Posted on 14 Jul 2010 at 09:03 AM by
iancatley
Are you weary of simulating prima donnas, ball tampering, ‘claret’ spurting Harlequins, blood transfusing cyclists, frame-throwing potters and injury feigning rackets? There are a number of reasons why it is called the Open Championship; one of them is because you won’t see cheating at St Andrews this week! The No. 1 in the game may be guilty of cheating on his wife but you can be absolutely sure that none of the 156 competitors would ever commit the cardinal sin of cheating on the game of golf. It is open, fair and honest…honest.
A few miscreants break the rules but unlike other lily-livered sporting authorities, golf is ruthless. Minor misdemeanours mean penalties, for more serious offences disqualification is automatic and heaven forbid, anyone caught deliberately cheating is black-balled and excluded permanently from the game. I can’t think of a single professional, who has incurred such treatment but suffice to say Bill Clinton was nearly impeached for it; the US public forgave him the occasional Oval office BJ but damn it, a President that cheats at golf!
So, golf’s straight then? So much so that it has traditionally been the biggest ante-post betting event in the calendar on two legs. Yes, that’s right, 156 runners and punters think that it’s possible to back a winner. Perhaps they have forgotten Ben Curtis, Todd Hamilton and Paul Lawrie but if you take a look at St Andrews’ past winners then Tiger (twice), John Daly, Sir Nick, Seve and Jack (twice) should tell you that whatever the conditions only the best win at the Home of Golf. If you think that ‘the Addict’ doesn’t fit in this company, you forget that he had a short-game to die and a perfect game plan to out muscle all the trouble; he and Tiger forced them to change the course layout after a 150 years!
So, who will be added to that illustrious list? Having tipped the US Open winner in April (right guy, McDowall but wrong tournament, I tipped him for the Masters) my credibility is a little thin but I offer some thoughts to reduce the field. All of the aforementioned had previously won a Major, some on several occasions. They all had World class short-games. The weather forecast says heavy showers and cool Thursday, light rain plus 25mph winds Friday. Since PGA Tour players don’t play in anything below a heatwave or above a zephyr, most of them will be blown away. Quite a few, who meet the other criteria are spent forces and while their names would grace the old claret jug, can’t really see any of them turning back the clock. Doesn’t leave too many to choose from then does it?
The wind that blows the barley will suit the Irish; Harrington has shown signs of a return to form and McDowall has new confidence, they would be popular winners. Of the remaining European contingent with form there are of course no Major winners but Rose, Casey, Poulter, McIlroy and even Donald have shown recently they can compete with the best, so have some of the older brigade Westwood (beware the injured golfer), Karlsson and Jimenez. But if you are looking for a different name sneeking under the radar, who now has the mental resilience to go with the all-round game, how about Saffer Charl Schwartzel, if for no other reason than those numpty Golf Channel commentators can’t say his name properly!
If you are one of those, who like a once-a-year punt on the Open go ahead, be lucky and remember whoever wins you know he didn’t cheat on you.