Scotland is the undisputed Home of Golf.
It’s also birthplace of some of the world’s greatest explorers, inventors, adventurers, philosophers, poets, folk heroes, politicians, actors, entertainers along with stars of sport and, of course, golf.
Each member of the 2014 USA Ryder Cup team has traveled to Scotland prior to this week.
But when www.golfbytourmiss.com tested their knowledge of Scotland all but a few were found wanting.
Take a look at our exclusive survey conducted during the first two weeks of the recent FedEx Cup Play-Off Series as it makes for some great reading.
Jim Furyk – Ryder Cup – 1997, ’99, ’02, ’04, ’06, ’08, ’10 and ’12.
Haggis – Jim Furyk says he likes it.
Have you tasted Haggis and if so, did you like or dislike it? I like haggis and first tried it when I competing in one of my earlier British Open’s.
Can you name your three favourite Scottish golf courses? Turnberry is my favourite. Carnoustie and Royal Troon but then I would also add Muirfield but I missed the cut there last year and in 2002 so I’ve never played well there. I’ve also played Crail and that’s a great links course.
Can you name three Scottish whiskeys? Oban, Johnnie Walker as I represented them for years, Dewars and there’s a single malt Lagavulin.
Can you name three famous Scots: Tommy Armour, Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris.
Matt Kuchar – Ryder Cup – 2010, ’12.
Haggis. Like or dislike: I don’t mind eating Haggis. It is part of the Scottish tradition to eat Haggis so I like it and I enjoy a glass of Glenfiddich, as well.
Three favourite Scottish golf courses: Turnberry, Muirfield and Troon.
Can you name three Scottish whiskeys: MacCallan, Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie.
Three famous Scots: Sean Connery and the two guys who won every British Open early on. Old Tom and Young Tom Morris.
Zach Johnson – Ryder Cup – 2006, ’10, ’12.
Zach Johnson knows his famous Scots selecting James MacAvoy who starred in the Last King of Scotland.
Haggis. Like or Dislike: Never had it and not sure if I would like it.
Three favourite Scottish golf courses: Muirfield, Turnberry and Troon but then I’ve heard Kingsbarns is tremendous and would love to play there one day.
Can you name three Scottish whiskeys: Oh! Holy cow. Three Scottish whiskeys. Johnny Walker is the only one I can name.
Three famous Scots: William Wallace, Martin Laird. No, I am only kidding. Rob Roy and there’s that movie The Last King of Scotland with James McAvoy. He’s Scottish isn’t he? Then there’s also James Bond and Sean Connery. I can’t leave him out.
Patrick Reed – First Ryder Cup appearance.
Haggis. Like or dislike: I’ve tried Haggis and let’s just say it’s different. I’ve only had it once and that was at the Junior British Open in ’06 at Heswall and just before Tiger Woods won The Open at Hoylake.
Three favourite Scottish courses: Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. They’re the only Scottish courses I’ve played at that was when I played the Dunhill Links a few years back.
Three famous Scots: I met Alan Hansen the year I played in the Dunhill Links so I know he’s Scottish. Then there’s guys like Colin Montgomerie and Martin Laird who plays here on the PGA Tour.
Can you name three Scottish whiskeys: The only I know is Johnnie Walker.
Jimmy Walker – First Ryder Cup appearance.
Haggis. Like or dislike: I’ve tried it and it tastes alright.
Three favourite Scottish golf courses: I haven’t played that much in Scotland. I’ve only really played The Renaissance, Muirfield and this year I played Royal Aberdeen and Donald Trump’s new course. I thought they were all really pretty good. They all have their own unique features. So I have enjoyed playing golf over there, so far.
Name three Scottish whiskeys: That’s easy. McCallan’s, Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich and there’s my namesake ‘Johnnie’.
Three famous Scots: Sean Connery, William Wallace and what about Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher.
Jordan Spieth – First Ryder Cup appearance.
When Jordan Spieth competed in the Junior Ryder Cup in 2010 at Gleneagles he was under age.
Haggis. Like or dislike? I’ve tasted it once and that was during the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen.
Three favourite Scottish golf courses: St. Andrews, Kingsbarns and Royal Aberdeen.
Three famous Scots: Sean Connery is Scottish? There must some Scottish actors. It’s like Canadians as I get them mixed up as being American. It’s the same with the Scots as I’m not sure if they are English but let’s say Ewan McGregor and of course, there’s Billy Connolly.
Three Scottish whiskeys: Johnny Walker, McCallan’s and umm. Maybe it’s better for me if I couldn’t name them.
Webb Simpson – Ryder Cup – 2012.
Haggis. Like or dislike – Never tasted it.
Your three favourite golf courses – Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield and Gleneagles.
Can you name three famous Scots – Monty, Martin Laird and Russell Knox (smiling)
Can you name three Scottish whiskeys – No. Can’t name one, sorry.
Hunter Mahan – Ryder Cup 2010.
Hunter Mahan gets full marks in singling out James ‘O07’ Bond or Sean Connery as Scottish born.
Haggis. Like or dislike. I’ve tried once or twice as it was part of a buffet.
Three favourite Scottish golf courses: I love the Old Course at St. Andrews and Carnoustie. I really like Gleneagles as that was fun to play when we came up here in July.
Three Scottish whiskeys: Johnnie Walker. I don’t drink whiskey so that’s the only one I can think of.
Three famous Scots: I was going to say Colin Montgomerie but let’s say Sean Connery, Old Tom Morris and Donald Ross. He was Scottish, wasn’t he?
Lets hope Tom Watson’s have a better knowledge of the PGA Centenary Course!!
