interesting week in store, so much to talk about but seeing how im running out of time, i just cant go into all of it. cliff notes essentially, RORY not being in, TIGER playing a track hes won multiple times, of course SPIETH going for 3rd straight MAJOR, DJ and FOWLER having played in 2010 open and doing well 1st time, now coming back both playing very well, and of course ST ANDREWS the course itself trying to defend its status spite going against the ever improving technology in golf and professional players.
HOWEVER, while ST ANDREWS has had lower scores posted than its other counterparts in recent years, still doesnt mean it cant stand the test of time. i know, dorky, but this course to me atleast goes to show that no matter how good the technology gets, it still doesnt determine the actual winner when its all said and done, it comes down to execution, and while some of the holes later on, especially 18, doesnt seem as daunting on paper or even when youre on the tee, having to hit and execute that same shot in your head late on sunday, different story for most.
weather this week while the course may seem softer to some of the players, the weather wont give the players much favor. looks like a dry and windy tournament, which plays into any course but especially ST ANDREWS. there will be some that take advantage of the course in the right opportunity, but on the weekend, you wont be able to run and hide for much longer from the spotlight.
hard to say an exact key to the course is, but seeing how there are only 4 par3s+5s, rest are par4s, safe to say you need a player how can really keep ball in play on those holes and also take advantage by knocking it on the green to give themselves a realistic birdie chance. par5s and 3s are somewhat a wash, 11th hole will be fun if the wind is really heavy, sandwiched in between the short 9 and 12 par4s where its probably most exposed part of course by the inlet of water near it.
going with WIESBERGER and KOEPKA to start. not your experienced players, but both have some experience on ST ANDREWS in DUNHILL, not great measurement for this week, but both posses the long game im looking for to keep them around the leaderboard, hopefully their putters can cooperate as well.
THE OPEN(-1.54u)
50/1 B. KOEPKA(.5u) -- to win L (t10)
70/1 B. WIESBERGER(.5u) -- to win L (t68)
4.5/1 B. KOEPKA(.5u) -- top10 W
5.5/1 B. WIESBERGER(.5u) -- top10 L
10/1 J. SPIETH(.5u) -- to win/thru2/ L (t4)
fowler(ev) / rose(.5u) -- tour mu L (t30 - t6)
d. johnson(-115) / rose(.5u) -- tour mu L (t49 - t6)
d. johnson -.5 (-144) / willett(.5u) -- 3rd rd mu L (75 - 72)