Favourites to Win 2010 British Open
With the British Open starting today at the infamous St. Andrews’ course, many bookies are placing their bets on rising, Irish star Rory McIlroy, while American professional golfer Phil Mickelson is betting on himself. A win at St Andrews would be a staple to his all-around glorious golfing career.
McIlroy is the Newbie to Beat at St Andrews
Rory McIlroy is only twenty-one years old and has never won a major, but after fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell’s unexpected win at this year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, he tells The Globe and Mail that he is fine with the pressure.
“I knew I’d come in here as hopefully one of the favourites but it doesn’t put any extra pressure on me because I know if I go out and play this golf course the way I know I can, I should have a good chance…I’ve played well here in the past and if I don’t let the occasion get the better of me, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to again.”
First off, Links’ golf (the oldest style of Scottish golf course) is something familiar to the young prodigy. In addition, looking back at previous winners like American golfer, John Daly in 1995 and Tiger Woods in 2000 and 2005, McIlroy’s long shot and aggressiveness place him as the newbie to beat.
Mickelson Plans to win The Open with his Long Game
Links golf is not as familiar to long-time American champ Mickelson, but the no. 2 ranked star tells The Globe and Mail that he finally understands how to play the game.
“I expect to play well here, I really do. I expect to be in contention.”
While some joke that a putter is all that is needed on the old greens of St Andrews, Mickelson agrees with McIlroy that a long drive will win him The Open, boasting to The Globe and Mail that this is a course on which he plans to win with his long game.
“There’s no question this one best suits my game because there’s so much more room off the tee than other Open venues. I don’t feel restrained on the tee at all.”
McDowell also a Favourite after a Remarkable Win at Pebble Beach
Buzz and praise surrounds Irish golfer Graeme McDowell today after his surprising win at the 2010 U.S. Open. Elite golfers, from Arnold Palmer to household name Greg Norman, are reaching out to congratulate him on his win and to wish him luck on the world’s oldest course.
McDowell is taking in the encouragement with humility and gratitude, telling The Globe and Mail: “The response I’ve had via email, voicemail, text, website ... from all kinds of players has been just amazing.”
McDowell cautiously adds, however, that he has to be careful not to let all of the attention get to his head: “How I deal with it in the long term boils down to decisions that I make, my schedule, big decisions like that…I’m very aware of the pitfalls, complacency, expectation levels, really trying to change my game now I’m a major champion - there’s all kinds of mistakes that guys have made in the past.”
McDowell will undoubtedly look to Major champions like South-African golfer Ernie Els and multiple Major winner, Padraig Harrington, for advice. These two prestigious golfers are also obvious contenders to take home the win, which means more to professional golfers than winning any other Open.
The New Swing is Choi’s Happy Gilmore
South Korean golfer, Choi Kyung-Ju, known as K.J. Choi, turned professional in 1994 and since then has won 17 professional golf tournaments including the PGA Tour.
His start at the tee is as every other golfer’s stance should be but as he faces the hole, he swings his right leg to the left of the ball and spreads out his hands on the club. What he does when he swings is completely legitimate and resembles something similar to the Happy Gilmore golf swing of the croquet world.
Choi is confident that his new style could bring him the coveted victory at The Open this year, defending it to The Globe and Mail: “I believe in the theory and I believe in the principle behind it. I've worked hard and I've practiced hard. I'm convinced this is the right way to go. I'm not looking back.”
Whether Choi’s bizarre swing, or McIlroy’s new-found confidence, or McDowell’s luck of the Irish, or Mickelson’s desire to win take home the victory at The Open, it is sure to be a compelling tournament to watch.
All bets are off as competitors from all over the world battle for a title that means the world to all professional golfers. Mickelson summarized this emphatically shared feeling to The Globe and Mail: “A career just doesn't feel complete unless you've won here at St. Andrews.”
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