[Emile Bonfiglio]

Instead of playing Olympic practice rounds the week prior to the US Open he is playing at Bandon Dunes. I hope he wins for that fact alone!

http://twitter.com/geoffogilvy/status/210763799895097344

[Stephen Davis]

That makes me like him that much more! One of my first trips to Bandon I asked the people there if they see pros very often, they told me that they rarely if ever see pros. I was surprised by this, but that just shows my naivete.

[George Pazin]

This is one of those situations where your view will be pre-determined by your view of Geoff.

One view:

Wow, what a cool guy, must love golf to be exploring Bandon when the US Open is at Olympic next week.

Opposing view:

Wow, I guess he doesn't much care about winning, he could be learning about Olympic and he could play Bandon anytime.


Haven't quite decided which view is mine... as with most of the undecided's, I will await the outcome of the US Open...

[Will Lozier]

That makes me like him that much more! One of my first trips to Bandon I asked the people there if they see pros very often, they told me that they rarely if ever see pros. I was surprised by this, but that just shows my naivete.

Stephen,

You are not naive.  In my 5 months caddying at BD, it was very rare to hear of or see touring pros.  This was when Old Mac had only 10 holes open but I doubt that it has changed.  Props to Ogilvy!  I'll bet he is having a blast and I'd love to know what he shoots!

Cheers

[Mike Benham]

From a relative point of view, there isn't much to learn about Olympic, the winner will be the one who executes the best.

[David_Tepper]

Emile B. -

While I admire Geoff Ogilvy's enthusiasm for links golf, I wouldn't make too big a deal of this. There are 3 days of practice rounds at Olympic next Mon-Tues-Wed. I doubt there are very many pros at all practicing at Olympic today thru the coming weekend.  

DT

[George Pazin]

From a relative point of view, there isn't much to learn about Olympic, the winner will be the one who executes the best.

You don't think a couple rounds might yield something that would net a stroke or two?

As an aside, I'm always amazed at the minute differences that win events. Think about it - how many tourneys are determined by 1 stroke (or less, in the case of a playoff), over 72 holes? That's mathematically kinda weird, really.

[Will MacEwen]

From a relative point of view, there isn't much to learn about Olympic, the winner will be the one who executes the best.

You don't think a couple rounds might yield something that would net a stroke or two?

As an aside, I'm always amazed at the minute differences that win events. Think about it - how many tourneys are determined by 1 stroke (or less, in the case of a playoff), over 72 holes? That's mathematically kinda weird, really.

I'm sure he will show up for practice on Sunday or Monday.  These guys can pick things up in a few rounds, and I think the US Open conditions may negate some of the need for lots of practice reps.  Hit the narrow fairway or you are screwed gets you most of the way for 14 holes.

[Michael Tamburrini]

From a relative point of view, there isn't much to learn about Olympic, the winner will be the one who executes the best.

You don't think a couple rounds might yield something that would net a stroke or two?

As an aside, I'm always amazed at the minute differences that win events. Think about it - how many tourneys are determined by 1 stroke (or less, in the case of a playoff), over 72 holes? That's mathematically kinda weird, really.

I'm sure he will show up for practice on Sunday or Monday.  These guys can pick things up in a few rounds, and I think the US Open conditions may negate some of the need for lots of practice reps.  Hit the narrow fairway or you are screwed gets you most of the way for 14 holes.

Still Hogan and Nicklaus spent most of the week prior preparing and learning the course. Hogan, in particular, learned every detail possible (his extrusive preparation rendering yardage charts useless as he already knew every detail).

On an unrelated note... 9th tee starts? I get irritated enough when there is a normal two tee start without it being from the 9th. Grrrrr.

[Scott Warren]

That makes two Aussie pros spending this week at Bandon before heading south for the US Open at Olympic.

The other being GCAer Dustin Knight.

He will, however, be outside the ropes in San Francisco.

[Tom_Doak]

I tried to check the link before realizing that, me being in China, a link to Twitter doesn't work on the internet here.    Twitter is impossible to censor except by blocking it completely.

I hope that Geoff has a fun time.  I suspect he is traveling with Michael Clayton who I know was coming over for the U.S. Open, too; they are going to play at SFGC as well.  But, I do wonder whether the wind and firm conditions in Bandon will in any way be good preparation for what he'll see at Olympic next week.  Perhaps the real advantage of going to Bandon is that Geoff will be one of the few guys in the field who's had fun at golf anytime lately, and that might help him get through the grind of the tournament itself.

