Editor’s note: Alf Musketa has dominated the first two majors of the season, posting an impressive 12-5 (71%) mark. His year-to-date record stands at 58-35 (+2,058) and he’s got big winners up for this week. Click to win!
The 2006 British Open is held at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake. The par 72 links course is measured at 7,258 yards. Tiger Woods is the defending Open Champion. However, the buzz this week is all about the weather and what kind of player will thrive in these conditions.
Liverpool and most of the Northwest portion of England is bone-dry has been cooked by a heat wave. Hoylake has received no rain in the past month and therefore the Open course is hard, fast, firm, crusty and the rough which is high and thick has dried out.
I have listened to some of the players on Tour say accuracy is not as important as length. With the now wispy rough, off line tee shots can be advanced to the green anywhere on this course. Long off the tee should dominate this week.
Hoylake's only defense is the wind. Early forecasts, and I loathe handicapping with forecasts, does not predict for gusty conditions. This track could yield -10 to -15 under par scores.
Players who played last week in the Scottish Open have the acclimatized advantage, but the courses are totally different. Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald, Darren Clarke and Tim Clark showed good form last week and are ready to tame Hoylake.
Sure, you have to include Tiger and the ever changing but ultra prepping well Phil Mickelson. I can see both of these players spraying the ball all over the place and making birdies!
Future Book Longshots to look at:
Darren Clarke 45-1
Stuart Appleby 48-1
Zach Johnson 110-1
Fred Couples 145-1
