The 2017 British Open golf tournament starts Thursday at Royal Birkdale in England. After last year’s fantastic final round shoot-out between the winner, Henrik Stenson, and runner-up Phil Mickelson, it will be a tough act to follow.
With Golf Channel providing hours upon hours of pre-tournament coverage, I have only one wish for this year’s event. Bad weather!
You see, Royal Birkdale is a relatively short golf course by today’s professional golf standards. At just under 7,200 yards, this British Open layout has a reputation for producing a seasoned “Champion Golfer of the Year” who can master both the golf course and the dramatic changes in weather. If the wind and rain fail to arrive for this weekend’s event, then don’t be surprised to see last year’s record low total score of 20-under par fall. Continued changes in golf ball and club design are quickly making golf a game for the “bombers”. The new generation favors blasting the golf ball over 300 yards off the tee (even with a 3-wood) and will opt to take their chances from the rough if they are already close to the green.
If the traditional British Open winds don’t blow and course conditions stay warm and dry, the oddsmakers favor young cannons such as Dustin Johnson (14-1), Jon Rahm (18-1), and Rory McIlroy (20-1). All of them regularly hit the golf ball over 320 yards off the tee. If conditions are relatively calm and dry, your winner may likely come from this group.
If we should get a few days of traditional British Open winds and chilly rain, young shotmakers such as Jordan Spieth (12-1), Rickie Fowler (14-1), and Justin Rose (18-1) will have an improved chance to win at Royal Birkdale.
If the weather gets really bad (winds of 25+ miles per hour and a chilling sideways rain) for a couple of rounds at this year’s golf tournament, then a veteran of British Open winds and bad weather will have an improved chance to win. Bad weather could enhance the chances for Adam Scott (25-1), Paul Casey (33-1), Louis Oosthuizen (50-1) and even the last winner at Royal Birkdale back in 2008, Padraig Harrington (50-1).
For the most sentimental winner possible, I would go with England’s own Lee Westwood (66-1). Westwood is now 44 years of age, has 42 worldwide wins, and has been a consistent runner-up in majors. Westwood would cherish making this his first major championship win and take home the Claret Jug. Another fan favorite at Royal Birkdale would be Ian Poulter (70-1). The Englishman who wears the plaid pants has a tendency to play really well or really poorly. He has been steadily improving in the weeks heading into the British Open. Poulter has the emotional type of game that really feeds off the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Though it is nearly impossible to predict any golf tournament winner, I am hoping this year’s British Open champion will need to prove his meddle by fighting through typical British Open winds and rain to claim the victory.
Here are my fearless show/place/win predictions:
3rd – Jordan Spieth – Can he adjust his putting to be effective on the slower British Open greens? If so, look out!
2nd – Justin Rose – Rose has the game, the confidence, and the English fans on his side.
1st – Matt Kuchar – At 55-1 odds, the 39-year old Kuchar is due to win his first major, has played well of late, and the Brits just love to cheer “Kooooch” as much as Americans do!