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whadu · Level 49: GameShark **Posts:** 37195 **Timestamp:** Thu Jul 17, 08 7:38 AM

Bloomberg: July 17 (Bloomberg) -- K.J. Choi of South Korea birdied his fourth hole to take the early lead during the first round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, where wind and rain greeted players at the start of golf's oldest major tournament.

Choi, a seven-time winner on the U.S. PGA Tour, was at 1- under par, one ahead of four players including 2002 British Open winner Ernie Els. Five-time winner Tom Watson was with 11 others at 1-over. Watson, 58, had two birdies through eight holes.

After escaping wet weather during practice rounds, competitors took to the course today wearing rain suits and wooly hats as temperatures dropped into the mid-50s Fahrenheit (13 Celsius). Wind gusts as high as 23 miles per hour (37 kilometers per hour) will probably make for difficult scoring on the 119-year-old course, set along the edge of the Irish Sea.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, battling a right wrist injury, was 2-over through seven holes. Harrington, who defeated Sergio Garcia in a playoff at Carnoustie Golf Links last year, said he might be forced to withdraw from the tournament if his injury worsens.

Garcia, the pre-tournament favorite of U.K. oddsmakers, is scheduled to tee off in a group with Japan's Ryuji Imada and American Sean O'Hair this afternoon.

Garcia may never get a better chance to win a golf major than this week. Tiger Woods isn't playing, and Spaniards seemingly can do no wrong in sports lately.

A victory for Garcia would give Spaniards something else to celebrate. The national soccer team won the European Championship in June, the first major title for the country in 44 years. Tennis player Rafael Nadal, of Mallorca, beat world No. 1 Roger Federer to claim his first Wimbledon title.

`Good Year'

``If I manage to win here, it will be a very good summer for Spain,'' Garcia, 28, said in a news conference at Royal Birkdale. ``I'm just trying to keep up with my fellow countrymen.''

Offering to settle a debate over who could claim the second-biggest accomplishment -- Nadal for his Wimbledon victory or himself for capturing his first major tournament title -- a smiling Garcia said: ``Me. I feel like my game is probably as good as it has ever been.''

Spain has gone 20 years since Seve Ballesteros captured his last of three British Open titles. U.S.-born players have won the event six of the past eight years.

Garcia, ranked seventh in the world, represents Europe's best hope, according to bookmakers. After him, the second favorite at U.K. bookmaker Ladbrokes Plc is South African Ernie Els and American Phil Mickelson at 16-1. Englishman Lee Westwood is listed fourth at 20-1.

Woods, who won a 19-hole playoff to capture the U.S. Open last month, had knee surgery afterward and won't be back until next year.

Garcia has finished in the top 10 six times.

``I love this major,'' Garcia said. ``Everything about it, it's great. Obviously it's the only one we play in Europe so it always makes it even more exciting for a European.''

Along with a second-place finish in the European Open two weeks ago, Garcia's chances have been buoyed by his win at the U.S. PGA Tour's Players Championship in May.

Source: Bloomberg.com

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Back injury rules Taniguchi out of British Open

IHT.com: SOUTHPORT, England: Toru Taniguchi pulled out of the British Open with a back injury shortly before he was due to tee off on the opening day at Royal Birkdale.

His place in the field of 156 was taken by American player Heath Slocum, the first alternate.

Winner of 13 events on the Japanese tour, Taniguchi had won his last two tournaments. But he missed the cut in the first two majors of the year at the Masters and U.S. Open.

Source: Iht.com

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Cole's Top-10 List for British Open

Canada.com: The 10 golfers most likely to succeed, or survive, this week's test in the 137th British Open at Royal Birkdale.

1. Lee Westwood, England

Steady and hard-headed, he had a taste of it at the very end of the U.S. Open, and is ready to make the next step. Big pressure at home, but he has the game to handle it.

2. Sergio Garcia, Spain

Has never been favoured to win a major before, so you never know how he'll react. But he has been all around it for the past three Opens, and if his putter behaves, he just might do it.

3. Ernie Els, South Africa

Should have won five of these by now, and without Tiger's looming presence, the man who has been most bothered by Woods over the years has a great chance to step into the void.

4. Jim Furyk, United States

Here's a guy who ought to have more than one major on his résumé, and is overdue to win a golf tournament. The course suits his eye and his game.

5. Robert Karlsson, Sweden

Had a chance at the U.S. Open, and the towering Swede is a top-10 machine on the European Tour this year. As long as he doesn't blow over in a strong wind.

6. Geoff Ogilvy, Australia

Hasn't been overly impressive in previous Opens, but the Aussie has been around the English coast playing links courses for a week now, and might have it figured out.

7. Justin Rose, England

May be a little magic in this place for the English kid who lit it up at Birkdale 10 years ago. His game has steadily improved, and one of these days, he's going to win big.

8. Hunter Mahan, U.S.

A surprise sixth at Carnoustie last year and in good recent form in the States. If he keeps it in play off the tee, he could be dangerous.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, chomping down on a cigar as he plays out of a bunker in practice yesterday, makes Cam Cole's top-10 list at No. 9.

9. Miguel Angel Jimenez, Spain

More than just another pretty face. Lots of game and grit, and a really bad ponytail. Sometimes you have to vote for the story, and he'd be a good one.

10. Ben Curtis, U.S.

OK, he's a longshot. His win in 2003 may have been a fluke, but he tied for eighth last year and for 13th in his last Tour start. Hey, miracles happen.

Source: Canada.com

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