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Pastimes : Golf! A thread for the hopelessly addicted! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TH who wrote (1777)	7/19/2000 9:45:55 AM
From: TH	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 44029

Wednesday July 19 9:16 AM ET Woods on Course to Join Elite Grand Slam Club By Mitch Phillips ST ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - Nothing at St Andrews this week has shaken Tiger Woods's position as the biggest pre-tournament favorite in British Open history. The world number one is rated 15-8 to lift the Claret Jug and the $748,400 winner's check Sunday, odds that even Jack Nicklaus in his prime did not rival. Victory would make Woods, 24, only the fifth player to complete a career grand slam. The American pulverized the opposition when he took last month's US Open by 15 shots -- the biggest winning margin ever in a major -- and he has now won 15 of his last 27 tournaments. ``When he's on, we don't have much of a chance. He's near-perfect,'' said South African Ernie Els, second favorite here. St Andrews Made For Tiger Michael Bonallack, former Royal & Ancient secretary who knows the course better than most, said: ``The Open at St Andrews is made for Tiger. The totality of his game now is simply astonishing.'' Gary Player, one of the grand slam four along with Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen, added: ``He is a man who doesn't have a weakness. He's just outstanding and it would be nice to welcome him to the grand slam club.'' Nicklaus reminded everybody this week that the best player doesn't always win but for Woods to fail, a number of ``ifs'' will have to go against him. Putting will be crucial. The huge, undulating greens of the Old Course demand a delicate and often creative touch, something rather different to the norm on the U.S. Tour. When Nick Faldo won the Open here in 1990 with a record low aggregate of 270 he did not three-putt a single hole and this week's winner will have to be equally miserly on the greens. Woods' putting, like most of his game, has improved over the last two years and such is his accuracy of approach, essential here with the often awkward pin placements, that he should not face too many 50-footers. His enormous length off the tee will make many of the par fours drivable. The fairways are rock solid and shaved like greens and the good weather forecast this week will only add to the distance achievable. But other players will also be able take advantage of the conditions and length off the tee should not make a huge difference -- accuracy will be the decisive factor. Worst Bunkers In The Game Those getting too greedy for distance risk paying a very heavy price as waiting to punish them are bunkers accepted by everyone here to be just about the most difficult in the game. ``The less experienced players who don't know the course so well will probably go for it and find themselves in trouble,'' said Colin Montgomerie. ``You make a mistake round here and you won't just make a bogey, you'll make a double bogey.'' It is for that reason that the Scot, still seeking his first major, thinks it unlikely that another outsider, such as last year's winner Paul Lawrie, will come through. Els, runner up behind Vijay Singh in the Masters, joint second in the U.S. Open and a winner last week at Loch Lomond, looks the best equipped to mount a challenge to Woods and his terrific putting could hold him in good stead. Phil Mickelson, another excellent putter, could also come into the equation as his excellent short game, especially with the lob-wedge, could help him by-pass many of the Old Course's deadly slopes and hollows. Former winners Tom Lehman and Justin Leonard along with Hal Sutton could also feature although their fellow American, world number two David Duval, still doesn't appear comfortable on links courses. Britain's Lee Westwood may represent Europe's best chance. The world number five is in great form and has hardly missed a putt all year. Others who could make an impression include current European Order of Merit leader Darren Clarke, Sergio Garcia of Spain, Zimbabwe's Nick Price, Swede Jesper Parnevik and Singh. One man who almost certainly won't win but who is guaranteed the greatest of receptions is Jack Nicklaus, making his final British Open appearance at the course where he triumphed in 1970 and 1978. TH