The British Open is this week over at Royal Troon in southern Scotland. It last held the Open seven years ago, when Justin Leonard emerged as the champion golfer of the year. It was and remains as Leonard's only major championship victory. The one-shot-wonder victory by Leonard is a stark contrast to the champions in the majors in this 2004 season.
I know, I know. You're shouting that Phil Mickelson's Masters title is his first major. And you are right. But, by comparison to the five major champions before him, Mickelson's victory was almost inevitable. Recall the names of the five major champions since the 2003 British Open, when Ernie Els prevailed. Rich Beem, Mike Weir, Jim Furyk, Ben Curtis, and Shaun Micheel, in order, are the names. With the exception of Furyk, who really expected any of those four men to win a major? I'd be willing to guess that even their mothers did not expect them to pull off the feat.
So far this season, though, the majors have been dominated by world-class players. The aforementioned Mickelson is the winningest left-handed golfer in the world and we all knew he would win a major ... someday. Retief Goosen, in an amazing showdown with Mickelson, established himself as a name for the ages in U.S. Open lore.
The regular tour, too, has seen the re-emergence of the veteran golfer in the past season and a half, following the record setting 2002 campaign. Trophies are predominantly going out to golfers in the top-30 in the world rankings.
The dominance exhibited by the best golfers in the world over the rest of the best leads me to believe that there will be no change this week at Troon. Sure, the Open Championship does lend itself to first (and only) time winners. But I have a feeling that will not be the case this year.
Royal Troon has a very exposed front nine and will give up a large number of birdies and eagles. But the backside is probably the strongest test in Open links golf. Almost entirely against the wind, a player making a Sunday charge will have to humble himself to steady pars on the way to the house. Most young, inexperienced golfers will be unable to quell their aggression from the front side and will pay in black figures.
Meanwhile, those who have been down the stretch of a major before know to temper their demeanors and can prepare to withstand the pressure from themselves and the competition. It is a skill that requires the experience of success at the highest level, the experience of winning a major championship.
This is all beside the fact that there are not many world-class golfers left without a major championship. Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, and Adam Scott are the scarce names that come to mind.
So, then, who is my pick for the Open Championship this year? I knew you were going to ask that eventually. For the first time since 1997, Tiger Woods is not the gambling houses' favorite to win a major. And he's not my favorite, either. Ernie Els had a final round of 80 at Shinnecock, which is deceiving. Phil Mickelson will never win the Open Championship because he is a high-ball player who cannot alter his game long enough to be a legit links champion.
But after going on this entire tirade regarding veteran success over the last 18 months, my pick for the British Open is Adam Scott. He has three wins in nine months on the tour, including two loaded field events. He is one step away from a major, and I think that he may take that step this week, toward the Clarett Jug.
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