Well, I Wasn't Far Off...

As it was with Friday's submit, a number of my predictions for yesterday's round were spot on even as others ignored badly. Here's a brief refresher:

Today we're going to probable see the pinnacle 10 or so jockey for position; I'm not sure what the rating might be on the end of the day, but I anticipate to see Adam Scott main. I do not think Sneds is going to play badly, however he is gotten particularly fortunate with some of his tee photographs and I do not see his luck retaining up. It simplest takes one or two terrible breaks in that hard to make par a outstanding score. Unless Tiger's putter receives hot, I assume him to copy his closing performances and end at -eight or -nine. Beyond that, I count on McDowell, Kuchar, and Dufner to get inside the blend.

Clearly Tiger shot an even par round so I missed that one. Likewise, Kuchar and Dufner both went backwards. However, I was pretty much on target with the rest of my predictions, especially with Scott leading, Sneds falling back, and McDowell entering the fray.

Here's the replace on my "5 to Watch":

• Tiger Woods: -6, 4th
• Rickie Fowler: +3, T43
• Lee Westwood: +4, T54
• Francesco Molinari: +2, T33
• Zach Johnson: -5, T5

I take some consolation knowing that all of my picks (except Tiger) improved their positions from the 2nd to the 3rd round. Zach really proved my faith in him by surging back into the top 5, but I think he's too far back unless Adam stumbles.

As for today's final round, I'm going to use a phrase that I absolutely detest because most of the time I think it's an inaccurate cliche. That phrase is:

This is Adam Scott's match to win.

In this case, I believe it's impossible to say anything that's more accurate. Here's my reasoning: Scott is 4 shots ahead of McDowell and Sneds, 5 ahead of Tiger, and it gets worse from there. All Adam Scott has to do is shoot -2 today -- a sixty eight -- and each McDowell and Sneds will need to tie the course record simply to pressure a playoff, whilst Tiger and all his different pursuers may have to break the direction file. Granted, Sneds did that earlier this week... but doing it twice is a big ask. McDowell is certainly capable of it if he gets on a roll... but his best score this week is a 67. Again, a big ask.

Let me repeat: This is Adam's tournament to win IF he can manage to post a 68, which would tie his worst score this week.

If we get some wind -- and I won't be amazed, for the reason that Weather Channel is presently predicting 17mph winds gusting to 25mph -- I think it is a two-man race among Scott and McDowell, as both guys are accurate wind players. Tiger's contemporary method would in all likelihood have worked well had we visible wind all week, however I don't see him breaking the course file nowadays along with his current iron play; he's just now not hitting it near enough to make an excellent run. (I don't agree with it really is going to last, but it's too late for this Open.)

As for the winner... gotta be Adam Scott. If Graeme was only 2 strokes back, I wouldn't be nearly so sure, but 4 strokes is too much unless Adam stumbles... and Adam isn't going to stumble.

Sports psychologist Steve Williams will earn his money nowadays.

And if Adam does indeed get this major, I'll go out on a limb and say that the golf scene has seen its first major power shift (sorry, couldn't resist) since Tiger fell out of the OWGR's #1 spot.