Rocco Mediate Leads Brutish Open

Defending champion
Padraig Harrington
(Doyle/Flickr)

RAINY, WINDY, CHILLY. Welcome to Royal Birkdale and the 137th Open Championship. The Brutish, er, British Open.

Old Man Par and Royal Birkdale won today as 156 players donned long sleeves and rain gear to brave the elements along the Irish Sea. July 17. Yeah, right.

But a few of the world’s best golfers got into red numbers, including one with a creaky back and long putter. Rocco Mediate is back for an encore after co-starring in last month’s U.S. Open, an epic battle with Tiger Woods.

Mediate posted 69, and leads along with Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby. You have to wonder how Rocco’s achin’ back will hold up in 50-degree weather. But he likes tough conditions –- when par is a good score −- and hits a straight ball. Wouldn’t it be something if the 45-year-old hung around to the end?

Some of the marquee names, especially the ones who played early during the foulest weather, got worked over pretty good by Royal Birkdale. Ernie Els and Vijah Singh shot 80. Phil Mickelson had 79.

Nursing an injured wrist, defending champion Padraig Harrington came in with a 74, as did Justin Rose. Sergio Garcia and Anthony Kim shot 72. The 53-year-old Greg Norman had an even-par 70. So did Adam Scott.

Did you know Norman is married to Chris Evert? Sheesh, it seemed like they mentioned Evert each time Norman played a shot. I exaggerate, but not much.

The wind is expected to blow hard the next three days, so look for more of the same. The way Day 1 went, even par is looking good, real good.

−The Armchair Golfer

Related:
2008 British Open TV Schedule

Fox Sports Columnist Picks Westwood in British Open

Lee Westwood

I THOUGHT I’D GET SOME HELP figuring out the British Open, so I turned to the scribes, a few national golf writers and sports columnists. I dashed off an email to three and heard from one, Ian O’Connor, a FoxSports.com columnist and the New York Times bestselling author of Arnie & Jack.

(Ian was a recent guest at ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG. You can read the Q&A here.)

“I’m soliciting your thoughts on the British Open,” I wrote Ian.

He wrote back a couple of days ago. Here’s what he told me.

“Obviously the British Open isn't going to be quite the same without Tiger Woods in the field, but I don't buy the argument that the winner needs an asterisk next to his name.

“Tiger's won the Open three times in 13 starts, a remarkable feat. But he didn't go 13 for 13. He was hardly a gimme winner at Royal Birkdale before the injuries and the surgery knocked him out of the event.”

Fancying Lee Westwood

“On the other hand, with Tiger out, it's a great opportunity for the major-free likes of Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Lee Westwood to finally break through the way Padraig Harrington did last year,” Ian continued.

“I'm going with Westwood. He played great at Torrey Pines in nearly winning the U.S. Open, and the guy's just got too much talent to go without winning a major for the balance of his career.”

Mickelson: Great Mystery of the Universe

“As for Phil Mickelson, he just never plays well in the Open, with only one top 10 finish in 15 starts,” Ian mentioned.

“It's one of the great mysteries of the universe. Phil's got a great imagination for the game, and the Open requires imagination as much as anything else. I don't see him being a factor, if only because he's had a hard time being a factor in any Grand Slam event since his meltdown on the 72d hole at Winged Foot.”

OK, my turn. The usual names come to mind at the majors: Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, defending champion Padraig Harrington (although he has a wrist injury), Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and more.

Frankly, after just checking it, Westwood’s record at The Open Championship isn’t very good. There’s also added pressure to win for British golfers.

I can see Els winning another British, especially with Tiger out of the picture. And I keep expecting Garcia to break through. Among the majors, I think the British Open is Sergio’s best opportunity. Maybe he redeems himself at Royal Birkdale.

Then there’s the chance of a surprise winner, a Todd Hamilton, Ben Curtis, or Paul Lawrie.

Dark horse choices? Perhaps Anthony Kim in his first British Open or the revitalized Justin Leonard, the 1997 winner.

The 137th Open Championship tees off tomorrow.

