154TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The 154th Open Championship has come to a close at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport England. From donut bunkers, to the high stepping antics of the circus that is Bryson DeChambeau, to the hometown hero Tommy Fleetwood trying to capture his first major, to the Kiwi Ryan Fox that took it all, this major did not disappoint.
The leaderboard was tight and full of names we have grown to recognize as the elite group of golfers competing against one another, with S.W. Kim holding the lead until his final back nine. He used the dreaded c-word to describe his last few holes of the tournament. No, not see you next Tuesday, but something worse…choke.
Cam Young took advantage and came into the clubhouse on the final round posting a 64 to take the lead at -9. He would finish the afternoon on the practice green and driving range anticipating a playoff only to be sent home with a second place finish and the desire to win his first major.
Meanwhile LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau was able to avoid missing cuts in all 4 majors this year, putting himself in contention over the weekend. He powered drives like he normally does, out into the rough and was able to scrambled from there. The conditions proved to help him with this “strategy” as the normally challenging and wet fescue was dried out and stomped down in most areas.
However, on the fifth hole Bryson found himself looking for his ball in the rough and could be seen high stepping, as if he were celebrating a touchdown, in the area where his ball came to rest. Some golfers mentioned his maneuvers were quite odd and did seem to improve his backswing. Other golfers stated Bryson would never cheat the game of golf. Either way the R&A officials deemed Bryson had improved his lie, intentional or not, and assessed a 2 stroke penalty. After Bryson found out he pleaded his case to no avail and even threatened to not play in the final rounds as well as call President Trump for his involvement on the matter. He finished T14 at -4.
Golf needs talented unique players like Bryson DeChambeau. What it doesn’t need is the overly produced dramatics and immature behaviors he displays on the most prestigious of levels. Do it for the game Bryson, not for the likes.
Back to the reason for this take on The Open Championship, the winner Ryan Fox! The man with a rugby background as his father is an all time superstar in the sport, was able to win his first major and take home the coveted Claret Jug (which has probably seen more red wine poured in it now than a restaurant decanter).
Fox, who plays as fast as one, kept in the mix posting scores of 72, 68, 62 to tie a major record, and 68. He came to the final hole knowing a par would send him to a playoff and a birdie would win it. After a quick chat with his caddie, again the man does it all on the course with efficiency, the decision was made “to go and win this thing.” Fox crushed a drive to the middle of the fairway and dropped a dart with his approach.
Sam Burns, who had a 2 stroke lead at one point, missed a birdie putt on 18, made his par and it was Fox’s turn to bring it home. He took 22 seconds, followed his exact same pre putt routine, and drained a birdie to win, one stroke ahead of Cam Young at -10. The mentality and strategy Fox and his caddie used to win the final hole is beyond impressive. He would later state he would rather go for the win even if it meant bogeying and losing the tournament than trying for par and sending it to a playoff.
Kudos and thank you Ryan Fox for demonstrating what it means to be a champion. You inspire golfers young and old, not only with your style of golf but with the mentality and professionalism you display! USA will be on the lookout for you come the Presidents Cup this fall at Medinah Country Club. - Golf Thoughts from Matty the Caddie
126TH US OPEN
The 126th US Open is in the books and with it comes storylines as thick as the fescue present throughout the famed Shinnecock Hills. The historic course, situated within the Hamptons on Long Island which was once home to hundreds of duck farms (be sure to check out the Big Duck off Route 24 if you’re ever in the area), has hosted the US Open 6 times spanning back to 1896 with James Foulis winning the 36 hole tournament shooting 78 and 74.
In addition to the pesky thick grass known as fescue, winds presented an ongoing challenge for the Tour players and their caddies. Mother Nature ensured this variable was a large part of the equation in round 1 and made things even more difficult during the remainder of the tournament as winds changed directions making each hole play differently each day. Yardage for the course is listed as 7440 yards but can play much longer due to the coastal winds.
“Cashmere” Keith Mitchell took a page out of Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities” during round 1 and posted a 41 and 29 to reach par and could only be described as “the best of times and the worst of times.” He ended even for the tournament and placed T4 with the likes of Scottie Scheffler and JT Poston.
Miles Russell, a 17 year old amateur, had an amazing few weeks. He qualified with his friend Charlie Woods on the bag, made the cut at a PGA Major Championship, and then paid the greatest respect to his father who helped him make it all happen. Before his final round on June 21, 2026 Father’s Day, Miles reached out to PGA officials to ask a simple question…could he switch caddies for one hole during the tournament. The answer was yes and Miles made the move to surprise his Dad on the final hole of the tournament by asking him to carry his bag after hitting his tee shot. His caddie found his Dad behind the ropes and handed over the bib and the bag. He then quickly caught up to Miles, both smiling as they made their way down the fairway, Caddie and Player…Father and Son.
Finally congratulations to the winner, and now 2 time US Open Champion Wyndham Clark. Say what you will about his previous anger management issues, Oakmont C.C. outside of Philadelphia PA certainly does. They recently presented the winner of their Spring Tournament with a trophy made from the shattered pieces of the locker Mr. Clark destroyed at their facility. But with the help of his sports psychologist, close circle of coaches, and new Ping putter Wyndham has overcome setbacks and obstacles that had previously stood in his way. He had to battle fierce competition, rugged varying winds, a challenging track, a round suspension and extra holes the following day due to, and the emotions that come as a human performing on the grandest of stages.
He is only the 9th wire to wire US Open winner, threw down a 64, 69, 70, and 73 to go -4 and win by 1 stroke over Sam Burns, and saved pars with putts as long as 14’1”, 7’3”, and 6’9” with his new Scottsdale Tec AllyBlue Onset Putter. His actions and words in the past have brought haters to heckle him both inside and outside the ropes, but it is his most recent actions and words that are causing those who used to root against him to rethink who they are rooting for. Today redemption is spelt C-L-A-R-K.
Golf Thoughts from Matty the Caddie- Golf Thoughts from Matty the Caddie
