Watson Leads, Woods Misses Cut at '09 British Open - Whoulda Thunk?

With Tiger Woods an incredible prohibitive favorite to win the 2009 British Open, betting houses were scrambling to come up with parlay bets to fill the void and attract some action. I doubt if any of them came up with the scenario of Tom Watson leading the thing at the halfway mark and Tiger Woods reading Golf Magazine on his private jet home, looking for swing tips. Legendary Old Tom Morris was 46 when he won the the last of his Open Championships. What does that make Watson at 59? Fill in adjective here _____. Then again, Watson has five claret jugs, which aside from making him an expert in links golf, affords him more jugs than my first strip club encounter. That would make his chances better than any 59 year old on the planet.

Woods' would have spent the day in the woods at my course. Be that as it may, he struggled mightily off the tee, which sealed a fate no one could rally from. His tee ball on the 8th hole was a 200 yard balloon right followed by a tee shot on the 9th that went righter than Reagan. That ball was was ultimately not found and just added to the calamity of errors that described his round today. I kind of enjoyed the fact that even the world's best player has days when he can't, for the life of him, hit it even remotely straight. Don't feel too bad though. He's still a kabillionaire with two babies and a Swedish model waiting for him with open arms. The only one that should be worried might be Hank Haney. I jest. The only problem with Woods' swing is consistent execution. I'm no teaching pro, but I noticed that he seemed to take a pronounced dip on his downswing, especially with the longer clubs. Unfortunately, I don't expect Tiger to be reading this article.

Watson survived five front nine bogeys to post an even par 70. After a reported pep talk by playing partner Sergio Garcia, he proceeded to blow up the back nine, playing the final 10 holes in 4 under par. The exclamation points came when he netted a 75 ft. bomb of a putt on the 16th hole, then verified it on 18 with a 45 footer. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could win,” Watson said. Nuff' said I reckon. That left him tied with Steve Marino, whose superb 68 in blustery conditions, was overshadowed by Watson's effort. Don't look now Tom, a host of players are within striking distance going into moving day. Mark Calcavecchia is one back at -4 and the group of Fisher, Goosen, Jiminez, Vijay Singh, and Kenichi Kuboya are knotted at -3.

Unfortunately this Average Golfer will be moving tomorrow as well. I'll be driving to a wedding in Connecticut during the telecast of round three. As luck would have it, I'll be returning at a similar time for round four. You'd think my family would have at least a modicum of consideration when planning their events. It's not like the schedule for the Open Championship was announced last week!

Enjoy the rest of the Open Championship where I cannot. I'll live vicariously through y'all and pretend to have a good time.



Til' next,

2009 British Open Odds and Picks

I prefer to call this event "The Open Championship", as it rightly is dubbed, but I've discovered that more people perform a web search for the British Open. So I'm a slave to web traffic, sue me.

This year's rendering of the classic event is to be held at Turnberry, not the most frequent venue in the rota, but one that's produced some notable winners, namely Watson, Norman, and Price. Playing at just over 7,200 yards to a par 70, the course has undergone some changes since last held here in 1994. Most evident are some added bunkers and green enhancement will serve to increase the challenge that is links golf, a unique challenge, especially when Mother Nature rears her head, a distinct possibility in these parts of the world. Weather, (read rain), and wind can change the character of this contest and turn it into an exercise in survival rather than a comparison of perfect golf shots. Turnberry is one of the few where errant shots can land in the sea. Pebblesque you might say.

That all said, let's boil down the field and pick some possible winners. I'll handicap the top 17 with current odds supplied by Ladbrokes, noted betting house, with more than a vested interest in this event, the quintessential European contest. Ready? Let's get going......

Tiger Woods, 3:1 - What can you say? World's best, smallest odds. Only negative, never played here. Practice rounds this week will have to suffice. Game transitions to links rather well. Should win.

Sergio Garcia, 21:1 - Don't understand the 2nd least odds. Not exactly peaking. Could win I suppose. Probably won't.

Ian Poulter, 26:1 - Like him better than Garcia. That makes him a could win without the "I suppose."

Lee Westwood, 26:1 - Overdue for a major. Bit of a home field advantage with no name Scots in the mix. Might win.

Padraig Harrington, 26:1 - Going for 3rd consecutive British. Too bad he's slumped of late. Great time to break out. Won't however.

Rory McIlroy, 26:1 - Extreme talent. If in contention will have to deal with pressure cooker. Will win plenty, just not this one.

Anthony Kim, 34:1 - Not sure he can adjust his ball flight downward in expected wind. Better on target courses. Won't win.

Hunter Mahan, 34:1 - Last round was a 62. Coming into his own. May very well win.

Henrik Stenson, 34:1 - I figure him as a contender whenever/wherever he tees it. Needs to overcome major hump. Split on Henrik, not sure.

Jim Furyk, 34:1 - Can't ever overlook him. Don't think he can, but wouldn't surprise.

Martin Kaymer, 34:1 - Coming off a win last week. Brilliant at times. It's possible.

Paul Casey, 34:1 - Should be one of the favorites in my opinion. Could win.

Ernie Els, 41:1 - Maybe the Ernie of years ago. Not this Ernie. Won't win.

Geoff Ogilvy, 41:1 - Rather pedestrian year so far for Geoff. Still, if you can win one major....... Could win.

Ross Fisher, 41:1 - Nice player. As close to a home game as he'll get. Can't win, but wish he could.

Retief Goosen, 41:1 - Surprised to see him this far down the list. Game's coming around. Major wins in his resume. Could win.

Steve Stricker, 41:1 - Strick just won. Coming in hot, but a couple days late to see the course. Possible, but doubt it.

2009 Open Championship Full Field.


Average Golfer makes his selections.........

Sentimental Picks

1. David Duval
2. John Daly
3. Paul Goydos

Dark Horse Picks

1. Graeme McDowell
2. Angel Cabrera
3. Thongchai Jaidee

*** Winning Picks, Top Three ***

1. Tiger Woods
2. Lee Westwood
3. Hunter Mahan


There you have 'em. As usual, free, gratis. Consider them a part of my repaying a debt to society.

Bet early and often.



Til' next,


*Average Golfer aside.......Make a bundle! Nick Faldo goes off at 2001:1