−The Armchair Golfer

Related:
2008 British Open TV Schedule
Johnny Miller's British Invasion
Stunner: R&A Moves British Open to Milwaukee

2008 U.S. Open: Who Won't Win

Defending champ Cabrera

FIRST OF ALL, AN APOLOGY. I'm not usually a negative guy, but it's just too hard to pick a major winner. Last year at Oakmont I picked Tiger and he lost by a shot. I was crushed. (OK, not really.)

Anyway, this year I thought I'd try something different. I'm picking the losers. I don't like it any more than you do, but I don't know what else to do.

As for Tiger, I'm just not seeing it. The knee, the layoff, Torrey on steroids, U.S. Open rough − I think it's too much to overcome, even for Tiger Woods.

Not Winning List
Tiger Woods
Angel Cabrera
Trevor Immelman
Sergio Garcia
Adam Scott
Ernie Els
Colin Montgomerie
Retief Goosen
Zach Johnson
Ian Poulter
Anyone Who Went Through
a Qualifier
Any Amateur
Gene Sarazen (Bobbio)

Might Win List
Phil Mickelson
Jim Furyk
Stephen Ames
Justin Leonard
Anthony Kim
Aaron Baddeley
Mike Weir
Padraig Harrington
Justin Rose
Andres Romero
Geoff Ogilvy
Vijay Singh
Random Guy

No heavy analysis or stats. All from my gut. Chime in. It's U.S. Open Eve, and I don't want to be wrong by myself.

−The Armchair Golfer

A Fellow Scotsman Defends Colin Montgomerie

MY FRIEND, BRIAN, who supplies photography for this blog, is sticking up for Monty after my post about the most overrated tour players. This is bumped up from the comments section, with Brian’s permission:

Sorry, I know it’s not your list but a Scotsman is about to defend another Scotsman!

Colin Montgomerie is not and could never be considered “overrated.” In fact, I am not sure any of those guys could. Maybe not lived up to their expectations, or, as another said, underachieved. Yes, maybe.

Someone who topped the European Tour eight times cannot be overrated!

What about golfers who have freak wins at majors of whom we hear very little or see winning again consistently at the highest levels? Surely, they are the overrated ones. I can think of Paul Lawrie as an example close to home. I am sure there are other closer to home for you. Ben Curtis, maybe?

Monty was a consistent winner and, yes, never cut it in the United States. But then again he never did a Sergio, or a Rose, or a Parnevik, and moved over and tried to make his living on the PGA Tour. He stayed loyal to the European circuit.

To call him overrated seems typical of the disrespectful attitude towards him from certain parts of the American media and public, who, let’s face it, don’t like him. Hence the Mrs. Doubtfire tag.

No one needs to remind him he has never won a major. Believe me, he gets reminded about it every day over here. Would he swap his eight European Order of Merits for one U.S. Open and golfing obscurity thereafter? Not sure.

Winning a major does not get you guaranteed respect over here. Who do you think is more respected in golf, Montgomerie or Lawrie?

I’ll take that last question. Monty. It’s a no brainer.

−The Armchair Golfer

Related:
Will Faldo Pick Montgomerie for Ryder Cup Team?
Colin Montgomerie Is Feeling Old

Paul Goydos to Become Tour’s First Personality Coach

ACCORDING TO SOURCES, Paul Goydos, the affable journeyman who finished second to Sergio Garcia at The Players Championship, will offer individualized instruction to PGA Tour players to help them develop and enhance their personalities.

Many golf observers have criticized the PGA Tour for being devoid of personality in recent years. Goydos, who this past week charmed the media and golf fans even in defeat, will set out to change the negative perception one Tour player at a time.

“In an age of swing coaches, short game gurus, golf psychologists, nutritionists, fitness instructors, sports agents, business managers, personal assistants –- did I miss any? –- the emergence of the personality coach is probably long overdue,” said a Tour insider.

“I think Paul Goydos is the right man for the job.”

Goydos will reportedly offer a range of services to include cliché avoidance, role play, quips and asides, case studies of past personality greats, fan interaction 101, mastering the media conference and carefree body language.

