| An open and shut Case-y for Woods’ win number 15? |
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And his disregard for where he is ranked in the driving accuracy category means narrow fairways and penal rough are not his ideal course combination. Last year’s victory at Torrey Pines was on a course he owned having already won the Buick Invitational six times on the South Course since turning pro in 1996. His only US Open win on a par 70 course came… yes you guessed it – here in front of a raucous The Big Apple’s most famous public course was set out at record busting 7,214 yards and in very wet conditions, Tiger simply out-muscled the field on his way to a three-shot victory over Phil Mickelson, who was backed by a partisan crowd. Now that Lefty is definitely playing while waiting for wife Amy to begin her treatment for breast cancer, the crowd will need no further encouragement to cheer on their all-American hero. While Tiger has the wow factor, for many blue collar New Yorkers clean-cut Phil’s boy-next-door image beats Woods all-conquering super athlete appeal hands down – it’s an American thing. A bit like the Brits always siding with the underdog.
And if he is in contention come Sunday, will the demons of Winged Foot three years ago stick their claws into him and add to his not inconsiderable agony over Amy? Meanwhile Woods has the chance to go some way towards adding some more unbelievable chapters to his life-is-stranger-than-fiction story as one of the top three sportsmen on the planet. Imagine, if Woods successfully defends this week – not even Jack Nicklaus the player Tiger’s achievements are measured against managed that, despite winning the trophy four times in his career. A Tiger win would also see him edge closer to Jack’s all-time record of 18 Majors. And next year the US Open and Open return to A win here sets up the chance for Tiger to equal Willie Anderson’s record of being the only player to win three US Opens in a row, come next June. That would also raise the intriguing possibility of a Grand Slam - having won the last two Opens at St Andrews – all Tiger needs to do is don the Green Jacket for the first time in five years come next April and win the 2010 USPGA at Whistling Straits. “Simples” as that blessed car insurance-selling meerkat says! Irishman Padraig Harrington lost his chance of a Paddy Slam at The winner of the last two Opens and the 2008 USPGA is in a slump after tinkering with the swing that made him Europe’s most successful golfer since Sir Nick Faldo, when it comes to Majors. Following Woods’ remarkable win in the Memorial at Jack’s Place two weeks ago, the smart money is on another Tiger triumph. After all he found 49 out of 56 fairways in But Woods still has history against him this week. Only seven players have ever successfully defended the US Open – the last was Curtis Strange back in 1989 – ironically he beat Nick Faldo in a play-off at And the six-time Major winner, who was knighted last week, who led a procession of short-hitters in the queue behind Woods and Mickelson at Bethpage Black, setting the course record with a third round 66 on his way to a share of fifth place. Jeff Maggert – one of the shortest hitters on Tour was third – with Billy Mayfair, Faldo, Scott Hoch and Tom Byrum all making the top 10 – not a big hitter in sight. Harrington was a very respectable eighth and is clearly a class act considering his second European Tour victory had only come earlier that year. Sergio Garcia was fourth and although the Spaniard was in a share of third at Pinehurst four years ago, he has yet to seriously contend in a US Open despite his supreme ball-striking. Since splitting up with Greg Norman’s daughter Morgan Leigh, the 29-year-old has struggled to recapture the consistency of last season, especially with the putter, having looked to have turned the corner on the greens in 2008. With the fairways and greens again expected to be soft all week following a very wet spell in America’s North East over the last six weeks, it remains to be seen if the shorter hitters will again come to the fore, even if Bethpage plays every blade of its 7,426 yards. Expect the USGA to be receptive to moving tees forward if the players struggle, and the graduated rough, which has turned the US Open into a more exciting event than the Masters over the last three years, should ensure lower scores than seven years ago. Aussie Geoff Ogilvy will be many people’s tip to repeat his 2006 victory also in
This year’s BMW PGA Champion is frequently compared to 1970 US Open winner Tony Jacklin for his short and stocky physique… so can an Englishman finally lay that record of almost 40 years of hurt to rest - and upstage Tiger in the history-making department for once? |
