Who’s got what going for them entering the final round of the British Open? We handicap the field.
He’s Got the Game – Dustin Johnson. Nobody on the leaderboard can match his combination of length off the tee and touch on the greens. This is the third time in the last five majors that he’s played in the final group. He’s hot. He’s worthy. And, even though he’s just 27, he’s due. Odds: 3 to 1.
He’s Got the Crowd – Darren Clarke. Players from Northern Ireland have won two of the last five majors. But it’s been 64 years since one captured a British Open (Fred Daly in 1947). There are plenty of other reasons why Clarke will be the sentimental favorite on Sunday. He’s 42 and has yet to win a major. He suffered the tragic loss of his wife to breast cancer five years ago. And by all accounts he’s a wonderful chap. His putting stroke showed some yips on Saturday. Sunday guarantees to be ever more nerve-wracking. Odds: 5 to 1.
He’s Got the Momentum – Rickie Fowler. In the third round, fans came in the wind and the rain to urge Rory McIlroy to his second straight major championship. But his playing partner, also age 22, won them over by reveling in the brutal conditions and putting together a spectacular round of 68. Fowler doesn’t have a PGA Tour win, but neither did Ben Curtis when he prevailed at Royal St. George’s in 2003. A Fowler victory, like that last month by McIlroy, would be the best outcome for the sport, anointing another young, dynamic, appealing, and modest potential superstar. Odds: 6 to 1.
He’s Got the Stealth – Thomas Bjorn. After firing a 65 on Thursday, tied for the best round of the tournament, Bjorn hasn’t done much more than hang around. But loitering is one of the best ways to win an Open, be it British or U.S. With the death of his father earlier this year and his disastrous 16th hole in the 2003 Open at Royal St. George’s, which cost him the tournament, a Bjorn win would be a feel-good story rivaling that of Clarke. Odds: 10 to 1.
He’s Got the Talent – Phil Mickelson. If it suddenly turned calm on Sunday, like it did in 1993 for Greg Norman at Royal St. George’s when he shot a final-round 64, then Lefty would have a chance. But if the wind continues to whip, it’s hard to see Mickelson making a charge. He trails by five and this much is for sure: He will be aggressive, not the best mind-set in this tournament. Odds: 20 to 1.
He’s Got the Rank – Martin Kaymer. He didn’t get much going on Saturday, but he’s ranked No. 3 in the world and has already proven he has the stomach to win a major. Like Mickelson, he’s five back and would need some implosion by the leaders. Odds: 20 to 1.
He’s Got the Pony Tail — Miguel Angel Jimenez. The Spaniard has received more air time warming up on the drive range than playing the course. He doesn’t have a birdie on his last 24 holes, but, like Bjorn, he’s hanging around, still under par. The worse the conditions on Sunday, the better his chances. The oldest player on the leaderboard at 47 has embraced the art of grinding out pars. Odds: 25 to 1.
He’s Got the Beard – Lucas Glover. According to the British press, it’s been more than a century since a man with whiskers won the Open Championship. Don’t count on Glover finding a remedy for his balky putting stroke, exposed under pressure in the third round. He’s already got his major. At age 31, he’s not a guy who should have two at this stage of his career. Odds: 30 to 1.
He’s Got the Mullet – Anthony Kim. The 26-year-old has made some well-documented bad decisions, but none worse than his new hairdo. On Sunday, however, he plays with one of his favorite partners, Phil Mickelson. Remember Lefty lifting Kim in the 2008 Ryder Cup? If Kim goes crazy, he can make his five-stroke deficit disappear quickly. Odds: 30 to 1.
