British Open Predictions

The Open Championship is just a few days away. Regarded by many as THE Open, it is one of those events that is worthy of more than just a cursory examination. The staff here at The Sand Trap thought it fitting to wax prophetic about the British Open and, therefore, I humbly submit to you our “2005 British Open Predictions.”

Erik J. Barzeski
Winner: Tiger Woods. He’ll find a bunker or two along the way and won’t quite dominate as much as he did in 2000, but he’ll win by two shots.

Sleeper: Darren Clarke will finish in the top ten, five shots back of Tiger.

Disappointment: Phil Mickelson will be in danger of missing the cut (but finish three strokes clear) before managing only a T37 or so.

Donald MacKenzie
Winner: Padraig Harrington. The Irish and Scots don’t always get along, but they’ll all be happy that a son of the British Isles claims the Claret Jug. Paddy’s got the length, short game, foul-weather experience and momentum.

Sleeper: Phil Mickelson. How can Phil be a sleeper at any major? Well, he’s never been a factor at the British Open. He has the best imagination in the game, which comes in handy on the Old Course, and he’s learned how to hit the low cut to cheat the wind.

Disappointment: Tiger Woods. Like Augusta, the Old Course sets up perfectly for Tiger. But how much confidence do you (or does he) have in his putter right now? On the huge double greens of St. Andrews, you don’t have a chance if you’re not rolling the rock with authority.

Dave Koster
Winner: Jim Furyk. Hasn’t made a cut since the last time at St. Andrews, but he’s playing some good golf now.

Sleeper: Tom Lehman. I think he’ll be on the first or second page of the leaderboard.

Disappointment: Vijay Singh. He hasn’t been putting very good lately. I think he’ll make the cut, but won’t be in contention at all. Tiger will be there all weekend, but he won’t rattle Furyk.

Jeff Smith
Winner: Tiger Woods. Tiger won the Masters and was very close at the U.S. Open. With his swing back on track, he is the man to beat. Putting won’t be a problem.

Sleeper: Sergio Garcia. With 6 top-10 finished in 2005 and a recent win at the Booz Allen Classic Garcia has reason to believe this is his year. He’ll be in the top 10.

Disappointment: Ernie Els. Call it tired from world travel, a slump, or whatever you want, but Els doesn’t inspire me right now and will finish 20th.

Josh Premuda
Winner: David Toms. He’s had a good year so far and I think he’s got the game to win at St. Andrews

Sleeper: Tim Clark. This guy has got game. I think we need to say there are 3 premier players from South Africa.

Disappointment: Phil Mickelson. I dont like him. I think he’ll choke and dont think he’s got the mental fortitude to deal with the conditions.

Cody Thrasher
Winner: Darren Clarke. He had a strong finish at the Open at St. Andrews in 2000, and he has held it together so far this year. Also, I picked him at the beginning of the year to win this event, and I’m sticking to it.

Sleeper: Nick O’Hern. He is a very steady player, both physically and emotionally. It takes both characteristics to do well at a British Open. He has also been playing solid golf the first half of 2005.

Disappointment: Phil Mickelson. For the first two days, he will have one bad round and one good round, leaving him in the middle of the pack. He might make a little charge, but I don’t see him finishing anywhere in the top 30.

Brian Whittaker
Winner: Ernie Els. The 2002 winner at Muirfield and runner-up last year at Royal Troon is looking for revenge. He has had an average season with five top-10 finishes.

Sleeper: Tiger Woods. Won in 2000 at St. Andrews with a record 19-under 269. Enough said.

Disappointment: Last year’s champion Todd Hamilton. He has missed six cuts and had only three top-25 finishes this year on the PGA Tour. Can anyone say “one-hit wonder”?

So ends our short foray into prognostication. We’ll see by Sunday which of the “Trappers” comes out on top.