Goydos’ client list will be confidential, but “we’ll know who they are as they make personality gains,” said the Tour source. The 16-year veteran will continue to play Tour events in addition to coaching.

Asked if he could foresee a day on Tour when a “personality” trailer would be parked alongside the fitness trailer, the source said, “I don’t see why not. It would show the Tour’s commitment to personality and hopefully widen our fan base.”

−The Armchair Golfer

(This is an ARMCHAIR GOLF spoof.)

Sergio Garcia Rolls Into Redemptionville

(Speedpics Flicks/Flickr)

IT WAS THE SEVEN FEET that Sergio Garcia conquered on the 72nd hole that won him one of the most-coveted trophies in golf, The Players Championship.

Garcia’s seven-foot par putt on the last green was struck with a smooth, decisive stroke, and from the time the ball left his regulation-length Titleist putter it rolled like it had no place else to go but the center of the cup. (Sort of the way a guy named Woods always seems to hole the mammoth putt when everything is on the line.)

It was exactly the kind of putt Garcia has failed to make on big occasions in the past. No, it wasn’t quite as huge as the lipout on the final green at Carnoustie last summer that would have won Sergio the British Open.

But Garcia had to sink the tester to complete a gritty up-and-down on the brutally difficult final hole at TPC Sawgrass and to have any chance to catch Paul Goydos, a long-time minor cast member on tour who nearly hijacked the “fifth” major.

Sure, Sergio golfed his ball with amazing precision around a stadium-course layout made even more sinister by gusting winds. But we knew that about the Spaniard. It still comes down to the flatstick. It always does, doesn’t it? (Just ask Tiger about this year’s Masters.)

Welcome to Redemptionville, Sergio Garcia. Enjoy your stay, but not too long. There’s another town calling your name and befitting of your talent –- Majorville.

−The Armchair Golfer

The ‘Old’ Players Championship

Kenny Perry (Fritsche/Flickr)


I DIDN’T GET the memo. No one told me they changed The Players Championship to The Old Players Championship.

You got your Kenny Perry, age 47. You got your Bernhard Langer, age 50. (Langer now hangs out on the Champions Tour.) And there’s your leader, Paul Goydos, the frisky colt of the trio at age 43. Yeah, Goydos, a journeyman, with extra emphasis on “journey.”

I loved Paul’s post-round interview with NBC’s Bob Costas.

Costas: Why do you wear your top button buttoned when it’s so hot here?
Goydos: Because I have no shoulders. It keeps my shirt on.
Costas: You’ve only won twice, both times from behind. Have you ever been the 54-hole leader?
Goydos: No, but I’ve only been on tour 16 years. (Rim shot.)

Goydos, ranked 169th in the world, got the best of Costas, but can he get the best of the field on Sunday? A win would be huge for the player who is making his way back from golf oblivion.

Sergio Garcia is lurking, just three back. As usual, he’s striping the ball, but the putts aren’t falling like they did in round one. They said on the telecast Sergio wants to putt like he did when he was a boy. Maybe he should try to putt like those old guys.

Langer looks like he’s sweeping the beach for valuables. Kenny Perry is nudging it nicely. Goydos, Mr. 11 One-putts, looks like he’s putting with a gardening tool.

On Sunday, the player who can keep his ball on the fairways and putt those nervy slick greens will walk off with the trophy. It might just be an old player at The Players Championship.

−The Armchair Golfer

The Armchair Golfer Visits the Masters

Yesterday I made my first-ever trip to Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters Tournament. It was Monday, the first practice day. Following are a few photos to get started. More to come.


Departing: The Armchair Golfer and daughters.


My Masters companion, author John Coyne. To the right, behind John, is Sergio Garcia's caddie. In the background is the Augusta National clubhouse and Crow's Nest.


This is a guy who was out on the course early, practicing his putting on the 5th green. I have some more photos of him I'll share later.

−The Armchair Golfer

Will K.J. Choi Win a Major?

