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 House of Pain Former Open champions humbled by Carnoustie
Posted: Thursday July 15, 1999 03:11 PM
By Ryan Hunt, CNN/SI In the first round of the British Open, Carnoustie swallowed up some of the best golfers in the world. The course especially enjoyed wrecking former Open champions. There are 11 men who have previously hoisted the Claret Jug in the field. Their average score for Thursday's first round at Carnoustie was 78.8. Only Justin Leonard, the 1997 winner, had a relatively good day. And even he shot 2-over-par 73. Now the bad news for Leonard. Just two Open champions since 1970 (Greg Norman in 1986 and Seve Ballesteros in 1979) have shot 73 or higher.
Then there is Mark O'Meara, who shot the highest opening round (83) by a defending champion since Willie Park in 1876. O'Meara had five bogeys, three double bogeys and one triple bogey en route to his 12-over-par afternoon. O'Meara probably won't be the first to repeat as Open champion since Tom Watson did it in 1982-83. Then again, there have been eight different Open champions in the '90s -- only Nick Faldo has won twice this decade. On Thursday, Faldo struggled to an 8-over-par 79.
Still, a first-round nightmare hasn't always meant a quick British Open death. In 1904, Jack White stumbled early, opening with an 80, before rallying with a final-round 69 to win the tournament. The 11-stroke difference is tied for the largest differential between rounds by an eventual champion. But even that wouldn't do very much good for 1985 champion Sandy Lyle. Lyle is tied for 152nd after 18 holes, thanks to Thursday's 85.
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