Loch Lomond To Lose Scottish Open

The days of the Scottish Open being played at Loch Lomond look to be numbered. Barclays, the tournament's current sponsor, are keen to extend their sponsorship when the present deal finishes in 2012, but would like it to be played on a links course instead.

The main reason for the change is an attempt to attract more stars to compete in the event, which is played the week before the British Open. Tiger Woods has never played in the Scottish Open in the 15 years it has been played at Loch Lomond, preferring instead to go to Ireland and play on a links course in preparation for the Open. Many other US players opt to stay away as well, and even Padraig Harrington snubs the event to play in Ireland instead.

But finding a venue will prove a problem, and even then switching to a links course might not suit everybody. Playing a links course 2 weeks on the trot will not be everyone's cup of tea.

Read the full story HERE.

What do you think? Where would you like to see the Scottish Open Played? Let us know below.

Play Suspended - Again

For the second time in three days, the Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor resort in Wales has had to be suspended because of heavy rain.

Ironically, the course was under water from the same storm that caused a 7 hour delay to play on Friday. Weather forecasts had predicted that the bad weather could just skirt the venue, but unfortunately it has landed slap bang in the middle of it.

The earliest that play will resume is 12 noon, and only if the weather abates. With the rearranged format for yesterday's play, it was hoped that the competition would still manage to finish today as planned. But it is now certain to go into a fourth day on Monday. And with the uncertainty about the weather, there are no guarantees that all the matches will be completed.

There is a time limit for the event to finish at 18.43 BST tomorrow. If there are still matches on the course at this time they will be deemed as halved matches. So the event will be decided by the scores of the completed matches at that time. But lets keep our fingers crossed that we can get some play today and that all the matches are completed tomorrow.

There have been questions asked from the start why this years Ryder Cup is so late, especially as the British weather at this time of year is so unpredictable. The USPGA are now taking some of the flak, as it now seems that the addition of the Fedex Cup events to their tour is the main reason for the timing of the Ryder Cup. And the general concensus of opinion seems to be that the Ryder Cup could, and should, have been played before the Fedex Cup. Because of the venues for the Fedex Cup, they would not have the same weather problems at this time of year as have occurred in Wales.

What do you think, Should the Ryder Cup be played earlier and before the Fedex Cup?

Leave a comment and let us know your views.