The Open Preview

Seemed like the US Open just ended, but here we are gearing up for another major. We’ve been quiet on the golf front for a month, but the season is ramping up once again, thanks to this week’s Open Championship (British Open). This event, of course, is the only major outside the US. This year, it will be held in Scotland, at Muirfield. We’ll begin our preview by answering some tough questions:

1. How will last week’s winners, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson, fair this week?

Andrew – Both players have played solid golf this year, culminating in great wins over this past weekend. As for the Open, I like Phil’s chances, but not Jordan’s. Jordan simply doesn’t have enough experience in the majors, let alone in the Open, which is completely different than the golf he’s used to. As for Phil, he’s played well in this tourney before, and his win last week was on a similar course. This could be his time to win his first Open.

Greg – Last week's winners will have very different results. I do not believe that Speith will make the cut, but Mickelson should be in the hunt from start to finish, as he's not even bringing a driver with him again (that served him very well at Merion). If he putts well, he should be in the hunt.

2. Where would you rank Muirfield as an Open venue?

Andrew – In terms of history, it’s #2 behind St. Andrew’s. As for the course, it’s my favorite and the best test. I mean, look at the list of winner’s here: Faldo, Watson, Trevino, Nicklaus, Player, Els, Hagen, Vardon, etc. The best courses bring the best players to the top, and you don’t find a better list than that.

Greg – I've not actually watched an Open played at Muirfield yet, but from everything I've read it seems to rank just behind St. Andrews as an Open championship venue. The winners at this course have a pretty rare trait in common: every winner of the Open at Muirfield is in the Golf Hall of Fame. No other venue can say that.

3. How will Tiger Wood’s elbow injury and time off affect his performance?

Andrew – The time off helped the elbow but I think hurts his golf. He’s hit the ball fairly well this year but he may come in a bit rusty. This course should set up well for him, but I don’t love his chances. Any time in the rough could re-injure the elbow, and I don’t think he’ll be sharp enough following his month off. For the first time in a long time, I’m not picking him.

Greg – Tiger's elbow will affect him when he hits it into the rough. The rough won't be as bad here as it was at Merion, but it will still be a factor. The two tournaments that he has played with his injury were two of the worst of his entire career. If he is not fully healthy he will not contend here.

4. Will we have another first time major winner, like Rose and Scott so far this season?

Andrew – I say yes. Sergio, Westwood, Donald, Kuchar, Poulter, Stricker, and many others are great players out there yet to win a major. I think the pattern holds and we’ll have another great player win their first one here. I don’t think it will be a no name though, but somebody ranked in the top 25 in the world.

Greg – No, this course's history does not suggest a first time winner. A major winner (likely multi-major winner) will walk away from this Open with another Claret Jug.

Now for our normal preview:

Key Holes

The Par 5’s – There are three par 5’s on the course (#’s 5, 9, and 17). All of these holes are drivable in two for most players, but all of them present trouble. Like any hole on the course, well-placed bunkers and deep rough await wayward drives and approaches. These holes are critical though to take advantage of, especially #17 coming down the stretch on Sunday.

#1/#10 – It is imperative to start a round on the right foot. Everybody will tee off from #1 to start their rounds on each day, and that’s fairly tricky… #1 is a fairly lengthy par 4 that bends to the right. #10 opens the tricky back nine in a similar fashion. It’s a touch longer but it doesn’t bend to the right quite as severely.

#14/#15/#18 – Everybody loved seeing the tough closing stretch at the US Open at Merion. Well, you will see a similar tough stretch here. 16 and 17 may not be massively brutal, but 14, 15, and 18 are. All three are long par 4’s that if playing into the wind will bring on some high scores. As much as guys will be teeing off with less than driver, they may have to pull the big stick a time or two on these holes.

Pick 5 Challenge

For those who are not familiar, for each PGA Tour event we pick 5 players in different categories that we think will do well. Andrew leads the competition so far this year 1383 to 1223. Just like at the Masters and the Players, this week our categories are based on age, we changed it slightly however. We must pick one player in each of these age ranges: 20’s, 30-34, 35-39, 40+, and a free choice. Here are our picks:

Greg's Picks

20’s: Webb Simpson

30-34: Graeme McDowell

35-39: Tiger Woods

40+: Ernie Els

Free Choice: Phil Mickelson

Yeah, my picks are all chalk. Who cares?

Andrew's Picks

20’s: Billy Horschel

30-34: Graeme McDowell

35-39: Matt Kuchar

40+: Ernie Els

Free Choice: Lee Westwood

So mad to find out we picked two guys the same, and I didn’t even pick Tiger!

Players to Watch

Greg – Ernie Els: Won last year's Open and his game fits this venue very well. Adam Scott: Should have won the Open last year but broke through at this year's Masters. Phil Mickelson: Is playing well and comes off of a victory at the Scottish Open. Graeme McDowell: He’s a major winner and this course will play to his strengths.

Andrew – I’m intrigued by Sir Nick Faldo. He’s now a full time golf analyst, but I’m sure he still has some game. Plus, he’s won on this tournament on this course twice. Nobody will know the course better and we’ve seen older players get in the mix in majors recently (Watson, Couples, etc.). I’m sure he’d like nothing more than to make the cut, or maybe be on the leaderboard at some point this weekend.

Americans vs. Internationals

Greg – As you can see from my list above, I'm going with the international flavor this week. This course has historically favored the international style of game and I think that trend continues this week.

Andrew – I’ve gone with the Americans nearly every time on this question due to the fact we’ve dominated the PGA Tour this season. However, internationals have dominated the majors in 2013. It wouldn’t shock me at all if an American wins, but I’m going to answer here by siding with the Internationals. It’s their tournament after all.

Intriguing Early Pairings

Greg – 1. Bubba Watson, Nicolas Colsaerts, Dustin Johnson: Will be interested to see how the players who are not teeing off first in this group learn from the way the first players' shots play with the extreme firmness of the ground at Muirfield. Also, how many greens are driveable for this group?

2. Ian Poulter, Keegan Bradley, Billy Horschel: When I first saw this group I couldn't help but think this was a lineup card for a celebrity boxing match. These guys will be fun to watch as their competitive fire will be flowing.

3. Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Phil Mickelson: Rory, Phil, and....who? Exactly.

4. Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen: This is a great group. McDowell will play well since he is paired with Woods… he always does.

Andrew – I’ve nicknamed the following groups that I can’t wait to watch:

“The Bombers” – Bubba Watson, Nicolas Colsaerts, Dustin Johnson

“The Oldies” – Sir Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Fred Couples

“The Ryder Cup Rivalry” – Ian Poulter, Keegan Bradley (and also Billy Horschel)

“The Internationals” – Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia

“The Young Guns” – Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero, Hunter Mahan

“The Favorites” – Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen

Like always, let us know your thoughts. Feel free to pick five guys yourself and compete against us. Let us know what you are looking forward to. And don't miss the action, particularly on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

By: The Sports Guys