A look at the contenders for the Open Championship
On the 19th of July, the whole of the golf world will come to a standstill, especially the fans and the media especially. On that day, the world’s oldest golf tournament, the Open Championship, will tee off with 156 players taking to the field.
The event has a history that dates back to 1860.
This year’s Open is being played in Lancashire at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. This is one of the most prized tournaments of the year, with each and every player fighting for a place to write his name in the record books.
It is the third major of the year after the Masters and the US Open. Hardly a week is left till the event tees off.
Let us take a look at the golfers who stand a chance at the Open Championship.
No British player has won the Open since 1969, when Anthony Jacklin won in dramatic fashion. Lee Westwood and Luke Donald carry the hopes of the Englishmen at the Open.
Lee Westwood is the third best golfer of the world but in his 19-year old career he has no major wins. This will be the 58th major tournament in which he will be featuring and this might be his time.
Lee’s best finish in any major was the runner-up position in 2010, at the Masters and the Open. Ernie Els has also stated that this might be Lee’s year because he has the game to nail the event.
The golf course also suits Westwood’s game. To be successful at the tournament, one must be a good driver and Lee is one of the best drivers on the tour. He just has to putt well to pull up a result at this course.
Luke Donald, currently the best golfer of the world, also carries the hope of Britain. Like his fellow countryman Westwood, he also has not been able to a win a major in his career.
He too has a bright chance this time around. Luke is currently playing at the Scottish Open in a bid to defend his title but he has been in fine nick recently.
Rory Mcllroy, the boy who dazzled the golfing scene last year has not been doing that well since 2011. Rory is currently at the second spot in world rankings but the Irishman is more eager than ever to win the Open.
Mcllroy has been in the press recently regarding his affair with the Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Experts believe it is his relationship with the Danish blonde that has affected his game but he has denied this claim on many occasions.
Rory too has a very solid all-round game and with a little bit of luck, the Irishman can certainly land in his first Open crown.
Last but not the leas,t how can we forget Tiger Woods? The guy has been in supreme form this season, landing in three titles, which is more than any other golfer.
Tiger is currently chasing the record of the most number of major wins held by Jack Nicklaus, who has 18 major victories. Tiger currently has 14 major titles and he is more determined than ever to win his 15th major title.
The world number four missed the cut at the Greenbrier Classic but it might be an advantage as he got more time to practise for the Open.
Tiger’s short game was giving him some problems but with a change in atmosphere things might turn around for him at the Open.
Then there are the likes of Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson, and Francesco Molinari who can provide healthy competition.
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