The Open Championship at Turnberry
Harrington, Kaymer and Stricker Feeling the Momentum
Jul 13, 2009
It isn't a premier event, but current Open Champion (British Open to Americans), Padraig Harrington, wouldn't have missed the Irish Open last week for the world. He played in, and won, the tournament in 2007 and 2008, and played in and won the Open following both. Again this year, Harrington pushed through his recent on-course woes and took home the Irish trophy. Recent months have seen Harrington's play lag behind competitors and his own expectations, but winning the signature tournament on his native soil might be just the tonic he needed to turn his game around.
If he's to take home is third Open Championship title in a row, he has some stiff competition. The Open returns to Turnberry after a lengthy hiatus. The last Open held at the course saw Nick Price take home the Claret in 1994.
Does Tiger Have His "A" Game for Turnberry?
Tiger Woods appears to be very close to his old form. Two weeks ago, he won his own tournament, the AT&T National Invitational at Congressional in convincing fashion. The play of his competitors resembled years past, when most fell away just because Tiger was near the top. He took advantage of each opportunity, which has many, as with any tournament he enters, ready to hand him the trophy. He may very well get it.
Kaymer: A German Open Champion?
In a great warm-up to the Open Championship, the Scottish Open was held last week at Loch Lomond and saw a strong field. Young German, Martin Kaymer, who appears to be a shoe-in for Monty's Ryder Cup team next year if his play continues to be stellar, took home the Scottish crown, his second win in as many weeks. Although on Sunday he was admittedly exhausted, he was able to finish at 14-under par, two clear of his nearest competitor. Still inexperienced in Major championships, he looks to be in good form heading to Turnberry, that is, if he can recover from his recent schedule.
American Steve Stricker also took garnered some momentum to carry him to Scotland. He defeated another strong field at the popular John Deere Classic. The unasuming fan-favorite seems poised to win a Major in this his early-40s career resurgence, arguably playing the best golf of his career.
This will be the fourth hosting of the Open for Turnberry in Ayrshire, Scotland (1977 - Tom Watson, 1986 - Greg Norman, 1994 - Nick Price). It will be held on the 7,250 yard Ailsa Course, July 16 through 19.
