The Open Championship

Winner: Stewart Cink 66-72-71-69   278   (beat T. Watson in a playoff)
Site: Turnberry Resort (Ailsa course) – Ayrshire, Scotland

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


PGA Tour: U.S. Bank Championship

Winner: Bo Van Pelt 67-68-68-64   267   (beat J. Mallinger in a playoff)
Site: Brown Deer Park Golf Course – Milwaukee, WI

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


Elsewhere...
LET – Open de Espana – Becky Brewerton 270 (Story)
JLPGA – Stanley Ladies – Chie Arimura 168 (Story)
Futures – ING New England Classic – Dewi Claire Schreefel 202 (Story)
Tour de Las Americas – XLIX Abierto Internacional – Jose Manuel Garrido 280 (Story)
Canadian – Canadian Tour Players Cup – Graham DeLaet 276  (Story)

Okay, not to make (too much) light of someone’s career demise, but the way I (and many others) viewed the tenure of deposed LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens is fairly simple: When you’ve royally ticked off what little media chooses to cover you (her ill-fated plan to charge rights fees on tournament photos), deeply offended many of your top stars, civil libertarians, your biggest source of TV revenue and pretty much anyone with an ounce of common sense (last year’s mandatory English fiasco), and run off several of your longest-running, most loyal sponsors......and all you’ve got to show for this litany of arrogance is a tour teetering on the edge of the abyss...

It’s time to go.

Of course, in truth, it’s actually about 18 months past “time to go,” but better late than never. And while the photo rights and mandatory English messes may not be forgotten, any grudges held against the tour should be retired with Bivens. The fact that the LPGA is fast running out of sponsors (with only 13 events currently in place for 2010), however, is a terribly dangerous situation, the effects of which may render the tour’s basic viability questionable for several years to come.

So here’s hoping that despite a background which, at glance, might suggest more of the same, acting Commissioner Marsha Evans can somehow repair the badly damaged sponsor relationships in record time, and thus stablize things as the tour moves forward in an obviously shaky economy.

But all of this leaves me, a complete outsider on LPGA matters, with two questions:

First, with no disrespect whatsoever towards Evans, wouldn’t the interim, fence-mending post have been perfectly suited to a smart, highly respected, popular golfing icon like either Judy Rankin or Nancy Lopez? And second...

What on earth took so long???

...Since we visited Turnberry at Open Championship time, and looking at the club’s three past champions (Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Nick Price), it makes one think that A) The R & A has stayed away too long, and B) Was it really necessary to make wholesale changes to a golf course which has clearly excelled at identifying the best players in a world-class championship field?

Given that Price’s victory came fully 15 years ago, past performance plays less of a role here than it might in handicapping an event played at more frequently visited Open stops – but for American players less familiar with the subtleties (not to mention the more straightforward demands) of links golf, past performance in the Open itself may be a somewhat valid predictor. Then again, after Tiger Woods (who, when on form, is clearly capable of transcending “subtleties” – and most anything else), how many potentially links-challenged Americans even figure to factor into the mix?

Anyway, a look at the prospects (and realistic odds) for the world’s top 15 players...

Tiger Woods (8-1) – His game may still bear signs of rust, his 2009 dominance has been more of the mortal variety, and being listed at 2-1 (Ladbrokes) may accurately reflect the betting handle, but it’s certainly not a reflection on his realistic chances of winning. Of course, none of that means he’s not still the favorite...

Phil Mickelson ( - ) – Sadly unable to compete due to multiple family illnesses.

Paul Casey (24-1)– The world number three is on solid form, with wins in America (the Houston Open) and Europe (the prestigious BMW PGA) since April. But at age 31, he’s only once bettered 20th in seven previous Open starts – the lone positive of which might be that this breakthrough came last year at Birkdale, where he came back from an opening 78 to tie for 7th.

Kenny Perry (25-1)– Perry’s late-40s resurgence is fast reaching unequaled ground in PGA Tour history, with two more wins already added to 2009’s ledger, plus a heartbreaking playoff loss at Augusta. He’s only played in five Open Championships, missing the cut in 1991 and 2006. Yet any sense that he’ll be a fish out of water on the linksland is not entirely supported by the record, as his three other appearances saw him tie for 8th, 16th and 11th from 2003-05.

Sergio Garcia (15-1)– With six top 10s in his last eight Open starts, Garcia certainly seems capable of claiming the Claret Jug – unless his putting goes wrong, or he decides he doesn’t like the golf course, or the golf gods conspire against him, or he starts thinking that they’re conspiring against him, or...

