Hello, friends, and happy Saturday from Royal Portrush! It’s been an eventful few days here in Northern Ireland and I am so excited to see how moving day unfolds.
The real grinders at the Open Championship
As someone who grew up with two brothers in a golf-loving family, I learned very early on that boys will practice their golf swings just about anywhere. It doesn’t matter if it’s while waiting in line at the airport, in the office or simply when walking by a full-length mirror, just about anywhere is fair game when it comes to getting some reps in. This week, I’ve discovered that an Open Championship is truly the perfect place for guys to work on their move because everyone carries an umbrella around with them. Nothing works as a makeshift club for air swings quite like an umbrella.
It seemed like everywhere I turned today, people were working on their golf swings. It didn’t matter what age — I saw young kids and their grandfathers getting dialed. As the week has gone on here at the Open, I’ve gotten used to the sight of people working on their takeaway, but I have to say I was taken aback when I saw a kid working on his armlock putting form.
What’s next, umbrella AimPoint practice? Just kidding. I love to see regular golfers getting inspired by their favorite players and working on their own games at Royal Portrush.
Matthew Fitzpatrick’s good luck charm
Matthew Fitzpatrick is in contention at Royal Portrush and he has his wife to thank for it (sort of). Katherine Fitzpatrick posted a video on TikTok explaining that she marks her husband’s golf balls every week, and she decided to have a little fun with it here at the Open. Check it out.
“Let’s mark my husband’s golf balls for the Open. I always mark my husbands golf balls for every tournament he plays. It’s just like, a special way for me to get involved. Most of the time I do hearts and stars. Sometimes if it’s a more of a serious tournament, I’ll do fish … I’m still going to give you a pack of special balls, Matt. You don’t have to use them, but they’re packed and filled with love.”
After a quick search on Getty Images, it doesn’t look like Matt Fitzpatrick has these golf balls in play at Royal Portrush. Maybe they’re in his locker or somewhere in his bag, but either way, what a sweet gesture from his better half!
A GOLF team outing in Portrush
My favorite outing of the week so far happed on Wednesday night, when my coworkers and I headed down the road to Ballyreagh Golf Course for an evening nine.
The par-3 course is a perfect place for kids and families, so I definitely recommend it if you’re ever in the area. Plus, you never know who you’ll run into.
