Nike’s groovy NRG, the Johnny collar trend, Viktor’s head-scratcher, JT’s cardigan, one of the best retro collabs of the year, and more. We break down the best and worst fits from Day 2 at Royal Liverpool.
See also: The Open Championship Fashion Dimes & Crimes: Day 1
Fashion Dimes
Shubhankar Sharma (Nike)
I’ve been plus/minus on Nike’s NRG releases for the majors this year, but the Swoosh absolutely crushed it with this ‘Play to Live’ drop for The Open. The bubbly font and free-flowing text have a groovy flower-child vibe that pays homage to The Beatles’ hometown.
Billy Horschel (Ralph Lauren & FootJoy)
Is it too early to say that the Johnny collar polo is trending? After Wyndham Clark captured the U.S. Open in one and Billy Horschel slipped one on the past two days, I think it is safe to say we have reached trending status for this retro design. It provides such a clean look.
Justin Thomas (Greyson Clothiers & FootJoy)
It was a bit of a somber, all-black fit for JT, which may have been a reflection of the state of his game after an opening round 82, but the cardigan provided a healthy dose of interest, intrigue, and sophistication. Cardigans can be tricky to pull off. Get it right and you look like a boss. Get it wrong and you look like Mr. Rogers gone bad. JT nailed it. If you opt for a cardigan, take a style tip from Justin and leave the lowest button unbuttoned.
Alex Noren (Macade Golf & FootJoy)
Macade is a brand that has captured my attention over the last few years. Their seasonal collections bring a modern approach to golf fashion that leans towards sporty and athletic with joggers, hoodies, quarter-zips, and drawstring shorts. The brand has also spread its wings with several limited edition collabs and capsules with retro designs. The latest is this collab with iconic British sportswear brand Admiral. Admiral has a rich history in football (soccer) and fashion and reached its peak in the ’80s and ’90s. The Macade x Admiral capsule taps into those throwback looks while fusing golf and football with Johnny collar polos (there it is again) that replicate vintage jerseys, side stripe shorts, coaches jackets, and crewnecks.
Tony Finau (Nike)
Tony has unfortunately landed on the wrong side of Dimes & Crimes more times than not this year, but he hit all the right notes in this soft pink floral polo. Even the hoodie had an easy-going nonchalance to it and the basic white and black Air Jordan 1s allowed the focus to fall on the rest of the fit.
Sam Burns (TravisMathew) & Max Homa (FootJoy)
I get it; navy blue and grey isn’t exactly a risky color combo, but both of these fits just hit different. Maybe it’s the pinpoint tailoring. Maybe it’s the sapphire tones that these navy blues possess.
Zach Johnson (Ralph Lauren & FootJoy)
Ralph Lauren will once again be outfitting the U.S. Ryder Cup Team this year and captain Zach Johnson is already sampling some RL threads. Are we starting to see color blocking returning to the fairways? And, woah! How about those custom FootJoys?!
Ben Griffin (Holderness & Bourne & FootJoy)
Finally, someone giving us a splash of color at Royal Liverpool. Holderness & Bourne is a brand that has taken its game to another level this year and I’m all in. I can’t wait for the Fall Collection to drop.
Sungjae Im (JDX & FootJoy)
On a day with so many retina-damaging prints and patterns (see below), Sungjae Im proved that diamonds can be a guy’s best friend.
Denny McCarthy (Redvanly & Adidas)
A little tipping on the collar of a sweater goes a long way. Subtle, but effective.
Dustin Johnson (Extracurricular & FootJoy)
Name a player who wears a technical vest better than Dustin Johnson. I’ll wait…
Wyndham Clark (Municipal & FootJoy)
What can brown do for you? Brown belts continue to trend and Wyndham Clark showed us another way to wear them with a teal polo and white trousers. Take note of the thinness of the strap.
Rory McIlroy (Nike)
Nothing flashy from Rory today, but his simplest fits tend to be his best fits. This was definitely an all-business look from Rors. Now, when is Nike going to release all of these great sweaters Rory has been wearing this year?
Fashion Pennies
Viktor Hovland (J.Lindeberg & Puma Golf)
I’m so conflicted by Hovland’s outfit, I’m not sure whether it is low-key fire or a crime. What do you think?
Fashion Crimes
Matt Wallace
Matt Wallace is a multiple Threadie winner. An award that goes to a select group of the best-dressed players in a given year. It pains me to charge him with a fashion felony. I’m not sure how much J.Lindeberg is paying him to wear this shirt, but it isn’t enough. I want to know the sales numbers for this shirt and who would actually buy it.
Si Woo Kim
Enough already! My eyes can’t take much more.
Taiga Semikawa
So many things here. Black shoes with white socks, plus the black shoes with orange pants just weigh down the entire look. The white socks with orange joggers aren’t great, either. Sigh.
Keita Nakajima
There is too much going on here between the color-blocked polo and the camo sleeves.
John Daly
Yesterday our Tour Editor Michael Ruuska said, “If I had to say something positive about John Daly’s outfit, I guess it would be…at least he isn’t wearing the Hooters pants…”
Today John Daly said, “Hold my Diet Coke.”
Man…day 2 crimes are waaay worse than usual. And yes….Vik is def a felon in this crime kit. JL makes good stuff…why don’t they ever style Vik with it.
I feel like JL has lost the plot. There is a fine line between pushing boundaries and careening off track. I’d like to see some of the vintage looks from the Jesper Parnevick days make a return.
Once again, I saw a player with pants so tight that the bottom edge of the undershorts can be seen across the thigh. Either looser fit on the pants or another form of underwear is advised. As for Victor, definitely a crime, although I do like those colors together. The Puma x Liberty print is a true surprise and very interesting. I generally think of Liberty prints for little girls smocked dresses, but Puma pulled it off.
Just wait. The baggy pants will be making a return soon. Puma did a great job with the Liberty print. It was one of the best things we saw at the PGA Show in January.
How about something in between baggy and so tight we see the underwear line on TV? Panty lines have been an issue for women for years and manufactures have come up with various styles of underwear to avoid this fashion conundrum. I hope pleated pants don’t come back. My husband was very resistant to getting rid of his. Not looking forward to the “I told you so” situation if they get resurrected.
Noooo pleats!!!!!