Steve Stricker (17-1)– Another 40+ enjoying a career resurgence with two wins and five top 5s in America thus far in 2009. Had an entirely mediocre Open Championship record prior to finishing T8 and T7 in 2007 & ’08. Big problem: The last player to win a PGA Tour event on the Sunday before the Open, then claimed the Jug seven days hence, was Lee Trevino - in 1971.

Geoff Ogilvy (17-1)– It’s been an up-and-down year in America for Ogilvy, though the ups have included victories at the Mercedes-Benz and the WGC Match Play. For a world-class player whose skills and mindset would seem well-suited to links golf, he has a disappointing career record at the Open, missing four of six cuts and only once cracking the top 10 (T5 in 2005).

Henrik Stenson (17-1)– Another world-class player with a mediocre Open record, never bettering 34th before tying for 3rd last year at Royal Birkdale. Winless in Europe thus far in ’09, but claimed the prestigious Players Championship in America, so his form remains pretty solid.

Jim Furyk (16-1)– With four top 10s in his last five American starts, the 2003 U.S. Open champion seems in a good grove arriving at Turnberry. Interestingly, though not generally thought of as a player whose game might adapt well to the U.K., his Open record actually includes four top-5 finishes dating back to 1997. An interesting darkhorse.

Vijay Singh (35-1) – After a stronger run in May, has slowed a bit of late on the American circuit. Has played in 20 Open Championships and has only thrice finished among the top 10, his peak being a T2 in 2003 at Royal St. George’s. His time has probably passed to win here. Probably.

Martin Kaymer (20-1)– Which is more likely, Steve Stricker winning at the John Deere, then winning here, or Martin Kaymer winning the E Tour’s last two stops, then claiming the Open for the hat trick? Certainly one of the game’s brightest young stars, and probably talented and mature enough to seriously contend right now – but perhaps he peaked a week or two early?

Camilo Villegas (27-1) – After a hot start, hasn’t logged a U.S. top 10 since March – though his play has been far more pedestrian than truly poor. Tied for 39th last year in his Open debut, so his links slate is nearly a blank one. Something of a wildcard.

Sean O’Hair (23-1)– A bit up-and-down thus far in ’09 (including a win, a 2nd and two MCs during a five-event stretch from late March through early May) but ties for 15th and 14th at the 2005 and ’06 Opens suggests he can play well here.

Padraig Harrington (22-1) – The two-time defending champion surely must rate among the favorites despite playing through a slump that’s seen him miss four of his last five cuts in America......mustn’t he?

Anthony Kim (25-1)– The first half of 2009 was a bit of a letdown for one of the game’s rising young stars, but a recent upturn (including 3rd at the AT&T National) might be hinting at something. Tied for 7th in his Open debut last year, so perhaps links golf suits him...

The Open Championship

Site: Turnberry Resort (Ailsa course) – Ayrshire, Scotland
Yards: 7,204   Par: 70
Defending: Padraig Harrington   283   (beat I. Poulter by 4)
Field: World Top 20: All except Phil Mickelson (2) & Robert Karlsson (16)   Other Notables: All who are physically able.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


PGA Tour: U.S. Bank Championship

Site: Brown Deer Park Golf Course – Milwaukee, WI
Yards: 6,759   Par: 70
Defending: Richard S. Johnson   264   (beat K. Duke by 1)
Field: World Top 20: None   Other Notables: Mark Brooks, Steve Elkington, Lee Janzen, Corey Pavin & Bob Tway.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


Elsewhere...
LET – Open de Espana – Castellon, Spain
JLPGA – Stanley Ladies – Shizuoka, Japan
Futures – ING New England Classis – Bloomfield, CT
Tour de Las Americas – XLIX Abierto Internacional – Medellin, Colombia
Canadian – Canadian Tour Players Cup – Winnipeg, Manitoba

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic

Winner: Steve Stricker 71-61-68-64   264   (beat three players by 3)
Site: TPC Deere Run – Silvis, IL

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


European PGA Tour: Barclay’s Scottish Open

Winner: Martin Kaymer 69-65-66-69   269   (beat G. F'dez-Castano & R. Jacquelin by 2)
Site: Loch Lomond Golf Club – Glasgow, Scotland

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


LPGA Tour: U.S. Women’s Open

Winner: Eun-Hee Ji 71-72-70-71   284   (beat C. Kung by 1)
Site: Saucon Valley Country Club (Old course) – Bethlehem, PA

