Capelle On Golf

2008 US Open Coverage

To the winner of this week’s US Open go the spoils – the trophy, the first place check, endorsements, recognition, and a place in the history books. Every winner gets these goodies, but it can be argued that a win means more to those who are playing for history because it accomplishes so much more. Let’s start with Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods has a Lot Riding on the Open
Though the media is obsessed with 18 wins, at some point Woods’ record in the majors will come under closer scrutiny. It is not one number, but sum of four numbers that represent his wins in each of the four majors.
He’s won two Opens but hasn’t won one since 2002, so a win at Torrey Pines would enable him to break his slump in this event.
A win would give him his third career Grand Slam, tying him with Nicklaus.
A win would tie him with Irwin for the second most US Opens won in the Modern Era (ME - 1958 on).
A win would extend his streak of winning one or more majors to four years, tying him once again (1999-2002) with Nicklaus’ best (1970-1973).
A win would position him for another multiple major winning season.
A win would show that his knee is sound, silencing critics (such as myself) who questioned the timing of his surgery.
A win would put him two ahead of Nicklaus’ pace in 12 pro seasons.

Phil Mickelson’s Defining Moment
A win in the Open would probably mean more to Mickelson than any other player because it would catapult him to a whole new level on so many key measures of greatness.
A win would take him out of the nine player club that’s won three majors in the ME. He would be tied for ninth place at four with Ray Floyd. If you buy into the argument that THE PLAYERS is a tiebreaker, then he moves ahead of Floyd.
A win would enable him to join Nicklaus, Woods, Player, Watson, Palmer, Trevino and Floyd as the only players in the ME to win at least three different majors.
A win would end his open jinx and exorcise the ghosts of Winged Foot.
A win in his hometown in front of thousands of well wishers would have to be his sweetest of all.
A win would pull him to within 5-4 of Woods since 2004.

Ernie Els a Long Shot
It is hard to muster up as much enthusiasm for what a win at Torrey would mean for Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, the other members of the triple majors club, because I don’t feel either has much of a chance this year. Still, here are the facts.
A win would tie him with Ray Floyd for ninth most majors in the ME.
A win would give three Opens, tying him with Hale Irwin for the second most Opens of the ME.
A win would end his six year majorless stretch.
He would become a solid pick for the top 10 in the ME.

Vijay Singh’s Grand Finale
Singh has failed to record a top four in the majors since winning the PGA in 2004. He is in the twilight of a great career, one where he could take a huge leap up in the perceptions of the golf world if he were to win his final major at this week’s Open.
A win would tie him with Ray Floyd for ninth most majors in the ME.
A win would enable him to join that exclusive club I mentioned above that’s won three different majors.
A win would end a 13 major long stretch without a top four.
He would become a solid pick for the top 10 in the ME.

Retief Goosen Enters the Triple Majors Club
Retief Goosen is usually good for one excellent performance in the majors each year. If he won the Open he would join Irwin as one of three players in the ME to win three or more Opens.
A win would enable him to join the nine member triple major winners club in the ME.
A win would secure his place in the Hall of Fame. (Note: the four players mentioned previously are already guaranteed their spot in the HOF).

Enter the Double Majors Club
Jim Furyk – His second Open. Closes in on the Hall of Fame.
Trevor Immelman – Joins Palmer, Nicklaus, and Woods as the only players to win the first two majors of the year in the ME.
Angel Cabrera – His second Open would enable him to join Curtis Strange (1988-1989) as the only back-to-back winners in the ME.
Padraig Harrington – Winner of the US and British Open.
Justin Leonard - Winner of the US and British Open. Close to the HOF.
Geoff Ogilvy – His second Open.
Fred Couples – His second in a different major. Would clinch the HOF.
Mike Weir – His second in a different major.
Zach Johnson – His second in a different major.
David Toms – His second in a different major.

Break the Ice
They say the first one is the toughest. The members of this list of top 50 players would dearly love to get the major’s monkey off their back and start making some history of their own.
Sergio Garcia - Adam Scott - Stewart Cink - K.J. Choi - Anthony Kim - Justin Rose - Luke Donald