Which of course is where he won the British Open in 1995. Almost drove the green at 18, putted up to the edge of the cup and tapped in for a closing birdie. Currently tied for 53rd, which would make the cut if it holds. Classic JD: 5 birdies, 6 bogeys, 7 pars. All over the place.
Cameron Smith leads by 3 at -7 right now, and has missed two short birdie putts on the last two holes. Rory McIlroy and Ernie Els are in the group tied for second at -4.
The course is playing very fast and a lot of par-4s are being driven because the ball just keeps rolling on the hard ground. Of course, if you hit it off line you can also roll into trouble real fast.
Els just hit his drive into the hotel on 17, which is probably exactly what I’ll do if I get to play the Old Course. He was tied for fourth at -4 until that little slice. (For those not familiar with the Old Course, the 17th wraps around the Old Course Hotel and the preferred line for the tee shot actually goes over hotel property; however, it’s very easy to lose it right and not reach the fairway beyond the hotel.)
The only water on the Old Course is Swilcan Burn, a creek that twists across the 1st and 18th fairways. Tiger just dumped his second shot on 1 into the burn. Also something I’m quite likely to do. Missed a short putt for bogey and wound up with a quick 6.
The wheels have fallen off the Tiger Express. He’s +6 so far through 8. With last place currently at +11, he’s in contention to bring up the tail end (bad Tiger joke). Zero birdies in that group.
JD currently T-72, tied with Brooks Koepka among others.