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


Champions Tour: 3M Champiomship

Winner: Bernhard Langer 67-68-65   200   (beat A. Bean by 1)
Site: TPC Twin Cities – Blaine, MN

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


Elsewhere...
JLPGA – Meiji Chocolate Cup – Mi-Jeong Jeon 207 (Story)
Nationwide – Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic – Roger Tambellini 265 (Story)
Euro Challenge – ALLIANZ Europen de Lyon – Alendre Kaleka 268 (Story)
Canadian – Saskatchewan Open – Andres Gonzalez 274 (Story)

There is, one must admit, a certain repetitiveness to these Major championship forecasts, particularly on the women’s side where the world’s elite tend to dominate on a week in, week out basis. So much like Bethpage last month, we will simply assess the chances of the world’s top dozen at Saucon Valley...because it would seem a good bet that this week’s champion will emerge from this group.

Any real variety to the process? Well...actually yes, as Lorena Ochoa will not be this website’s odds-on choice for the first time in its existence. And as far as longshots go, my gut feeling was that it might finally have been Michelle Wie’s time (a hunch I had before her Sunday 64 in Ohio)....except that she managed not to qualify herself into the Open field. So perhaps Morgan Pressel? But that too is hardly a bold call after her strong showing in Sylvania.

So on that courageous note...

Lorena Ochoa (10-1) – Okay, on balance she’s still the world’s best player, but while she’s won twice already in nine 2009 starts, she’s also been out of the top 10 frequently, including T19 and T23 at the Sybase and the LPGA Championship, respectively. Toss in a 12th at the Kraft Nabisco (and that only on the strength of a final-round 69) and this is a player not precisely at the top of her game. But you’d hardly count her out...

Yani Tseng (13-1) – The world number two has been riding a bit of an up-and-down wave herself in ’09, winning the Corning Classic in late May, twice tying for 2nd and finishing five times among the top five in 14 starts. But she’s also been outside the top 20 three times (in seven starts) since early May, so...

Jiyai Shin (9-1) – Though the world number three was outside the top 10 in four straight April/May starts, she has already won twice in ’09, including two weeks ago at Rochester. Her ascent towards the top of the world rankings has been steady, and at the ripe old age of 21, she’s already a Major champion, having won the 2008 Women’s British Open. A victory here would bring world number one status into view.

Paula Creamer (15-1) – The talented young Creamer has an iffy record at the Open, only once bettering 13th (last year’s T6 at Interlachen) in six starts dating back to 2003. Has been up and down in ’09, finding form between the Kraft Nabisco and the LPGA Championship when she finished T3, T2 and T6 at Sybase, Corning and the State Farm respectively. Seems unfair but the pressure to “finally” win a Major is building...and she’s only 22! Note: Push her odds to 25-1 if the thumb injury which forced her withdrawal at the Jamie Farr is still hurting.

Cristie Kerr (16-1) – Another up-and-down ’09 performer, with four top 5s (including a win at the Michelob Ultra, and a T2 at the Kraft Nabisco) in 14 starts, but also three finishes no better than 22nd since mid-May. Won the 2007 Open at Pine Needles, so she knows what it takes.

Suzann Pettersen (10-1) – Though winless in 2009, Pettersen seemed on pretty solid form before being felled by a viral infection in June, leading to her withdrawl at the LPGA Championship (after 54 holes) and the Wegman’s. Seems fully recovered after a T6 at the Jamie Farr, however, and despite a mediocre Open record (T52 in 2005, MC in 2007) she feels like she’s ready to roll...

Angela Stanford (18-1) – One of the Tour’s most consistent players in ’09, with seven top 10s in 10 starts, including a win at the season-opening SBS Open in Hawaii. Other than a flukish T65 at Sybase (mostly due to a third-round 80), hasn’t finished worse than 7th since the Kraft Nabisco. Tied for 2nd at the 2002 Open, but otherwise has never bettered 10th in 30 career Major starts.

In Kyung Kim (21-1) – The world’s highest-ranked Kim is in strong form, with four top 10s in six starts since early May, including her second career win at the State Farm. Tied for 3rd at last year’s Open, and 9th at the ’08 Women’s British, so her Major championship form is improving...

Karrie Webb (30-1) – Webb’s foothold on a top-10 ranking is getting precarious after a solid early ’09 which saw her win in Phoenix, but largely struggle thereafter. Her last five starts have resulted in T39, T23, MC, T49 and T24 so at present, the elevator appears to be descending.

