British Open
British Open 2024: 'I might throw my putter in the ocean' - Pro perfectly sums up his first round at Royal Troon
Stuart Franklin/R&A
Nick Taylor famously tossed his putter in celebration when he holed a 72-footer to win his national open last summer in Canada. Following a brutal opening round on the greens at Royal Troon Thursday, Taylor considered tossing that same putter in disgust.
Taylor struck the ball beautifully in his opening round of the 152nd British Open, gaining 3.71 strokes on approach, which for now ranks third in the field. Yet he walked off the 18th with a four-over 75 despite giving himself nine looks for birdie from 21 feet or shorter. The 36-year-old converted on just one of those nine putts, a two-foot, eight-inch tap-in at the par-5 16th. His lone birdie of the day.
Asked afterward if he'd go practice or rest up for Friday, the Canadian did not mince words.
"I don't know," Taylor said. "I might throw my putter in the ocean or go work for three hours. We'll see."
Relatable. Well, aside from the fact Taylor could helicopter his flat stick into the Firth of Clyde and have an exact replica given to him for free by Friday morning. If any of us mere mortals did that, we'd have to immediately swim after it or say goodbye for good.
What really soured the day was the fact Taylor hit his final approach into the 18th to four feet, presenting a prime opportunity to salvage the day. Three over is looking a hell of a lot better than four over right now. Unfortunately, he missed.
"I would have felt better making that," he said. "I got to 3-over with two to play and really -- hit three great shots coming in just to get 1-over. It leaves a sour taste.
"I fought. I still need to get a good round tomorrow. Again, if I can just roll putt in, see it going in, hopefully get some mojo going in."
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