[Matt MacIver]

The person with the best game in any given week might be the person with the clearest head and most relaxed - in which case I bet Geoff wins by more than Rory did last year!

[Tom Jefferson]

An unusually moist spring that continues into Olgivy's first round this AM has rendered the conditions here, while of course retaining some F&F, relatively soft, benign.  No breeze today and a misty morning equal no fire for his play.
My understanding is that he is here for three days....into Sat AM at least.  Plenty of time to dial it in at Olympic.
His group sure looked relaxed at Bandon.....no worries, mate.
Tom

[Neil_Crafter]

I tried to check the link before realizing that, me being in China, a link to Twitter doesn't work on the internet here.    Twitter is impossible to censor except by blocking it completely.

I hope that Geoff has a fun time.  I suspect he is traveling with Michael Clayton who I know was coming over for the U.S. Open, too; they are going to play at SFGC as well.  But, I do wonder whether the wind and firm conditions in Bandon will in any way be good preparation for what he'll see at Olympic next week.  Perhaps the real advantage of going to Bandon is that Geoff will be one of the few guys in the field who's had fun at golf anytime lately, and that might help him get through the grind of the tournament itself.

Clayts was in Melbourne Wednesday afternoon for our SAGCA meeting so he would have to get his skates on to get to Bandon before Olympic.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Well good gca type but a bit stupid to win an US Open at Olympic. The courses could not be more different.

[Luke Eipper]

I think one of the benefits of Geoffrey playing BD rather than Olympic is that he will be able to get away from the hype.

I think there is a lot to be said for improving your performance by avoiding pre-game/event hype. The last thing a competitor needs is to add unnecassary and self-inflicted pressure. BD will keep likely mean he is fresh mentally by having fun.

Also as previously stated, he has next week to get a little more familiar with the greens and hone his game for Olympic.

[Emile Bonfiglio]

So in Round 1 of the Bandon Experience Ogilvy gives the nod to Pac Dunes over Bandon Dunes.

Per Twitter "Both courses today were great but I think PD was my favourite. Old Mac in the morning"

[Joel_Stewart]

I have it on pretty good authority he's in a group at Bandon with Adam Scott.  Mike Clayton is not coming to the US.

It's my understanding he will take Sunday off and play Olympic on Monday and Wednesday.

I notice he's paired with 2 other Open winners in the first 2 rounds, Els and Cabrerra.

[Alex Miller]

I hope he does play Old Mac AND Bandon Trails. Maybe just Old Mac and practice tomorrow and Trails on Saturday morning before flying out. Can't wait to hear his opinions.

[Mike_Clayton]

It's a longish story - but I am not now going to The Open - Pity but a comment on the state of the newspaper business down here.
It sound like its perhaps better practice for The Open - and I am sure Geoff is having fun playing up there.

[Scott Warren]

Mike,

Knowing what's going on currently at both News and Fairfax, that doesn't surprise me.

Sorry to hear it.

[Joel_Stewart]

Geoff writes an interesting column in this week's Golf World.

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2012-06/gwar-geoff-ogilvy-final-say-0611

[David Ober]

Good luck going from the relatively slow greens of Bandon (so I've heard), to the lightning quick US Open greens at Olympic, Geoff!!! 

This is one of those situations where your view will be pre-determined by your view of Geoff.

One view:

Wow, what a cool guy, must love golf to be exploring Bandon when the US Open is at Olympic next week.

Opposing view:

Wow, I guess he doesn't much care about winning, he could be learning about Olympic and he could play Bandon anytime.


Haven't quite decided which view is mine... as with most of the undecided's, I will await the outcome of the US Open...

[Matthew Petersen]

Well good gca type but a bit stupid to win an US Open at Olympic. The courses could not be more different.

Same can be said for every guy playing in Memphis this week. TPC Southwind surely has no more in common with Olympic than anything at Bandon.

[Martin Toal]

I think Ogilvy comes across as a likeable, knowledgeable guy who has grown into a mature and cultured player, having started out as something a bit more brash and fiery. Great that he is visiting Bandon rather than spending time with his shrink or doing corporate days with his sponsors. 

But that moustache is a big mistake. See also Johnson Wagner.

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