After waking up early to learn the tournament had been delayed due to high winds we decided to sleep in a while longer.  That turned out to be a good decision.  Little did we know just how long the tournament would be delayed that day.

We headed over to the train station around 10 to catch the GolfLink train to St Andrews.  Scot Rail runs these special trains to the tournament from all over Scotland.  For a 10 pound ticket you can ride to Leuchars Station outside St Andrews where you board a police escorted bus caravan right to the front gate of the tournament.  Not a bad deal and one that worked out well for us.

Crossing the Firth of Forth on the train to St Andrews.

By the time the train pulled in to Leuchars winds were gusting to 50 mph and they were hoping to tee off later in the afternoon.  So we went into the town and looked around.  It is really a beautiful area.  St Andrews University is the 3rd oldest in the english speaking world.  Down at the far end are the ruins of an old cathedral.  There are just a few walls and foundations remaining surrounded by an old graveyard.  The old and young Tom Morris’s are each buried there and we made sure to pay our respects.

Stopped for a proud father & son photo op before heading into town.

St Andrews University is the third oldest in the English speaking world founded in 1410.

Ruins – St Andrews

Not what you think – wynd is Scottish for a narrow lane! Nice hat huh – it felt good on a cool afternoon.

The graves old of Old Tom Morris and his son, “Young Tom”.

Ruins amid the cemetery – St Andrews.

We had a very good hamburger and maybe the best fries of my life right off the St Andrews town square.  Then it was back to the tournament where you guessed it – there was still a wind delay.  By that time Sunday was not looking good either and since we were leaving for France on Monday I was beginning to wonder if we had come all this way and would never see any golf played.

Beautiful square in center of St Andrews.

The Old Course – first green looking back at the Royal & Ancient clubhouse and town of St Andrews in the distance. What a grand stage for a golf tournament!

I found a nice seat in the stands by the roadhole 17th green and Smith took off to walk the course.  It was a bit frustrating because except for the wind delay it was an otherwise beautiful day.  Finally they announced at 6 PM they would resume play and finish round 2 which they did. So we sat all afternoon for a couple of hours of actual play then were back on the train to Edinburgh around 8 that night.  We were also a bit bummed out to learn we would be missing the final round which they decided would be played on Monday.  Oh well – you win some and you lose some!