| |
 Car-nasty indeed
Posted: Wednesday July 14, 1999 01:56 PM
"If the wind blows ..." It is, by far, the most oft-used four words in the language here this week. And it is, in truth, a bit like saying "if the sun should rise ...", for the two most days run hand-in-hand. Wind in Scotland is a constant thing, varying only in degrees of howl. A gentle day is anything under gale force. They have come to Carnoustie for the first time in a quarter century and found a furious test for the 128th playing of The Open Championship this week. It has always been a wonderful track, probably back to the 1500's when it was just two long seaside holes. When Old Tom Morris, the legend from down St. Andrews way, stretched it to 18 championship holes over a century ago and gave it essentially it's present form, it began to grow presence and style and nasty teeth. What the men of the world find here this week is the longest, most formidable course in this event's storied history. The teeth, in other words, are razor sharp. It is over 7,300 yards but consider this: on one hole, the 6th, the landing area for your drive is no wider than a double bed. The wispy rough, bedded by thick gorse right off the fairways, is sometimes waist high. Finding your ball is one thing, advancing it is altogether something else. That said, "if the wind blows ..." is the muttering phrase that could make this Open one for all time. Rain, they can handle, and there isn't expected to be more than a passing shower through the weekend. Wind will turn this into a near-impossible task. And the predictions for that range from medium to forceful as the days press on. "Scores in the 90's," says Colin Montgomerie. "Four straight 75's to win," says Ernie Els. "Wow," says Tiger Woods. The question then becomes who would the wind favor? Whose game is best suited to such conditions? Most major championships are decided by who putts best. And indeed, that will be partially the case here, as well. But the Carnoustie greens are fairly flat and simple, slow and almost a relief after the unruly trek getting there. This Open will be decided by who accomplishes the latter best. Justin Leonard for his ball flight, Lee Janzen for his patience, Tiger Woods for his imagination, David Duval for his focus, are among the Americans who come to mind. Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia, Jesper Parnevik among the Europeans. The betting form is overwhelmingly Tiger. A tiny bookmaker’s shop around the corner from the course will arrange 6-1 odds on Mr. Woods, 12-1 on the next man, Montgomerie. There are bargains. Tom Lehman is 33-1, last week’s winner at Milwaukee, Carlos Franco, the cinch rookie-of-the-year, is 66-1. No odds given on whether over or under par will win. One thing is certain. Regardless of the force of the impending breezes off the waters nearby, chances are good that the very best player will be clearly identified by Sunday night. And the chances are even better that grand old Carnoustie, long bounced about by the Royal and Ancients in their rotation, will become a permanant part of this Open for all time. Even if the wind blows ...
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
