Here is what he has to say about this week as wee watch pictures of the grounds crew squeegeeing water off the greens.
I’m sure it won’t surprise anyone if I say that this is the worst run-up to the Open that any of us can remember. Certainly I’ve known nothing like it in my time. It’s been absolutely shocking since the beginning of May.”
As of today, one day before the Championship begins, the forecast for the four crucial days ahead is not as hideous as many might have feared – and, as we all know from grim experience this summer, that’s about as sparkling as the news gets. There will be rain overnight on Wednesday, but the strong winds between 20 and 40mph today will drop to a less daunting 5-15mph, and the picture is generally dry. Wonders will never cease.
Here are guys I expect to do well, considering their recent form, their ability to play links golf, and in particular Royal Lytham St Annes in this weather, where guys will be forced to play less than driver off the tee to avoid the penal rough, then will need accurate approach shots to avoid all the pot bunkers that protect what will be relatively soft, slow greens
Francesco Molinari
This young Italian has been 2nd two weeks in a row, and really threw last week's Scottish Open away. He is a straight driver of the golf ball and his putter is red hot. He is my dark horse this week.
Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy
I really don't have to explain do I?? Any of these guys can and will win this event at some time in their careers... Question is will it be this week..??
Rickie Fowler
Fowler has been lauded as a star of the future ever since he turned pro in 2009 but it wasn’t until earlier this year that he won his first PGA Tour Title at the Wells Fargo Championship where he defeated Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points in a play-off. The colourful American showed a real affinity for links golf when claimed a 3-1 record at the 2009 Walker Cup at New Castle Co. Down and has since finished tied 14th and then tied 5th in his two Open Championship appearances. That progression might well continue this year. He grew up in playing in Texas, and learned to play the ball along the ground to beat the wind. His mastery of the punch shot will stand him in good stead this week.
Padraig Harrington
Harrington comes into the 2012 Open Championship seeking his third victory having won at Carnoustie in 2008 and then defended his title 12 months later at Royal Birkdale. The Irishman has only won once since at the 2010 Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia but under the tutelage of new coach Pete Cowen has finished tied 8th at this year’s Masters and tied 4th at the recent US Open at the Olympic Club. Another big win is surely just round the corner. Paddy has a new spring in his step and is obviously enjoying his game again, needless to say he is a master og links golf.
Paul Lawrie
Lawrie caused a massive surprise when he won the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie but he has subsequently confirmed his class and over the last 12 months or so has probably being playing the best golf of his whole career. That run started when he won last year’s Open de Andalucia and this year it has continued with another victory in the Qatar Masters and several other strong performances. The Scot is renowned as a fine bad weather player so should shine when conditions are inclement. His rededication to the game now that his son's have grown up has been palpable, he has always been most comfortable playing in the UK. He has been putting beautifully.
Justin Rose
I like Rosey because he is not long off the tee for a tall guy, but is straight, so I expect him to be amongst the leaders in fairway's hit, which will be crucial this week because of the rough.
He shot to prominence when he finished tied 4th as an amateur at the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale and has since developed into a serial winner of events of the calibre of the Memorial Tournament, the MBW Championship and the WGC-Cadillac Championship. There are a large number of experts who believe it is only a matter of time before he moves up to the next level by securing his first Major and there is no reason whatsoever why it shouldn’t happen at The Open
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson shot 64 65 at Castle Stuart in the Scottish Open last week before falling off to 74 on Sunday, so he is in form and I know he relishes bad weather.
He used to appear somewhat uncomfortable in a links setting but all that changed 12 months ago when he came very close to claiming the title at Royal St George’s. Mickelson himself says he has now come to terms with the vagaries of seaside golf in this country and anyone with his vast armoury of different shots around the greens has got to be a viable contender.
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles and at www.isr1050.com and as morning show host on www.nextsportstar.com
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