Tiger fist-pump...for the win?

The last twosome — Graeme McDowell and Adam Scott — has just teed off, but the atmosphere has been buzzing with anticipation here at Royal Lytham &St Annes since early this morning. It’s already been a hectic day with the usual excited nervous energy that comes along with the final round at a major championship. What’s more, look at the names on the leaderboard. We’ve got Adam Scott (and Stevie Williams), Graeme McDowell, Brandt Snedeker, Tiger Woods, Zach Johnson and Ernie Els in the final three groups.

As we’ve seen with all the dramatic finishes this season, NO LEAD IS SAFE.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RNyASs1vSs

Either massively ironic or downright appropriate, depending on your statistical perspective and faith in the Golfing Gods to manufacture cruel twists of Fate (see second paragraph), Tiger Woods brought his second round of this year’s Open Championship to a riotous conclusion on Friday evening, holing a pitch shot from a greenside bunker for a closing birdie and second successive 67. (continue reading…)

Adam Scott: patchy.

Adam Scott will begin the weekend at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s in uncharted territory, but you’re unlikely to hear the Australian complaining.

A mere shot adrift of overnight leader Brandt Snedeker and in turn three shots clear of the next best-placed challenger (more about him later), the 32-year-old enters Saturday’s third round perfectly placed to end his career-long wait for a major title. (continue reading…)

Snedeker's 36-hole total of 130 ties the tournament record of (Sir) Nick Faldo.

Tennessee native Brandt Snedeker confounded the draw to seize a commanding lead in the second round of the 141st Open Championship. (continue reading…)

Scene of a sell-out: Portrush's 18th during the Irish Open.

Buried amidst the mounting pre-tournament hysteria at Royal Lytham this week was news that Northern Ireland’s 61-year wait to host the Open Championship will continue for the forseeable future. (continue reading…)

Photo op! Jason Blue (16) poses with his autographed glove.

Lancashire teenager Jason Blue was standing in the rough lining Royal Lytham’s 15th fairway yesterday afternoon when he was struck in the head by a wayward tee shot.

The 16-year-old had been straining to catch a glimpse of Rory McIlroy at the time, little realising Fate had contrived a scenario under which he could meet the former US Open champion. (continue reading…)

Stingin' it.

Be warned: I’ve been nodding off since 9pm local and it’s past midnight now, so I’m beyond delirious. There’s a good chance I might literally fall asleep on my keyboard, but I wanted to at least post a reader’s digest version of “Balls in the Air” and name some of my picks.

The forecast for Wednesday called for torrential showers. In fact, it was supposed to be the worst weather day of the week. Well, this is how things go at The Open — instead, the clouds cleared and the sun came out turning it into a beautiful afternoon.

A lot of players had finished their “work” and preparation for the week yesterday because of the weather forecast. Shortly after the skies cleared, the practice areas filled up with guys cramming in some extra reps or playing a few holes to test out the course conditions (links are sand-based and drain well, except for the bunkers here at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, apparently. (continue reading…)

Looks easy, right?

The Guardian has assembled an interactive guide to the five holes comprising arguably the most difficult closing stretch on the Open Championship rota.

Well worth your attention, it pairs snazzy graphics with the insight of several illustrious (and not so illustrious) competitors, Graeme McDowell, Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk among them.

Conor Nagle

David Duval: press conference confessional.

As the last player to win an Open Championship held at Royal Lytham, former world No1 David Duval has assumed the role of unofficial defending champion in Lancashire this week.

Now 40 (can you believe it?), he took to the press room this afternoon for a belated debrief and delivered nothing less than a virtuoso performance from the rostrum. Measured, philosophical and candid: it was less a Q&A than participatory lecture or work of performance art. Like the The Vagina Monologues, but with golf clubs (don’t even question that analogy: it’s airtight). (continue reading…)

"Me, a favourite? Pah!"

Padraig Harrington arrives at his 16th Open Championship this week in the midst of a modest renaissance. The Dubliner recorded near-misses in each of the season’s opening major championships and has failed to break par only once in his last 12 competitive rounds. (continue reading…)