Tournament: The 142nd British Open Championship
Date: July 18-21, 2013
Course: Muirfield-Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland
TV: Thu-Fri Golf Channel, ESPN Thu-Fri 4am-3pm, Sat 7am-3pm, and Sun 6am-3pm ALL EST.
by Tim, PGA Golf Handicapper, Predictem.com
Oh, before we start; “I told ya’ Speith would win this year!” Okay; that’s done! The British Open welcomes all players to Muirfield this weekend. It isn’t really an “Open” tournament like the US Open but; who cares? There’s a lot of history at this course overlooking the Firth of Forth; Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, Jack Nicklaus, Watson and Trevino are past Champions here. I like saying “Firth of Forth”; the “Firth” is a bird estuary and the “Forth” means—from the River Forth. This week’s event will be the 16th time Muirfield has hosted the Open. The course measures 7,245 yards (6,625 meters) from the tips and is quite a bit different than other Open venues. Most UK Links courses play towards then away from the ocean. Muirfield plays in a clockwise/counter-clockwise fashion. The idea, unique to Open venues, is to make the wind change direction on each hole for the Players. Yes, Muirfield sports deep-dish pot bunkers, and the love grass (long grass to hide in), but the course isn’t overly tricked-up like the other rotational stops. Let’s look at the Top contenders and see who might come out on top at this life-changing tournament!
Tiger Woods. Tiger WoodsTiger Woods? Let’s come back to him. John Daly pulled out of the event Monday because of an elbow problem (Daly’s a Copier!). Bubba Watson is playing but he really has no chance; he hits the ball too high and moves it too much. Watson may be in contention at some point, but the wind will destroy at least one round andI question his heart. Colsaerts? Maybe; he hits the ball a long way, has good touch, and came close to breaking out in the US Open. Justin Rose has a fantastic shot to win if he’s rested and energized from the mental torture after winning the US Open. Kaymer is rock solid and plays well in Major Tournaments (Hate that phrase “Majors”; goofy). Jason Day is spectacular and showed up huge at not only the Masters this year but the US Open. Dustin Johnson is in love with himself and can’t focus; no chance. Rory McIlroy is still hanging on to those Nike irons, driver, putter, and ball and will not win. Nick FaldoNick Faldo? What?? Ummm, “NO!” Angel Cabrera is here. Angel is tough as nails and can hit any shot ever imagined. I love him here. Padraig Harrington; no chance. Michael Thompson? Mike can’t break wind or 79 here. Henrik Stenson is a “You Bet!” Stenson’s a Bulldog competitor and a fabulous player. Stenson is ready to win the ‘Big One’ right now. Tiger WoodsTiger Woods? HmmmI like Graeme McDowell a lot here. He’s runnin’ hot from his US Open disaster and has shown a ton of heart kicking it around on the European Tour since the Open. Michelson? Nope—too stupid. Adam Scott? He lost his game and is searching for the “Edge” that put him in the Masters Winner’s Circle (Plus, The Lord will not permit Greg Norman to gloat anymore!). Lee Westwood? As mentioned in previous articles, “Always a Bride’s Maid, never a Bride”. Finally; Luke Donald. Luke is pretty good, has a great intuition about golf, but since he ‘Clocked’ that girl volunteer in the noggin’ at Merion, he looks like an elderly woman in LA traffic at quitting time”Feel the Force Luke.” Luke can’t win now; his head is mush.
Tiger. He’s got it all; except the moral imperative and complete focus. I say “No.” I took him as a favorite at the Masters, at Jack’s Tourney (imploded), at Merion, completely hacked it around, so I’ve learned my lesson. Tiger’s like that really hot chick that you finally get a date with and she explodes during dinner because the butter is not smooth enough. I’m thinking: Jason Day, Henrik Stenson, Angel Cabrera, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Kaymer, and Colsearts are the best picks at Muirfield. Ohhh, and one last bit of advice; “Watch out for Ryan Moore” Let’s whittle these weee Players down a bit more.
Short Favorite: Graeme McDowell (22 Odds to 1 to Win)
You could tell that McDowell was Hot at the US Open. I watched him at a few European events afterwards and. Although he wasn’t tearing it up, he was Grinding hard. He won at Harbour Town this year which is pretty close to what he’ll be getting into at Muirfield. I just think McDowell is true Champion on a mission.
Middle of the Road: Henrik Stenson (33 Odds to 1 to Win)
Stenson is always around in Major tournaments. He contends, then fades, then contends again. He might get it right all week? I’m thinking he gets it right this week.p>
Longshot: Angel Cabrera (100 Odds to 1 to Win)
Cabrera is just a tough, never give up warrior carrying every golf shot in the bag around with him. He’ll compete, and if Cabrera can keep the ball in play, he can win.
Head to Head Matches *Picks to win based on final score after all four rounds. Check out your favorite online betting site for single round matches and a variety of prop bets.
Justin Rose vs. Adam Scott (our pick to win: Justin Rose)
I think Adam Scott is Julia Robert’s alter ego. Scott, I believe, is a one hit wonder. Rose, on the other hand, is awesome.
Padraig Harrington vs. Thomas Bjorn (our pick to win: Thomas Bjorn)
Bjorn will place somewhere between 20th and 40th. Harrington, ‘Mr. Shark Eyes’, will place his rear end in a train seat back to Heathrow on Friday. Bjorn in a laugher.
