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Your Take Tiger is narrow fan favorite to win at Carnoustie
Posted: Friday July 16, 1999 10:08 AM
CNNSI.com asked users who they thought would have the tenacity to endure long enough to survive this year's British Open. Tiger Woods was the fan favorite to win the tournament, but every golfer had numerous supporters. A sampling of some of the most interesting responses follows:
I think that Tiger Woods has a great chance to win this week. He is on a very hot streak and his distance will certainly help on the long par 4's at Carnoustie.
I think Vijay will win if his putter is working. He is by far the most consistent golfer on tour right now. Week in and week out he is in the top 10. With a hot putter nobody can beat him.
Lee Janzen. He has a sneaky tendency to hang around in Majors and stay within striking distance of the top. I would not be surprised at all to see if his steady, and heady game has him poised to win it all on Sunday.
I think that Sergio Garcia will win the British Open. He's now at the pinnacle of the momentum and moreover, he's just been successful in capturing 1st and 2nd placing on the British Isles.
Duval has extremely accurate drives and the length necessary to stay out of the rough and still be able to reach the greens. He is also an excellent short game player who can play the bump and run and other shots necessary around the greens. His main advantage, however, is his patience and his ability to not get overly excited about a good shot or upset about a bad one. He was close in last years Masters and this year's US Open. Once he wins a major it will be like his regular tour record and the wins will come very often. This is the year for his start with Major Titles.
I am going to pick Jesper Parnevik because he has done well the last 2 Opens and played well last week. He has got the game and mental toughness to do well at the Open. Also he is hungry for that first Major.
Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods will duke it out for the British Open Championship, with Singh my choice for winner. He and Woods have played the most consistent golf for the past few months and both appear to be at the top of their game. They also seem best at playing in tough conditions.
I think that Phil Mickelson will win the 99 British Open because he has had plenty of rest and has overcome the pressure of having a newborn child. This will seem like a fresh start for Phil and will play his heart out now that there no more distractions. He can swing freely and show his mastery of his clubs as he dominates the Carnoustie Golf Links.
I believe that Justin Leonard will win the open because he has one, won it before and two, is playing some of his best golf lately. He has really improved over the past few weeks coming up to a course which has shown he can dominate. Long driving is not important on this course which concentrates more on acuracy.
"Vijay stricken by Payne" will be the headlines as Stewart, again demonstrating he is the one to beat when the courses play their toughest, fights off the conditions and Singh to win the Open at Carnoustie.
Either David Duval or Tom Lehman will win the British Open. Both possess the game and mental toughness and attitude to conquer Carnoustie, the elements and the field they will be up against.
Sergio Garcia -- Not just a flash in the pan. I watch a lot of European tour coverage and this guy hits it pretty long, really straight and can putt the lights out. He's also got a great short game which you'll need if the wind is blowing because they will be missing a lot of greens.
I think that Phil Mickelson has a great chance at winning the British Open. Right now he is at the top of his game and most improved about him is his putting. The one that has the hot putter will take the tournament....
Nick Faldo. Faldo will probably pack it in soon and this would be a great way to go out. It won't be Tiger Woods. The course will play havoc with his emotions.
Although I am a big Corey Pavin fan and feel he can win the Open since his game is more of skill than power, I believe that Vijah Singh will be at the top of the list on Sunday. His game is power, skill and intellect. He seems to adjust his mechanics as well as his thinking which will be vital to win this tournament.
Tom Watson will win the 99' British Open. He has experience and the game to do it. On this course, if the wind is blowing like it is predicted to, you will have to be able to keep the ball low and scramble around the green to make par. Watson is the best at these type conditions. This week they will be talking about "Old Tom" at the British Open, and it will not be Morrison, it will be Watson.
I believe that Tiger has a fine chance at winning. He has taken time with his swing and showed that he is willing to work towards the long-term goals that have been set for him. If he has a strong first and second round, he will be hard to beat come Saturday and Sunday. Look for Tiger to come out smoking on the first day and show why he is the No. 1 ranked player in the world. I think the star is ready to shine!
My pick is Mark Calcavecchia. Calc is coming off his best finish of the year in Milwaukee. He has had a bad year and he is due for one of his streak weeks with the putter. He is also a past champion at the British Open.
Mike Weir, an up-and-coming Canadian from my neck of the woods has been on a roll recently. His confidence has been building ever since he pocketed $210,000 over the likes of Duval, Daly and Couples at the Canadian Skins Game two weeks ago. He then battled with Tiger Woods only to come up slightly short at last weeks Motorola Western Open. Weir is due for a win and mark my words, "It's gonna be big."
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