Capelle On Golf

British Open Coverage

To the winner of this week’s British (Wide) Open goes the Claret Jug and not an asterisk as many have be led to believe. Every winner also gets the first place check, endorsements, recognition, and a place in the history books, but a win means even more to those who are playing for history. Here is a rundown on those who have the most to gain.

Phil Mickelson Proves he’s a Global Player
A win in the British Open would elevate him to a 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 Modern Era (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 show the world that he can adapt his game to links style golf.
A win would pull him to within 6-4 of Woods since 2004.

Ernie Els is an Open Superstar
A second British Open would give him a career Open double – US and British – two each.
A win would tie him with Ray Floyd for ninth most majors in 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 a major since winning the PGA in 2004. He is in the twilight of a great career, but he could take a huge leap 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 three different majors club.
A win would end a 14 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 the nine member triple major winners club in the ME.
A win would place his name on the trophies of the two Opens.
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 first British Open. Closes in on the Hall of Fame.
Trevor Immelman – Joins a select group of double major winners in a single season.
Angel Cabrera – A British Open would enable him to join Curtis Strange (1988-1989) as the only back-to
Padraig Harrington – He would join Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, and Tiger Woods as the only British Open winners to defend their title.
Justin Leonard – Two British Opens would put him even with Greg Norman. Close to the HOF.
Geoff Ogilvy – His second major would complete the lifetime US and British Open double.
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 (injured wrist) – Lee Westwood