The Open The Open at St. Andrews in Scotland, a par 72 measuring 7,305 yards, favors without a doubt, long hitters. There isn't a tree on the golf course. Sure you'll hear that there are bottle neck fairways and 13 feet thick Gorse, but the real truth is that there are many fairways that are 120 + yards wide (you could land a plane on these flat spots) and greens that are wider and larger than any in the sport. 150 foot putts are not uncommon.
Also, rain is expected 3 of the 4 tournament days which could become the main story of this Open and that will favor the long hitters even more. The last 3 Opens at St. Andrews have been won by John Daly and Tiger 2x.
I still don't see Tiger winning this year. His game isn't sharp enough. He left the UK to see his kids and did not stay to practice. He is changing putters for the first time in 11 years. I will not lay -580 that he will not win. I have played against him for [I]small[/I] with Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.
[B]Ryo Ishikawa -120 [/B]vs Shane Lowry
We cashed with Ryo last week. He didn't play his best and caught the worst of the draw with rain and wind, but that will help him prep for this week. Lowery a Scottsman will have much pressure this week and is very inconsistent. The linesmakers should never have matched these two, a major mismatch in class, World Ranking and Ryo can bomb it off the tee with anyone.
[B]Dustin Johnson -115 [/B]vs Zach Johnson
DJ is 'taylor made" for this track, long and straight. He will use his experience from the US Open which sets up much like a British Open and I expect this guy who is working with Butch Harmon and practicing with Phil Mickelson allot lately to have a strong week.
Zach on the other hand wins on tight, short courses like Colonial and Waialae and when the tough get going in harsh conditions, Zach is nowhere to be found.
[B]Alvaros Quiros +100 [/B]vs Miguel Angel Jimenez
They don't get much longer that Quiros, who was T12 LW at the Scottish Open. Conversely, MAJ missed the cut LW and with good reason. He won the Open de France Euro event the week before and here's a guy that always parties like it's 1999. MAJ also has a habit of throwing in the towel if he is not in contention, like his 72-78 last week at Loch Lomand.
[B]Winning 72 Hole Score UNDER 277.5[/B]
Under 277.5 is -10.5 under par. With rain and little wind fore-casted, the best players in the World should bring St. Andrews to it's knees.
