The Castle Stuart course looks very interesting in terms of being a classic scottish links course.
Very undulating and lots of random sand areas as well as specific bunkers.

I can see most of the americans struggling on this course and the winner / top 5 may come from a group of links specialists.

Looking for Scottish and Irish players on form along with the inventive English and European players?

A colleague of mine played in a pro-am at castle stuart last wednesday. Said there was hardly any rough, greens were amazing and a great course but could see a -18, -20 score winning. He plays off 3 so has more of a clue than some. Will wait and see.

I'd agree with that last post. Played it a couple of years ago and again last year. It's a course that's still growing. Despite the crappy weather we're having up here in Inverness it should be low scoring. Forecast for the next few days overcast, will be windy by the firth too.
Going to the Sunday so hopefully the weather has cleared by then.

Well the -18 to -20 score is looking like a good call.

Also, although there are several headline low scores there are also to inevitable very large scores by some players on specific holes.

Ignacio GARRIDO (10 on the 12th and still ended up level par for the round - gotta say well played)
Brandt SNEDEKER (9 on the 2nd - When everyone else is hitting birdies and eagles - Welcome to Scotland and Links golf Brandt)
Pablo LARRAZÁBAL (4 bogeys and 2 double B's - Nighmare round)

Scottish open

Friday morning groups - Holes 3, 4 and 5 seems to be causing the most problems.

Might change this afternoon if the weather has an effect as it was a bit rainy and breezy this morning but forecast to be dry, light wind and sunny internals this afternoon so I think the afternoon starters are going to have the best of it.

-4 looking the cut unless the windblows - Mickleson safely through if so . Rounds in the mid late 60's needed from those afternoon starters.

Horses for courses - Harrington and Rose moving up and Paul Lawrie in the hunt.

Impressive from Kuchar - he is quality wherever he seems to play

Massive scores on OFL this week if Stricker & Day climb the ranks with cheapos hiteford and Jamieson also flying high.

Only really Jobe not flying of the giveaways and there is always round 2

Well, I am located in West Yorkshire and we have had squally showers (some heavy) all morning and early afternoon with the wind heading in a north easterly direction (towards Inverness).

If it hit's during the late afternoon it could make life a little more difficult for the ones still out on the course.

Lee Westwood hasn't started off great +1 after 4 so maybe those storms starting to come in.
E Molinari slipping down +2 after 4.
Hoping it's Luke Donald's day.

How about setting up your team for the week............and then somehow having them show on the bench (ie didnt move them to the playing status!!!!)

Sums up the season

got the following live this week

WESTWOOD
MCDOWELL
KUCHAR
DE JONGE
PAUL LAWRIE
WHITEFORD
COETZEE
COUCH
LEISHMAN

Somehow managed not to set the team up in spite going into it on numerous occasions - can only think that with the reverse and reserve buttons next to each other I have have not set my reserve up and reverted the team back

Needless to say I have only the following 4 playing LOL

WHITEFORD
COETZEE
COUCH
LEISHMAN

if Im this bad at sorting afantasy golf team out at the moment then what state is my proper work

Scottish Open has been reduced to 3 rounds - finishing second today, and the final tomorrow.

Looking out of my window in Inverness it's still raining heavily but the sky over Castle Stewart way seems to be brightening up. Hopefully the the course will drain quickly.
There has been a hell of a lot of rain overnight and this afternoon - unreal, bloody shame.

From a purely selfish point of view I hope Scottish Open is cancelled as I have Stricker and no-one else in running.

No overnight rain, cloudy but dry this morning

10 years ago this threeball would have been followed by half of the crowd - Westwood, Clarke and Monty.