In solid wire-to-wire fashion, K.J. Choi won the Sony Open in Hawaii, his seventh PGA Tour title. The Sony Open doesn’t have the toughest field, but a Tour win is a Tour win. These guys are good, after all.

Choi is winning with more regularity, and his name now pops up as a potential major winner. Jack Nicklaus said keep an eye on K.J. after Choi won Jack’s Memorial tournament last May. Then Choi won again at Tiger’s tournament, the AT&T National in July, completing the Jack-Tiger Slam.

Even before Choi went the distance and won at Waialae Country Club on Sunday, major talk was a part of his Sony press conferences.

Was winning a major one of his goals? Yes, it was.

Why not? Choi seems to have the game for the majors, especially on tough U.S. Open setups. His short game is quite strong. Moreover, K.J. appears to have the resiliency and resolve needed to survive the sterner tests in golf.

Last year Choi finished in a tie for eighth at the British Open at Carnoustie, a good showing. He has four top tens in majors, including a third at the 2004 Masters. Choi's Sony win lifts him two spots to No. 7 in the world ranking.

But here’s the thing. While many players who win multiple times on Tour set a goal to win a major, few actually do.

Choi deserves consideration but isn’t in the can’t-miss category (if there is such a thing) reserved for players such as Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson (before he finally won at the Masters).

I’d love to see K.J. win a major -- he would be a popular champion -- but I’m not at all certain about his chances. He’s just one of many awaiting his turn. And there aren’t many turns.

The Armchair Golfer

2007 Putt of the Year

Sergio Garcia came close at Carnoustie.
(Brian Doyle/Flickr)

Golf Central is running an online poll to determine the putt of the year.

And the nominees are...

• Zach Johnson's birdie on the 15th hole during the first round of The Barclays
• Tiger Woods' 70-footer on the ninth hole during the first round of the TOUR Championship
• Tiger Woods' birdie on the eighth hole during the last round of the PGA Championship
• Tadd Fujikawa's eagle on the 18th hole during the second round of the Sony Open
• Padraig Harrington's double bogey to force a playoff at the British Open

OK, I have a confession. I don’t remember much about any of these. There’s an obvious reason: I didn’t see all of them. The ones I did see apparently weren’t that memorable, or else senility is setting in, or a little of both.

Here's my nomination for putt of the year, with a twist...

It’s a putt that didn’t drop. Had it gone in, it would have changed everything for one talented but tortured young player.

• Sergio Garcia’s eight-foot par putt on the 72nd green to win the British Open

Garcia’s effort burned the edge. Heading into 2008 Sergio still has the “Never Won a Major” monkey riding his back.

Watch video clips of Golf Central’s putt of the year nominees here.

The Armchair Golfer

Jack Nicklaus to Youth: Don’t Just Play Golf

Sergio Garcia and Greg Norman watch Jack Nicklaus tee off.
(Gunnsteinn Jónsson/Flickr)

In a story published yesterday at Golf.com, Jack Nicklaus said that specializing in golf at a young age is idiotic.

“To play all the sports is great,” Jack was quoted as saying. “I played everything. My dad played everything. Golf to me was just another sport until I was about 19. When I won the National Amateur at 19, I finally said, ‘Hmm, I must be a little better than I think I am.’”

Added Nicklaus: “Eventually, if you want to specialize in something, that's fine. But go out and enjoy, and be happy to be able to play other things.”

The Armchair Golfer

Tomorrow: Interview with Fred Hawkins, who talks about competing with Ben Hogan.

Drivers Used by the World's 10 Best Golfers

No. 10
K.J. Choi, South Korea
Driver: Nike SasQuatch Sumo2 (8.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 284.1 yards (T133)
Driving Accuracy: 64.71% (66th)
Total Driving Rank: T111

No. 9
Rory Sabbatini, South Africa
Driver: Nike SasQuatch Sumo
Average Drive Distance: 289.9 yards (T82)
Driving Accuracy: 59.14% (148th)
Total Driving Rank: 156th

No. 8
Sergio Garcia, Spain
Driver: TaylorMade r7 SuperQuad TP (8.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 294.2 yards (53rd)
Driving Accuracy: 56.28% (171st)
Total Driving Rank: 155th

