Golf Fashion at the Blustery British Open

As we swelter here in New England, wearing as little as possible on the links, the gentlemen over at Royal Birkdale are treating us to a fall fashion show, thanks to the wind, rain and chilly temperatures.

Like the winter runway shows that take place in early spring, or the back to school styles beginning to flood our malls, the wintery wardrobes on display over in Lancashire look ... quite refreshing. Isn't it amazing how quickly we tire of the very pastels and sunny brights that seem so seductive in March?

Of course we're all glued to the leaderboards... and following the live coverage... so we know about Gregg Norman's continuing comeback, Camillo Villegas's eight birdie round and Sergio Garcia's monster putt on number 4. Rocco Mediate is right up there too, making a lot of golf fans happy. But we're talking about fashion here. What are the latest looks... and which guys are making the style statements?

The Looks

Awesome Argyles - I know... there are some out there who hate Argyle, and I'll admit argyle abuse can be problematic, but the diagonal diamonds appearing at Royal Birkdale are awesome. Camillo added a dash down the left side of his sweater, Prayad Markaseng and Scott Verplank went classic and Singapore's Lam Chih-Bing wore unique his argyle across his arms.






















Black on Black - Black is the color of authority. It makes anyone look edgier...and thinner. It can also be somewhat overpowering and make the wearer seem aloof and evil. I guess that's a pretty good way to look when you're contesting the British Open. Defending champion Padraig Harrington, two time U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen and everyman golfer Rocco Mediate we three of many who wore this elegant look. John Daly did too, perhaps inspired by the thinness theory.












Cantaloupe is the New Pink - There are almost no pastels to be seen on the grounds of Royal Birkdale, but one did stand out. Pink's cousin cantaloupe was on the scene and looking quite stellar I might add. Notably, a certain female golfer known as the pink panther has been shifting towards melon tones lately. My favorite look of the tournament so far was the dreamy cantaloupe sweater worn by China's Wen-Chong Liang and of course one can always count on Johan Edfors to be on the cutting edge of a trend.








Beanies are Back - There are those players who'll never give up their visors and others who don't wear any kind of hat at all... ever. The woolen ski hat is not an easy look to pull off, but cool weather on the course always brings with it a band of brave beanie boys, as it did these last couple of days at the British Open. Jim Furyk Davis Love III, Justin Leonard and Adrian Dennis are four of those brave boys.






















Amazing Umbrellas - The rain and drizzle brought out some very impressive umbrella power and... I don't know what this says about me...but I love a fierce umbrella (ella, ella, eh, eh, eh - as Rihanna would add - but that's irrelevent here). Australian Andrew Tampion and Englishman Steve Webster take cover under some beautiful brellies.










I'm going to be updating my British Open Look Book throughout the weekend so check back here over the next couple of days, and (if I'm not playing golf myself on Sunday) I'll be live blogging The Open Championship final with other golf bloggers and fans on Twitter, follow me at Golf Girl.

All photos c/o Getty Images

Will Justin Rose Rise to the Occasion?

The occasion in question of course, is the Open Championship.

It'll be contested next week at Royal Birkdale and that's what makes it so significant for Justin Rose. As some golf fans may remember, exactly ten years ago Mr. Rose had a fairytale week on the fabled course in the north west of England.

He was just 17 that summer, and during the magical week he was embraced by the crowd and made to feel like a champion... the way it happens when a kid unexpectedly breaks into contention for a major.

One of my favorite golf writers, Jason Sobel, tells the post-Open story, of the ups and many downs that followed for Justin, including 21 cuts in row after Royal Birkdale. Now however, Justin Rose is back up there ready to contend again...ready to win.

I took these photographs a couple of weeks ago at the Traveler's Championship. He's an exciting player to watch, and it would be wonderful to see him do well at the course where he made magic a decade ago.

























Photographs © Golf Girl Media

Justin Rose - The Old, Young Gun Who Won

The years go by really quickly when you get past a certain age.

From about 18 onward they start blending into one another, and before you know it a decade has flown by. ~ Then, as some of us know all too well, the pace really picks up.

I took the photos here almost exactly two years ago but... cliche alert... it seems like only yesterday.

For me it seems like yesterday. For Justin Rose, who was then already being labeled the "early-blooming Rose waiting to blossom", those years must have rocketed by - but at the same time seemed interminable - as he struggled towards that predicted, expected... and ultimately wondered about... first US win.

These shots were snapped at the 2008 Travelers Championship. Soon after which Justin would head back to Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship. Back to the scene of his glorious debut when as a 17-year-old, he nearly won the whole thing, finishing in a tie for fourth with a memorable 59 yard chip-in on the final hole.

