TROON, Scotland — The West Coast of Scotland will get the golf glory this week as Royal Troon hosts the Open Championship, but on Tuesday it was the East Coast of Canada that walked away with bragging rights.
In what has become a long-standing tradition at major championships, the Canadian contingent got together for a Tuesday practice round. And what fun would a round of golf among friends be without placing a little something on the line.
The Abbotsford, B.C., duo of Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor represented the West Coast, while the East Coast (or at least Ontario) was represented by Listowel’s Corey Conners and Dundas’ Mackenzie Hughes.
Unfortunately, the result of the match has become a little too predictable in recent times, according to the B.C. crew.
“We got dominated again. It’s tough sledding against those boys, they match up well,” Taylor said. “Another loss in our column.”
As for how the day went?
“About the same as it always goes,” Hadwin said. “East Coast taking money.”
The foursome began play on Royal Troon’s 10th hole and battled a decent headwind all the way back toward the clubhouse.
“That back nine today was a beast,” Hadwin said. “A couple blind shots to start your back nine, long irons into greens. Shoot, driver into one of the par 4s. Man, hold on.”
All of the Canadians enjoy the challenge of links golf and the creativity it requires, but on Tuesday they got a quick taste of what Royal Troon is capable of dishing out on the difficult back nine, especially into the wind.
“Man there are a lot of bunkers out here and they are very penal and there’s such a premium having good lines, Hadwin said. “You’ve got to hit it solid so you can control the trajectory.”
Hadwin has been happy with the state of his game recently, but admitted Tuesday just wasn’t his day.
“I played like a dog,” Hadwin said. “Watched Corey stripe it around for nine holes, and then we throw a press in there and he hits a three-wood from 242 yards to six-feet and does pretty standard Corey Conners things. But it’s always fun to hang out with the guys.”