Capelle On Golf

British Open Coverage

Mickelson vs. Els Fails to Materialize
I wrote yesterday that the battle for number two in the Woods Era between Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson could be settled at the British Open – or possibly at the PGA thanks in part to Tiger’s absence. According to the old saying, a player can’t win a major the first day, but he can lose it. So, if history is any guide, both Els (80) and Mickelson (79) blew their chance in the first round.

Since 1958, only five players have opened with a 75 and gone on to win a major, and none have won with an opening score of 76 or greater. If history holds true, other big names who shot themselves out of the tournament include Geoff Ogilvy (77), Justin Leonard (77), Steve Stricker (77), and Vijay Singh (80).

Watson and Norman Shine
Five times British Open winner Tom Watson, age 58, drew the worst of the cold, windy, and rainy weather, teeing off in the seventh group. Still, he managed to carve out a 74 even though he couldn’t reach three of the par 4s. Then along comes 53 year old Greg Norman with an even par 70, which leaves him at 4t, one back of a trio at 69. Apparently Norman’s recent marriage to Chris Evert and her words of encouragement have breathed life into his dormant game.

Their scores and the wretched play of Els and Mickelson underscore what Nicklaus and others have been saying for so long: that the next best players of the Woods Era don’t come close to comparing with those of the Nicklaus Era.

Why Tiger Wouldn’t Have Won or
Why there is No Need for an Asterisk
Prior to this week’s British Open the pundits have argued that an asterisk must go next to the winner’s name because Tiger’s not playing. After the first round, we can dismiss such talk. Here’s why: Tiger Woods is lousy in bad weather. In the 1998 Open at Birkdale he shot a 77 in the third round in rainy weather similar to today’s. Then, at the 2002 Open at Muirfield, he carded an 82 in the third round in nasty weather to blow his chances of winning the third leg of the slam.

Woods, with his customary early-for-TV tee time on Thursday would have caught the worst of the weather, leading to a repeat of these disasters. He would have had to use his driver thanks to the moist and windy conditions. And because of the narrower fairways than in 1998, and to the brutal cross winds, it is easy to imagine that a number of his drives would have ended up deep in double bogey territory.

The Golf Gods Owe Rocco Mediate One
Rocco Mediate gives the distinct impression that he left Torrey Pines as a winner in his eyes and those of the fans and the media despite losing the playoff. With better health and a shot of confidence from the Open, his continuing to play the best of his life. In the first round he opened 69, tying him for first with Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby. That means that over the last 90 holes of regulation play in major championship competition he’s tied for the best score.

Rocco’s head looks like a bobble head doll when he talks and at times he seems like a space cadet, but it’s impossible not to like the guy. The fans do, and maybe the golf gods will too this week. In a championship that rewards luck like no other, after the US Open he’s due for a bit more than his share.

How Good is Graeme McDowell?
McDowell won the Barclays Scottish Open last week, the Ballantine’s Championship in March, has a third and a two fifths to his credit this season. He’s ranked 29th in the world, he’s second on the European Order of Merit, his GIR is 71%, and he’s young enough (28) to be a member of the under 30 breakout club. Oh, and he’s tied for first with a 69 in the Open. So why is he completely off the radar screen? Is he golf’s best kept secret?

Look for a Second Round Flip Flop
In the morning the winds blew, it was in the mid 50s, and the rain was coming down sideways into the player’s faces. No wonder so many imploded. According to the announcers the course played 3-4 shots easier in the afternoon. The same weather conditions are expected for tomorrow. If so, then it’s going to take another 18 holes before we know for sure who the real leaders are.

Graphic of the Day: Most Consecutive Majors
I enjoyed this graphic, which spoke volumes about Jack Nicklaus love and devotion to the majors. I’ve added a couple of names just for some perspective.
Most Consecutive Majors
146 Jack Nicklaus
87 Tom Watson
70 Davis Love III
65 Nick Faldo
46 Tiger Woods
13 Kenny Perry