The 152nd men’s British Open golf tournament is being played in Scotland at the Royal Troon Golf Club for the 10th time. After the first round, Daniel Brown, a virtual unknown, is winning the tournament at six-under par. Shane Lowry is in second at five-under. I don’t think the tournament could be in any other month than July simply because the weather in the United Kingdom is so unpredictable and cold for most of the year.
It’s going to be 64 degrees with rain and wind for the weekend. I would not want to be playing golf in that weather unless I was getting paid. Justin Thomas is currently in third place at three-under par, but a good number of big names really struggled, including the U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who shot 76, and Rory McIlroy, who shot 78, and last, but not least Tiger Woods, who shot a 79. I don’t think the British Open is going to be a tournament where Tiger has a chance to contend anymore because the cold weather cannot help his precarious back.
The Phillies better get off to a decent start in the second half this weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates if they want to solidify their division lead over the Atlanta Braves. It seemed like they were sleepwalking for the last 10 days of the first half. They would play one good game and then two terrible ones. Come on, Phillies. Don't fall apart now!
And some fun local news concerning baseball. Congratulations to Cape Henlopen grad Zack Gelof for performing well in the Oakland A’s games against the Phillies last weekend. He had two home runs, including a grand slam in Sunday’s game! It will be tough to keep up with that, but what a showing. Good luck, Zack!
I’m happy to report that one of my predictions for the Wimbledon tennis tournament came true. Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic easily in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, 7-6. Alcaraz has now won four grand slam championships. He actually reminds me of a younger version of Djokovic. If he can stay healthy, he is probably going to win double-digit majors. If Djokovic still wants to play, he is quite capable of winning one or two more majors himself.
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
