Westwood has got the game to triumph at Birkdale
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AS FRUSTRATED as I am to be missing the Open championship this week, my absence from Royal Birkdale will, at least, allow me to put my feet up and watch the world’s best – bar Tiger Woods, of course – take on the formidable challenge of links golf at its best.
My money is on Lee Westwood to continue his great run of form by lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday. Why? Because he is one of the best drivers of a golf ball, can shape a shot either left or right, is in great form with his putter and recently came so close to winning the US Open.
Westwood was one of the very best in the world, but went through a difficult spell. But he is through that now and is stronger for the experience of having suffered the dark side of the game.
The Liverpool links will be a formidable challenge for the field, from what I hear the course is green and lush which will provide its own problems, and the wind will blow. And blow.
Now Tiger might have won an Open without taking the driver out of the bag, but the course is a beast and distance off the tee, with less carry on the fairways than usual, means the big stick will be crucial.
I also have a feeling Sergio Garcia will be in contention once again. His form in the final round of the European Open when he scored a superb 66 in driving wind and rain at the London club largely went under the radar as Ross Fisher produced one of the great performances to win the tournament, but Sergio will feel he has unfinished business with the Open following the dramas of last year at Carnoustie.
My outside pick for a good finish is the Australian Richard Green.
Not long off the tee, Green is straight and hits a low ball, which could be especially important if conditions play as predicted.
Whoever wins, it promises to be an enthralling few days.
I wonder how Kenny Perry will be feeling as he tees it up in the US Bank Open in Milwaukee. The form golfer in the world, with three tournament wins in quick succession, he has decided against playing in England this week. The reason? He doesn’t like the cold and likes to play a high ball which he thinks will not be suitable to the Open.
No comment.
I was close to earning a place at Royal Birkdale with my performance in the final round of the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, but it was not to be as England’s Simon Khan pipped me for the final place.
Annoying, but I was delighted with my final round of 64, my best in more years than I care to remember.
My next tournament will be in Russia next week, the way the schedule pans out if I did not head east it would mean several weeks without picking up the clubs in anger.
At this time of the year that is a no-go.
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