No. 7
Padraig Harrington, Ireland
Driver: Wilson Dd6+ (7.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 293.2 yards (60th)
Driving Accuracy: 57.52% (158th)
Total Driving Rank: T146

No. 6
Adam Scott, Australia
Driver: Titleist Pro Titanium 907 D2 (8.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 300.9 yards (16th)
Driving Accuracy: 59.17% (146th)
Total Driving Rank: T49

No. 5
Steve Stricker, United States
Driver: Titleist Pro Titanium 905T (8.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 283.7 yards (138th)
Driving Accuracy: 63.73% (81st)
Total Driving Rank: T149

No. 4
Ernie Els, South Africa
Driver: Callaway FT-I (8.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 297.9 yards (30th)
Driving Accuracy: 56.99% (164th)
Total Driving Rank: T103

No. 3
Jim Furyk, United States
Driver: TaylorMade r7 SuperQuad TP (10.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 279.7 yards (T164)
Driving Accuracy: 74.37% (2nd)
Total Driving Rank: T58

No. 2
Phil Mickelson, United States
Driver: Callaway FT-5 Tour (8.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 298 yards (29th)
Driving Accuracy: 56.73% (167th)
Total Driving Rank: T105

No. 1
Tiger Woods, United States
Driver: Nike SasQuatch Tour 460 (8.5°)
Average Drive Distance: 302.4 yards (11th)
Driving Accuracy: 59.83% (T133)
Total Driving Rank: T31

(Note: Only Furyk, Stricker and Choi crack the top 100 in accuracy. Without a doubt, professional golf is a power game.)

The Armchair Golfer

(Source: Golf.com)

Justin Rose Continues Climb

Playing yesterday in the shadow of Tiger Woods, Justin Rose had another solid finish at the BMW Championship.

As reported by BBC SPORT, the 27-year-old Rose is now Britain’s top golfer, climbing to No. 13 in the world rankings. Rose overtook Englishman Luke Donald who said he has been struggling with his game in recent weeks.

Padraig Harrington (7th) and Sergio Garcia (11th) are the only Europeans ahead of Rose in the world rankings.

Rose seems like he’s been around forever. That’s because, in a way, he has. Justin turned pro at 18 the day after making quite a splash at the 1998 British Open at Royal Birkdale. Rose finished fourth in that Open while playing as an amateur.

Now Rose appears to have the skills and maturity to win a major. And Harrington’s win at Carnoustie can only serve as encouragement.

Today at Down the Middle:
TW, the Ultimate Golfing Machine

Paula Creamer Q&A:
Tomorrow at Down the Middle. Here on Wednesday.

The Armchair Golfer

Crazed Statistician Highjacks CBS Golf Coverage

Sergio Garcia at The Barclays. (Photo courtesy of John Coyne)

I like the new high-tech PGA Tour scoreboards as shown alongside Sergio Garcia in the above photo. I had read about them but didn't see them live until I attended the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro a week ago. They add a nice dimension to the tournament experience.

As for the crazed statistician, did anyone else wonder why CBS considered it necessary to display the projected FedEx Cup rankings for seemingly every stroke played in the final round of The Barclays?

(Birdie, 19th. Par, 85th. Bogey, Nationwide Tour.)

Look, I like the idea. I just don't need to see it on every putt.

Q&A: Author John Coyne
This week I will have a Q&A with John Coyne, author of The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan. Read it tomorrow at Down the Middle. Read it here on Wednesday.

The Armchair Golfer

Sweet Dreams, Sergio

As I write this it's 3 a.m. in Carnoustie, Scotland. Sergio Garcia is fast asleep. (Hopefully.)

Garcia has a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the British Open. He has led wire-to-wire with rounds of 65, 71 and 68. Steve Stricker, who shot a record-tying 64 in the third round, is his nearest competitor. Everyone else is at least six shots back.

Tomorrow is the biggest day of Sergio's career. I identify Garcia's toughest opponent and offer a final-round game plan at Down the Middle.

The Armchair Golfer