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Ready to roll
Figure the winner will emerge from this Fab Fivesome
June 12, 2008
CRISTINA MARTINEZ BYVIK
/ Union-Tribune
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The course is ready. The field is set. The practice rounds have been played. Now, beginning this morning, come four rounds and 72 holes of testing golf on Torrey Pines South, the longest course in U.S. Open history at 7,643 yards.
So who will win? That's the question.
Figure the winner will be somebody who knows the course, and has enjoyed some success on it. And he will likely come from golf's upper crust rather than from its minor leagues and regional qualifiers. This may be the People's Open, but it will take a special person to win.
Union-Tribune golf writer Tod Leonard has studied the field and gives these five the best chance to hold the trophy when this tournament is completed. Pencil in the top two players in the world, No. 1 Tiger Woods and No. 2 Phil Mickelson. But three others – based on their talent, experience and local knowledge – also have what it takes.
Now, starting with today's first shot at 7 a.m., we'll see what happens.
Tiger Woods
Before his knee surgery, the world's No. 1 player seemed a virtual lock to be charging down the stretch in contention on Sunday because of his love for Torrey Pines. Now, this will either be a win for the ages, or a complete letdown after seven years of buildup.
Phil Mickelson
A first Open triumph in his hometown? Magic. He has practiced this Torrey Open setup more than anyone, and it strongly favors him. Generous fairways mean he doesn't have to drive it perfectly, and though the greens have not been kind to him in January, maybe they will in June.
Charles Howell III
Those who know Howell well say he is as relaxed as they have ever seen him at major championship. He should be. He has two seconds at Torrey, including getting hosed by the 18th's flagstick in '05. He shot 64 on Saturday that year.
Justin Leonard
Strangely, the former British Open champ has never been a great U.S. Open player, but consider this: His best placing ever was 12th at Bethpage, the muni and supposed bomber's track. The Texan's having a stellar season, including last week's Memphis win and a fifth at Torrey, where he fired 65 on Saturday.
Luke Donald
Can he break Europe's 37-year U.S. Open drought? Absolutely. The Englishman has a playoff loss in '04 and a tie for second in '05 on the new South Course. The only downside is that he hasn't played the Buick Invitational the last three years.
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