LEADER Lucas Herbert became the first major victim of the controversial 17th hole at The Open – and fans were left fuming at Sky’s “botched” TV coverage.
Herbert, 27, was co-leading the pack in the opening round the Royal Liverpool.
Lucas Herbert had a torrid time on the 17th hole at The Open
This shot map shows how rough he found the hole
Sky Sports’ coverage was criticised by many on social media
The Australian was three-under through 16 holes.
But he suffered a nightmare on the dreaded par-three 17th to fall back to level par.
The 17th has been the talk of the golfing world this week with Hoylake groundstaff creating a brutal hole for the stars.
Despite being just 136 yards, the hole is on an elevated green with steep slopes and bunkers all around.
Herbert, though, had a shocker as he missed the green to the left then chipped all the way across into the far bunker, took two shots to get out of the bunker before eventually two-putting for a triple-bogey six.
The world No56 – who managed the first eagle of the major just two holes earlier – magnanimously said: “I think it is a great hole. It is just not easy.”
However, fans watching the action on Sky Sports were furious as the broadcaster cut to an advert break during then-leader Herbert’s struggles – missing both of his shots from the sand – and then wrongly put up a graphic.
The text said Herbert’s first putt was for a bogey, when in actual fact it was for a double.
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Fans had earlier criticised Sky for failing to show the opening group’s attempts at the new hole, especially given the amount of talk about the 17th ahead of the 151st Open.
One said: “Don’t mean to jump on the coverage too much early here, but they really botched the at-the-time leader, Lucas Herbert, playing the new signature must-see-for-TV 17th hole.
“Showed up his chip shot through the green, went to commercial, missed his bunker shot — turns out he left his first attempt in the bunker, coverage also missed his second attempt up and out, came back from commercial and mistakenly had him putting for bogey, when it was for double.
“Changed graphic to his last putt for triple. Still never saw either bunker shot.”
‘COVERAGE SUCKS’
Another wrote: “Watched first group get all way to the new 17th then nothing – 10-minute delay before you see them putting. Really new hole, lots of build-up and we are somewhere else on the course.”
A third fumed: “We didn’t see what Lucas Herbert did at 17 because coverage sucks. But go off king. Act like we saw it.”
And a final user moaned: “Missed three of Herbert’s shots because of commercials.”
Ticket holders at the course filled up the stand beside the 17th green hours before the players reached it – just so they would not miss the drama.
Herbert’s second shot skidded across the green and down the slope into the bunker
Herbert went left with his tee shot then got stuck in the bunker
He needed two shots to get out of the sand
The brutal hole is only 136 yards long
Frequently Asked Questions
Is watching golf a way to improve your game?
Yes, it makes my game better!
One of the most loved sports in the world is golf. The sport of golf involves hitting a ball to a target from various distances with sticks and clubs. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time outdoors and relax. Did you know there are so many benefits to playing golf? These are just a few of the many benefits that golf can bring to your life.
- Golf helps you get fit
- Playing golf makes you feel good
- While playing, you don’t need to think as much.
- Golf teaches patience
- Inspiration can be found in watching golf
- Golf is fun
- It is very easy to learn how to play golf
- Golf is less expensive than any other sport
- Golf is an excellent stress-relieving activity
- Golf is social.
How can I instantly improve my game of golf?
Practice 20 minutes per session, three times per week, to improve your ability to play golf. Consistent practice is key to playing well at tournaments. Practice makes perfect!
Is it really necessary to join a club in order to golf?
No, you don’t need a golf course membership. However, you will be able to use all the facilities, including driving ranges, putting areas, and locker rooms.
What is the average scoring for weekend golfers?
A beginner’s average golf score is 100. As you get better at golf, your scores improve. You’ll start with 9 holes. Then you will work your way up.
How can I improve my game of golf without having to practice?
To improve your game, it is important to practice. Even if your time and resources are limited, you can still improve. Keep in mind that you should always strive to practice what you have set out to do. You should play fast if you want to play faster. If you wish to hit your shot farther, you need to focus on striking the target farther.
Is it possible to be better by watching pros play?
Watching pro players play makes you better at video games. Learning from the mistakes of other players can help you improve your game. Professional gamers can inspire you to be a better player.
Statistics
- By adding 10 more yards to all their golf shots amateurs will increase the percentage of greens they hit by 8 – 10%. (golfinsideruk.com)
- Trackman found that over 65% of amateur’s golf shots finish short of the target from 160 yards. (golfinsideruk.com)
- According to Shot Scope’s database of more than 30 million shots, 80% of missed greens are missed short. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- However, if you go in thinking that you will get all the way down to a 10, you will likely stunt your progress because your expectations are way out of line. (practical-golf.com)
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
External Links
collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu
flagstick.com
nicklaus.com
troy.golf
How To
How do I improve my putting abilities?
You can improve your putting by practicing. First, get great instruction from someone who has experience. If you don’t know anyone who’s willing to give you lessons, then check out our article about how to find golf instructors. After you have found the right person, inquire if they offer private lessons. You’ll want to look at their schedule so you don’t end up scheduling something conflicting with another lesson.
Look for a pro shop that rents clubs. These shops include: Golf Galaxy and TaylorMade. Titleist, Callaway, Callaway, Callaway, Cobra, Wilson, Ping GOLF. FootJoy, Scotty Cameron.
The next step after getting some instruction is to start practicing. There are two methods to do this. The first is to buy some putters and start practicing hitting the balls into the holes. You can choose from different types of putters, such as long irons, mid irons and wedges, depending on the type of shot you are most comfortable with. However, unless you spend a lot of money on equipment, you won’t be able to practice enough to become really good at putting.
Online mini-games are another way to practice. Some sites allow you the opportunity to play against others around the world while others only let you practice your own short game. There are many websites that allow you to play Putt-Putt. This is where you hit a ball into holes. TopGolf is another site, as well as StrokePlay or Wii Sports Club.
Once you’ve practiced enough, you can move onto the next phase of improving your putting game. The next step would be to improve your technique. This will require you to improve your technique in three areas: grip, alignment, and stance.
Stance refers primarily to the way you look at the ball. An error beginners often make is to stand too close the ball. To avoid glancing at the ball, keep your body far away until you move forward. Your feet should be at shoulder width and slightly bent.
Your hands should be free and relaxed. You should not hold on to anything or clench your fists. Instead, you should place your hands on the top of your shoulders.
Your arms should not be locked down, but straight. Throughout the entire putting stroke, your arms should remain straight.
Alignment refers the degree to which your hips move as you swing through a shot. Many people rotate their hips so much that it is difficult to align properly. Your knees may bend slightly when you are aiming for the target. As you swing through the shot, your hips will turn toward the target.
Grip refers to how you position your fingers on the clubface. Many people have problems gripping the clubs correctly. Your index finger should be on the lower edge of your face when you are addressing the putt. Your middle finger should be on the top edge. Your pinky finger should be above the handle line, and your ring finger should rest on the shaft.
You may also want to consider buying a new putter. While it’s true that all putters aren’t created equal, if you’re having problems with your current putter, you might find that a new model helps improve your game.
