This years British Open returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes a superb links course situated just outside of the town Blackpool ( las vegas to lancastrians!) . My early memories are of the late great seve winning here with his trademark fist clenching celebration after holing the winning putt in 88′. I was present in 1996 when Tom Lehman lifted the claret jug, the sun was shining and the fairways were brown and running fast , something tells me conditions wont be like that in a weeks time! heavy lush rough will take its toll on wayward shots and this 7,118 yards course will most definatly be playing its length. The last time Royal Lytham staged the open was in 2001 when american David Duval was victorious with a -10 under par score. The last day would be also remembered for Ian Woosnam’s dicovery that he had 15 clubs in his bag on the 2nd tee, which incurred a two shot penalty, woosnam was right in contention going into the final round, dont think his caddie got a bonus!!.
This years event is a tough call to pick a winner, there are so many players that can stake there claim . Tiger seems to be getting somewhere back to his brilliant best, his swing changes with sean foley now look like there bedding in and when tiger’s putter is hot he’s hard to beat. If both mcilroy and donald find fith gears they will be in contention. I tip westwood every major ( good job im no gambler! ) to win , maybe, just maybe this could be his turn . My two outsiders are padraig harrington and nicolas colsaerts, both are in good form of late. Whoever wins it will no doubt throw up drama and suspense right till the end.
scottoxley 