It was a rare caddie mistake and recent policy changes in the first round of the Open Championship held at Royal Prothush in Northern Ireland on Thursday, which gave Tommy Fleetwood a “bad” break.
Fleetwood was the most popular this week, opening three straight pars and opening with 4 and 4. Then he drove into a pot bunker about 20 yards from the green on the 4th 5 green. At that time, the broadcast caught up with Fleetwood and course journalist Jim “Bones” Mackay, who conveyed what he saw from the bunker.
“I’m not sure I’ve seen this in a professional golf game,” McKay said. “No matter who has played from this bunker before forgot to rake it, the caddie did it. Tommy now has a bad lie and was lucky enough to avoid the footprints that the last player did.”
Open Champion Policy Changes Bite Fleetwood
While such a mistake fell on the caddies of players in the bunkers, the timing is ironic and may explain why the guilty caddies make gaffe husbands.
For decades, R&A has been stationed with designated “bridge shooters” in every group in the Open Championship. These volunteers, most of whom are in charge of local golf courses, reduce the pace burden on players and help speed up the game.
However, this year’s R&D has gotten rid of this policy – like they’re elsewhere, Caddies have to rake their own bunkers.
“This is a change for us, but we think it is a good one,” said Mark Darbon, the new head of R&A, on Wednesday. He was asked to elaborate on details Whyhe said: “Many factors. We just think it’s a good example for us.”
fair enough.
This brought us to Thursday, Fleetwood’s second shot in the bunker. When he got to the ball, he was, ah…unhappy.
“For f, man,” said the usually mild Fleetwood, which was captured on the world feed broadcast. “F-!”
Judging from the content displayed on the broadcast, the lies were not actually seen also Not good, though Fleetwood’s position may be closer to the previously trampled area. Anyway, Fleetwood’s reaction, coupled with McKay’s comment, is one of the most respected caddies in the game and may also have people close to each other, which is probably all the evidence we need.
TNT Network
“It’s so nice to Tommy,” Paul McGinley said on the TNT radio. “I don’t know what the rules for R&A are, but surely Caddy will get a big fine on the DP World Tour.”
Fleetwood’s second shot hit the bunker in the lips and barely cleaned it up. From there, he cracked from the hole and had a par with 33 feet.
“After what he’s going through in this hole, you can’t help but take root for Tommy so you can take root here,” McKay said. “Just a bad break, the worst I’ve ever seen for him in a whole year.”
Fleetwood missed and cleaned up a 2-foot bogey for his second straight.
Although nothing was confirmed, Fleetwood was the last man in that bunker before the British amateur Sebastian Cave, who entered the bunker about two hours ago, according to Shotview on the public website.
“Obviously not done on purpose; it’s a mistake for the caddies,” McKinley said. “But it’s a very strong thing about the DP World Tour.”
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