My 5 to Watch at the Open Championship

Last week it become the girls; this week it's the men. Time to pick my "5 to Watch" on the Open!

Hoylake is a exclusive type of beast this yr than it changed into again in 2006. Back then it changed into brown and hard; this year it's inexperienced and... Permit's simply call it "receptive." The rough is tall and thick. Players might not be able to bunt hybrids down the green and get 50 yards of run, specifically with greater rain within the forecast. It looks as if our boys will need to placed it inside the quick grass this yr if they have any wish of victory.

And it really is why my choices may also look a bit atypical. The US and European Opens have passed through something of a personality change this year, so my selections want to have shown some promise in both types of play. Some gamers who've been on a hot streak, including Martin Kaymer, do not have a especially good EO report and as a result don't get a nod. And the two most speculative golfers -- Tiger and Phil -- don't appear to be in in particular appropriate shape right now. (And sure, I wish I'm incorrect and that they each get into the mixture.)

So permit me make my least predictable selections of the 12 months to this point.

• Justin Rose has drawn mixed reviews from the analysts. Can he possibly win three tournaments in a row? Can he do the back-to-back links wins like Phil last year? This is what I know: While his record in the Open isn't that great -- he's missed the cut the last two years -- he just won the Scottish Open and, as I recall, he's been pretty good at US Opens.
• Rickie Fowler has a decent record at both Opens. Now that his swing changes seem to be taking hold, and given how much he loves the links, I'm looking for him to do well... especially if the weather turns bad.
• Henrik Stenson was runner-up to Phil in both links events last year and has played well in his last 5 or 6 events this year. Perhaps this is his time...
• Sergio Garcia simply won't get out of my mind. He hasn't played particularly well leading into this event, but I can't ignore that short game of his. He's simply due, and I see no reason that he couldn't shock the world this week.
• Jim Furyk is my flier this year. Since Hoylake will likely play more like a US Open, the need for accuracy suits his game. And let's face it -- life being such as it is, the Open Championship seems the least likely major for him to win. Ergo, he should be the favorite.

I debated Adam Scott. Oh my, how I debated Adam Scott! He nearly won this event the last two years, holding the lead on the back 9 both times. And he's playing well in the lead-up to the event this year. But he's the obvious choice while Sergio is not... I simply can't make myself go chalk.

Will Adam Scott do it anyway and repair order in a season of consistent surprises... Or will some other Mo Martin step up and grasp the Jug? We'll understand in only some days!