Golf’s oldest major, the 141st British Open (Open Championship) is set to get underway in just a few short hours….
The talk so far has been the wet conditions of the course given the heavy rainfall this summer in Britain. It appears that the bad weather once predicted will subside over the next four days but given the unpredictability of the weather on a seaside links course like Royal Lytham it could change rapidly a couple times over the course of the day.
This is a relatively short course by modern standards measuring 7,086 yards at Par 70. The main defense on this course are it’s bunkers – 205 total and the long, thick rough. Accuracy off the tee is especially critical on this golf course because a shot in the bunker off the tee is a pitch out with no chance to reach the green. This is the only course on the PGA Tour plays that starts with a Par 3 hole.
Notable Tee Times:
Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia 3:42 AM Thursday 8:43 AM Friday
Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Keegan Bradley 8:21 AM Thursday 3:20 AM Friday
Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Geoff Ogilvy 8:43 AM Thursday 3:42 AM Friday
The talk heading into the British Open is centered around Tiger Woods because everytime he tees it up he has a chance to make history. Which Tiger will show up?
Predictions
Winning Score: 9 under
Winner: Tiger Woods or Lee Westwood
Contenders: Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell
Dark Horses: John Daly and Tom Watson
MC: Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, David Duvall
Can Tom Watson contend on this short course? Will Phil Mickelson find form once more? Who will be taking home the trophy?
Give me our honorary member Daly. If not a Watson or Mick would do the trick! Nothing beats a summer golf weekend!
Tiger finished -3