He was one of the era's classic "young guns", immediately turning pro, bypassing the opportunity to polish his game on a college scholarship. Some disapproved, warning that the pressures would be too great. And they were for a while as young Justin Rose proceeded to miss cuts... and more cuts. Twenty-one cuts in a row to be exact. When you think of Rory, Rickie, Ryo and all of today's "young guns" you never think of that happening, but golf is what it is, and if you have the talent that Justin Rose has you can put it back together... after twenty-one missed cuts... and become one of the world's top golfers. Justin won the the European Tour's order of merit in 2007.

But there we were, in the summer of 2008, and Justin Rose was still waiting to win on the PGA Tour.

So the two years since passed in a heartbeat... and it's only today that Mr. Rose has his PGA Tour win, on US soil at Jack's tournament. And it must be really sweet because as the English golfer... who turns 30 in July... admitted, "I have always been described as a young gun, but I'm now I'm certainly not." But now he's got a PGA Tour win, and he's still a twenty something... a young gun, albiet and old, young gun... and I'm sure that's just fine with Justin.

Photos: Jason Rose at the 2008 Travelers Championship. ~ Mark Fulcher and Jason Rose at the 2008 Travelers Championship - Golf Girl Media

Au Revoir Evian, a l'Année Prochaine.... Bisous!

I'm always sad to see the Evian Masters end.

Falling as it does in late July, I tend associate the end of the tournament with the beginning of the end of summer. I know we still have a month or more left but the days are already getting shorter and subliminally I've already renounced some of the more ambitious summer adventures I fantasized about in late Spring. The garden party I talked about having... and the weekend rafting trip I thought about taking, probably won't happen. It's been too busy around here to plan such things... as I knew it would be... but I look forward to the possibilities each year, and write them off as I see the lady golfers leaving the French Alps.

Beyond that though, I just really like the vibe of the Evian Masters. It may seem superficial but I love the event's bright pink color palette that looks so dynamic against the the clear blue sky. And the fact that the field is so international and the setting so magical make it special... even when one's experiencing it from afar.

And that brings me the creativity and dedication of the Evian Masters digital media and communications teams. They did an awesome job and provided tons of engaging, up-to-the-minute content... much of it interactive... over a variety of platforms: several times a day one could find regular updates, new photos, current video and live streaming. This year there was also an iPhone app - which allowed me to keep up which what was happening on the shores of Lac Leman from the shores of coastal Connecticut where I was sailing on Saturday.

But that was then. This is now, and now the destination is Royal Birkdale Golf Club and the Ricoh Women's British Open and though the atmosphere is quite different, it's the season's final major and with all that's going on it promises to be an ultra-compelling tournament.

In preparation I recommend reading the astutely updated "2010 predictions" post of The Constructivistwriting atMostly Harmless. ~ No one I've read knows women's professional golf... on a global scale... they way he does, and he as a great way of breaking it down into bite sized pieces. In another recent post he crunched some enlightening Number-One-Player stats. Both are below:

Mostly Harmless: The Best on the LPGA: 7-Up, July 2010 Revised Edition
Mostly Harmless: The Race for #1 in the World of Women's Golf

The 2008 British Open - Final Notes

For only the second time in history, the British Open has been won by a player from the Republic of Ireland, Padraig Harrington.

The first time was last year, and the winner was... the same Padraig Harrington. So Padraig is now the first Irishman to win, the second Irishman to win and the first European to win back-to-back, in a quarter of a century. And that's impressive... And it makes me quite proud as Padraig is a distant cousin of mine.

Of course the huge story of this windswept event at Royal Birkdale was Greg Norman.

In the end, it was another "what could have been" story for a man who's had so many of those in his golf career. But this one was way different from those of the past, from those bitter defeats and monumental meltdowns in what were meant to be his glory years.

This year Greg Norman's Open Championship story was in no way bitter. You can't really be bitter when you're a newlywed, playing at such a high level, at 53, and you've achieved as much as Mr. Norman has, both on and off the course. With a two-shot lead heading into the final round yesterday, Mr. Norman ultimately came up short, resulting in a tie for third. Nonetheless, his 2008 British Open adventure was totally unexpected, universally uplifting and an extraordinary inspiration to watch.

Finally, anyone who knows me, knows I've been a huge fan of a certain stylish Englishman since the beginning of time...well, since the beginning of this blog anyway. That, of course, would be the fashionable, fun-loving Ian Poulter, and I've occasionally taken some slack for my fidelity to a golfer known mainly for his clothes or... total lack thereof. Ian's golf was overshadowed by glittery slacks or offbeat head gear. Off course, he had a predilection for posing nude...and then there was the "me and Tiger" statement that caused such controversy early this year. Well, in a rather discreet white-on-white over pale pink outfit, Ian Poulter carded a one-under 69 yesterday for a second place finish, and most are now seeing beyond the flashy fashion sense to the solid golf skills that may well land this player on the European Ryder Cup. Much to my delight.

The quintessential windy, gray, English weather was also part of the story, coming into play as it did, throughout the tournament. In the end, despite the absence of Tiger Woods, The 2008 British Open was both inspiring and entertaining... and that's exactly what I want from golf.

