claret Jug this week? What an achievement that would be for him; a jewel on top of an already stellar career.

We'll be checking in midway to see how the tournament is progressing and how out picks are doing. Stay tuned!

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

 

Can Louis Oosthuizen reclaim the Claret Jug this week at Royal St. Georges? (Image: Boston Globe)

The Open Championship - A Major Like No Other

After what has seemed like an eternity of time, the Open Championship returns this week. This year, Royal St. Georges Golf Club plays host, the site of much history throughout its life, most recently the scene of Darren Clarke's inspiring win back in 2011.

In the days leading up to the tournament, I am reminded once again why this is such a unique major, perhaps the most out of the bunch. The history, the battle, the rawness of the Open Championship, all played out over four days of unpredictability. 

But, in the age of long-bombing tour pros and AI-designed golf clubs, some struggle to understand this tournament and what it truly has to offer, both player and spectator alike.

The Open Championship is golf in its rawest but purest form, a return to the roots of the game. For one week, players and spectators are reminded of the golf of days past. The history that comes along with this tournament is well documented and vast. Nearly all of golf's giants have won this tournament and those who haven't have yearned to do so. Its as if walking through a living museum; whether it's watching players cross over Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews or walk across the weather-barraged fairways of Carnoustie, we are reminded of those that came before us. If those fairways could talk, imagine the stories they could tell. This brings, I believe, a level of respect to the tournament that is unmatched by others; this is not something that is fabricated for player or spectator enjoyment, rather something much more innate. I like to think of it as how our golfing ancestors would have envisioned golf tournaments looking like in the future.

 

A traditional links course is always the setting for an Open Championship, where players are expected to battle both the course and the elements surrounding it; a stark contrast to the well-manicured, sometimes benign, parkland courses typically seen in a standard PGA Tour rotation. One does not play "at" a links course, but "on" a links course, for many links courses are simply as nature designed them; shaped over thousands of years by sea and wind alike. It is this connection to nature, in both design and influence, that requires a completely different set of golfing skills, which so few players possess. Calculations and metrics fade as feel takes over when playing a links course.

The build-up to an Open Championship is something special. Excitement and apprehensiveness churn even before the players tee off. We ask ourselves, what will the weather bring, how will the players react to it, who will falter first? This uncertainty is what makes the Open Championship so unique and such a test of skill. Players are forced out of their comfort zones, forced to adapt, forced to change their styles, a respectful salute to the origins of the game. It truly is the ultimate test of a player, a battle between golfer and nature, one that is on full display for public eyes. And when things do go wrong, there is no hiding on the tree-stripped, nature-sculpted, undulating mounds of a links course, as many can attest to. There is a sense of vulnerability seen in players, which I believe is something that the average golfer can relate to. From Jean van de Velde in 1999 to Adam Scott in 2012, some of golf's worst collapses have been seen at the Open Championship.

  

On a more personal note, as someone from the opposite side of the Atlantic looking at the tournament, I often get the feeling that the community, the host town as it is in most cases, embrace the Open Championship and are proud of it, proud to be hosting and proud to be displaying it to the world. The sense of community and collectiveness is much stronger at the Open Championship that any other tournament I've seen. Its hard to describe it exactly, but the entire vibe of the tournament just feels different. And given the state of the world over the past year and a half, this is something that feels good, it feels right.

So as we go into this what will be the 149th playing of the Open Championship, I encourage all those who watch golf to study this tournament and allow yourself to become immersed in it. Look at the unique features that Royal St. Georges has to offer, from its deep bunkers to its rolling hills. Pay attention to little things, like how the winds change from hole to hole, hour to hour, how the players adjust their shot style or use the features of the course, or how dependent a players score can be when their tee time is. I can guarantee that you will be rewarded and experience something you have never seen before at a golf tournament.

This is the beauty of the Open Championship.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Royal St. Georges Golf Club plays host to the 149th Open Championship this week (image: RSGGC)