Power Rankings: British Open

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Jul. 12, 2010
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

Americans that have never set foot on golf courses where the game was born really couldn't appreciate them vicariously until high-definition television went mainstream. It's been five years since St. Andrews hosted the British Open, and the early HD images from Scotland are breathtaking. HD existed in 2005, but given the advancements since, it will be like we're learning a completely new track.

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From the ground, it's evident why local knowledge is imperative for the first-timers. Targets are subtle and greens are enormous (nearly 18,000 square feet on average), so complete faith in hitting to a yardage is job No. 1. The smart player will prep each hole backwards, as hitting approaches from desirable distances will reduce the stress. Birdies are best hunted over the first 12 holes, but the course cannot be overpowered. Bunkers, moguls and wind are the primary defenses at most links courses, and it is no different at St. Andrews. Ball-strikers with experience in this tournament are benefited. The tiebreakers are scrambling with a spoonful, er, truckload of imagination.

Quintessential weather conditions will greet the field as early as Wednesday, as rain and moderate-to-strong winds are forecast through Friday. The sun will make its first appearance Saturday before cloud cover returns Sunday. Weekend winds will be moderate. The high temperature should sneak into the low 60s every day.

Power Rankings: British Open

Rank	Player		Comment
		Tiger WOODS	When asked at the U.S. Open which four courses he'd hand-select for the majors, he replied, "I'd probably pick St. Andrews all four times." Duh. He won by eight here in 2000 and by five in '05. Moreover, he's never allowed anticipation to hinder execution.
		Ernie ELS	The 2002 British champion leads the TOUR in earnings and FedExCup Points. He's also tallied more world-ranking points than anyone else in 2010. Has 12 top 10s in 19 starts in this major, including his last four. Placed T2 in 2000 at St. Andrews.
		Lee WESTWOOD	Overwhelming choice as best never to have won a major, so he's due. The Brit has six top fives in majors, including two in the British. On the back-end of his career prime, he'll need to strike it pure since he's 190th in sand saves on the European Tour.
		Phil MICKELSON	While the media fusses over his failure to overtake Tiger Woods as the World No. 1, the 2010 Masters' champ is a bona fide sleeper this week. He has just one top 10 in 16 Open appearances, and skipped last year's edition to attend to wife Amy's needs.
		Retief GOOSEN	His steely resolve alone is worth more than the aggregate than half the field. He has seven top 10s in the British, including a T5 here in 2005. Recently recovered from toe and hand injuries to place T5 at the Travelers Championship.
		Padraig HARRINGTON	Having trouble maintaining traction in 2010, but still has five top 10s. Missed the cut at Turnberry at the tail-end of a swing fiddling (read meddling), but the two-time British champ is also a two-time winner of the Dunhill Links.
		Luke DONALD	A recent winner in Madrid, he's currently seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking. Leads the PGA TOUR in sand saves, scrambling and putting inside five feet. Finally showed that he can contend in the British with last year's T5 at Turnberry.
		Justin ROSE	Six months ago, he wasn't on Ryder Cup projections that went as deep as 15 golfers. Today, he's the hottest European in the field, with wins in two of three starts. A first-timer at St. Andrews in the British, he ranks 15th in ball-striking on TOUR.
		Jim FURYK	Rarely associated as a good fit for this major, but he has five top 10s in 14 starts. One of four with two wins on the PGA TOUR this year. He's currently seventh on TOUR in fairways hit, 12th in scrambling and 11th in bogey avoidance.
		Edoardo MOLINARI	Rickie Fowler has nothing on the Italian, who set a Challenge Tour record in earnings in 2009. The 2005 U.S. Amateur champ is coming off his first European Tour victory at the Scottish Open, after which he rose to 19th in the world ranking.