Well, it’s been five days since the British Open ended and two since I returned from Scotland. The good news is that I finally adjusted to the time difference on my second to last night there. The bad news is that it was my second to last night and now I’m not sure what time zone I’m functioning on. And I’m heading to my hometown, Seattle, next week for the US Senior Men’s Open, so I’m prepared to be even more confused.
Anyhow, I’m experiencing British Open at St. Andrews withdrawals already. In case you weren’t sure, I had an absolutely amazing experience covering the tournament — one unlike any other! As I was browsing through the hundreds of pictures I took, I thought you guys would like to see some of them.
So, here we go. This first set was taken when I first arrived to St. Andrews on Monday. I took this picture as I was walking from my B&B, which was approximately a par 5-length away, to the Old Course. The location of the media center to the first tee/18th green to the pubs to the Vardon House (where I stayed) couldn’t have been more convenient.
The view walking down the street to the golf course
The view as I got closer to the Old Course
The British Museum was right across the street from the 1st tee/18th hole of the Old Course
A player practices chipping on the 18th green while spectactors watch from the road.
Rusacks Hotel
The Old Course Hotel and the Road Hole
Ian Poulter practicing at the driving range on Monday
Another shot of the Old Course Hotel and the Road Hole
Jigger Inn, next door to the Old Course Hotel, where Chubby Chandler and his cronies took over for the week
Mark Hensby stops to sign autographs for fans in the 17th fairway
View of the 17th green from the fairway
Ryan Moore practices from the Road Hole Bunker
The 18th hole and the famous Swilcan Bridge from the teebox
The media centre on Monday evening, which is empty because most people are playing golf
Here are pictures from the practice round I walked with Tim Clark, Jason Day and Michael Sim — which I wrote about here.
The Burn on the first hole
Jason Day bombs a drive on the third hole
Michael Sim hits a pretty tee shot on the third hole
Zach Johnson, playing with Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney, lines up his tee shot on the fourth hole
A boulder on the fourth hole is covered in turf...for some reason
Jason Day consults with his caddie and local guide on the approach shot into the fourth hole
Playing the 14th hole, KJ Choi hit his second shot to the 5th fairway on purpose and walks back to the 14th
Sergio Garcia tees off on the Road Hole
This is the scene right after we hopped the wall to the cemetery. Creepy, huh?
A scene from the late night excursion to the cemetery to visit Tom Morris' family
A view of the 18th hole during the final round from next to the green on the Road Hole
View of the 18th hole and Swilcan Bridge with the R&A Clubhouse in the background from next to the 17th green
Now, scenes from around town the day after the tournament.
Old Tom Morris Golf Shop, which is parallel to the 18th hole
Dunvegan's post-tournament message
The outside of Dunvegan Hotel and the adjacent buildings -- at night bar patrons overflowed onto the sidewalk. No, there was no open container law.
Well, that’s it for now. Hope you enjoyed them! I have some more pretty pictures from the Castle Course that I’ll post tomorrow.