Photos - Stuart Franklin / Getty Images

HSBC Champions - Lady Luck & Liang Wen-Chong

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"I tried my best but lady luck eluded me"

That's what Liang Wen-Chong said last week at the Barclays Singapore Open. As you probably remember, Mr. Liang finished just one shot behind winner Ian Poulter after a particularly valiant final round charge.

The record breaking Chinese player is decidedly the hometown hero this week at the HSBC Champions and certainly hoping that the elusive Lady Luck appreciates that fact.
As China's highest ranked golfer and the only one currently in the top 100 in the World Golf Rankings, Liang Wen-Chong is in a pretty awesome position.

August 2007 Liang became the first golfer from the People's Republic of China to play in the PGA Championship, and in July 2008, the first to make the cut at a major, The Open Championship at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club. He was also the first Chinese golfer to pass the million dollar mark in earnings.

Few in the golf business are unaware of China's potential as a golf market. The top players have been talking about little else since they arrived for this tournament. Tiger Woods has spoken of the game's explosive growth and declared in a press conference yesterday that if the government lends its support, there's"...no question China will become a powerhouse in golf". As for Phil Mickelson, he's working on a couple of design projects already, and even creating a series of instructional DVDs dubbed into Mandarin. Each clearly recognizes the value of the developing Chinese golf.

Liang Wen-Chong finished round one of the HSBC Champions in a four-way tie for fifth. If he were to reconnect with the alluring Lady Luck and win it would definitely aid in that development.

Photographs : Getty Images ✿

Global Golf - An Exciting French Open Finish

Almost exactly two years ago, I attended my first ever professional golf tournament.

It was the 2007 Open de France, and at the time I was relatively new to golf, having first picked up a club just over a year prior.

Golf Girl's Diary was less than a year into publication as well, and when I look back at my early posts now, they reveal a naivete ... about the game, the players and the culture of golf writing... that in retrospect seems a bit lame somewhat unprofessional rather refreshing.

That particular summer was one of the rainiest on record in Paris and we were lucky to get a day at Le Golf National that, if not sunny and bright, was for the most dry. The tournament was won by Graeme "Stormy" Storm, an affable Englishman who hasn't quite replicated his 2007 success.


This year's Open de France, which ended today, was played in decidedly more summery conditions. The on-course action was sizzling as well, finishing on the first hole of a sudden death playoff between Martin Kaymer of Germany and Lee Westwood of England.

Twitter golf fans will be happy to know that awesome @IanJamesPoulter played a stellar round, coming within two strokes of the lead towards the end, and looking incredible in a gauzy mint green golf shirt (I had to add that last bit, I'm still me, after all).

Ultimately, a wayward photographer snapped a series of shots right in the middle of Mr. Poulter's back swing... and the ensuing two bogeys on the last four holes... left Ian in third place and vowing to bypass the tournament in the future. That said, from the looks of his game, there can be little doubt that this Twittervangelist is in a great position for the upcoming British Open where he hopes to turn last year's runner-up spot at Royal Birkdale into a win at Turnberry.

State-side, golf fans saw Tiger Woods take his own AT&T National tournament despite a course-record-tying 62 in the final round by Hunter Mahan.

Meanwhile the LPGA's Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic provided fans with some playoff action and was won, in the end, by Eunjung Yi, who hit a 10-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat another of golf's more prolific Twitterers, Morgan Pressel.

Now, with the US Women's Open about to begin and the British Open Championship following that, the next couple of weeks promise to be nothing less than... Golfalicious.

And if that's not a word, we need to make it one.

US Open to Be Played in British Open Conditions?

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We're used to weather in the Northeastern United States...at least somewhat used to it.

We've been known to have a week of rain in June...or July. Humidity, and the ensuing thunderstorms, are quite common too. But still, we have enough good days that we tend to plan outdoor weddings and huge cookouts, without really acknowledging that the plans may have to be... altered.

The next couple of days look fine but it's looking a bit dicey beyond that. The intrepid golf writers at Newsday, whose office is just a couple minutes from the course, reminded me that 2002's US Open, held at the same venue, was a rather soggy affair as well. But we're all hoping for the best. The way we look at it, weather can always change...and golf is more interesting when the weather comes into play, that's part of the challenge.

I'm not sure I agree with the interesting part, but rain always seems to be a factor at the British Open...remember Royal Blustery Birkdale last year? Ample Argyle Sweaters and multi-colored umbrellas were the order of the tournament, even woolen skull caps were common.

We'll see what we'll be wearing this weekend. In the meantime, before I forget, Newsday.com is live blogging and posting up-to-the-minute news & feature stories... and they definitely bring an unparalleled insider's perspective.

Now I'm going on up to the attic to get out some of those winter clothes. The tiny little sundresses I planned to wear to try to impress Sergio might not be appropriate. Damn.