Turnberry's track record sets up for Tiger
TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) - Tiger Woods goes into this week's British Open as heavy favorite to clinch his 15th major crown on a Turnberry layout which has consistently rewarded the game's top players.
Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Nick Price won the previous three editions held at the par-70 Ayrshire links course, each of the trio doing so when at the pinnacle of the sport.
"(They) were some of the best ball strikers," Woods said in the build-up to Thursday's opening round, referring to the victory by Watson in 1977, Norman (1986) and Price (1994).
"At this golf course you can understand why. You really do have to hit your ball well here. You just can't fake it around this golf course. You have to hit good golf shots."
Peter Dawson, chief executive of Open organizers the R&A, echoed the widespread feeling that Turnberry could become another successful hunting ground for Woods.
"The three winners we've had in the past were arguably the number one player in the world each time," he said. "Whether that will be repeated this week remains to be seen but he (Woods) is the man to beat."
Comfortably the greatest player of his era and possibly of all time, Woods is well versed in the art of winning majors. He has always been meticulous in his preparation and has long relished the challenge of links-course golf.
A winner of three British Opens, he is looking forward to tackling the Ailsa course.
"The course is fantastic and in great shape," Woods, 33, said. "The rough is up a little bit and we haven't had the big winds yet.
"Any time you have a chance to lift the Claret Jug it's special. It's been special for me three times and hopefully I can do it again."
Woods, who won his first British Open at St Andrews in 2000 before enjoying further success at the same layout in 2005 and at Hoylake in 2006, has been installed as a 9/4 favorite by British bookmakers William Hill.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Britons Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are next best at 28/1.
RARE HAT-TRICK
Irishman Padraig Harrington, although bidding for a rare hat-trick of British Open titles, is rated at 40/1 mainly because of a dismal run of form this season.
While Woods always commands the attention of most of his rivals, Swede Henrik Stenson likes his own chances in the third major of the year. Continued...
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