Phil Mickelson is home as wife Amy battles cancer. Ernie Els is making more wine than cuts. Padraig Harrington hasn’t cashed a PGA check in two months. Jim Furyk hasn’t won a tournament in almost two years. Sergio Garcia has a broken heart. And Vijay Singh is pitching Viagra.
As the British Open begins today at Turnberry, the question is: What happened to all of Tiger Woods‘ competition? With so many other players with major-championship chops off the radar, has Tiger ever had such a clear path in a major?
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Woods, a victor two weeks ago at the AT&T National, is a 13 to 5 favorite. His chance of winning, according to the William Hill Betting House of London, is more than 10 times greater than that any other player. No. 2 on the betting line is Ian Poulter, at 28 to 1, followed by Garcia, Furyk, Lee Westwood and Hunter Mahan, all at 33 to 1.
The idea that these five players, with one major championship between them, are Nos. 2 through 5 indicates the thinness of this British Open field.
So Woods’ prime opponent, as he pursues his 15th major title, could be the course. The last time he played a major on an unfamiliar track, in 2006 at Royal Liverpool, Tiger claimed his third Claret Jug, teeing off with his driver just once all week.
“That all depends on the wind,” said Woods of his tee-shot strategy at bunker-filled Turnberry. “It certainly presents its challenges. You’ve got to hit some really good shots and you’ve got to understand why the last three champions are some of the best ball strikers.”
Those champions were Nick Price (1994), Greg Norman (1986), and Tom Watson (1977), all finished No. 1 in the world the year they played Turnberry.
Woods fits that description, but when “ball strikers” are mentioned, Garcia’s name is sure to follow. When El Nino finally makes his major breakthrough, it will most likely happen on a course that doesn’t demand great putting. Turnberry could be the ticket for Garcia, but only if Tiger complies.