Helen Alfredsson (33-1) – Another battle-hardened veteran whose world ranking is based more on 2008 and early ’09 than recent form, though she ws among the top 15 (but no better than 11th) in four out of five LPGA starts from April though early June. Has played in 16 U.S. Women’s Opens, finishing 2nd both last year and back in 1993.

Song-Hee Kim (27-1) – This young Korean has never bettered 21st in six career Major starts and has been riding a seesaw of late, missing the cut at Wegman’s but also logging four top 10s in her last seven starts.

Lindsey Wright (20-1) – Talk about your wildcards... The up-and-coming Wright finished 4th at the Kraft Nabisco and 2nd at the LPGA Championship, yet missed the cut at both Sybase and State Farm in between. Was only once better than 16th in 15 career Major starts prior to 2009, that a 4th at the 2007 LPGA Championship.

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic

Site: TPC Deere Run – Silvis, IL
Yards: 7,257   Par: 71
Defending: Kenny Perry 268   (beat B. Adamonis & J. Williamson in a playoff)
Field: World Top 20: Kenny Perry (4), Steve Stricker (8) & Lucas Glover (17)   Other Notables: Mark Calcavecchia, David Duval, Steve Elkington, Lee Janzen & Davis Love III.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


European PGA Tour: Barclay’s Scottish Open

Site: Loch Lomond Golf Club – Glasgow, Scotland
Yards: 7,149   Par: 71
Defending: Graeme McDowell 271   (beat J. Kingston by 2)
Field: World Top 20: Geoff Ogilvy (7), Camilo Villegas (12), Ian Poulter (16), Rory McIlroy (18), Lee Westwood (19) & Ross Fisher (20)   Other Notables: Angel Cabrera, Retief Goosen, Martin Kaymer, Colin Montgomerie & Jose Maria Olazabal.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


LPGA Tour: U.S. Women’s Open

Site: Saucon Valley Country Club (Old course) – Bethlehem, PA
Yards: 6,740   Par: 71
Defending: Inbee Park 283   (beat H. Alfredsson by 4)
Field: World Top 20: The entire Rolex top 20 except Sakura Yokomine (17)   Other Notables: All who are physically able.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


Champions Tour: 3M Championship

Site: TPC Twin Cities – Blaine, MN
Yards: 7,100   Par: 72
Defending: R.W. Eaks 193   (beat G. Hallberg & B. Langer by 6)
Field: Ranked: The entire Charles Schwab Cup top 20 except Michael Allen (2) & Loren Roberts (4)   Other Notables: Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Larry Nelson, Jim Thorpe & Fuzzy Zoeller.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


Elsewhere...
JLPGA – Meiji Chocolate Cup – Sapporo, Japan
Nationwide – Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic – Clarksburg, Ontario
Euro Challenge – ALLIANZ Europen de Lyon – Monthieux, France
Canadian – Saskatchewan Open – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

PGA Tour: AT&T National

Winner: Tiger Woods 64-66-70-67   267   (beat H. Mahan by 1)
Site: Congressional Country Club (Blue course) - Bethesda, MD

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


European PGA Tour: ALSTOM Open de France

Winner: Martin Kaymer 62-72-69-68   271   (beat L. Westwood in a playoff)
Site: Le Golf National – Paris, France

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


LPGA Tour: Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic

Winner: Eunjung Yi 68-66-61-71   266   (beat M. Pressel in a playoff)
Site: Highland Meadows Golf Club – Sylvania, OH

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


Elsewhere...
LET – SAS Ladies Masters – Diana Luna 207 (Story)
Euro Challenge – Credit Suisse Challenge – Peter Baker 274 (Story)
Tour de Las Americas – Bucaramanga Open – Oscar Alvarez 273 (Story)
Canadian – TELUS Edmonton Open – James Hahn 272 (Story)

PGA Tour: AT&T National

Site: Congressional Country Club (Blue course) - Bethesda, MD
Yards: 7,255   Par: 70
Defending: Anthony Kim 268   (beat F. Jacobson by2)
Field: World Top 20: Tiger Woods (1), Paul Casey (3), Vijay Singh (9), Jim Furyk (10), Sean O’Hair (13), Anthony Kim (15) & Lucas Glover (18)   Other Notables: Paul Azinger, Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Lee Janzen, Danny Lee & Davis Love III.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


European PGA Tour: ALSTOM Open de France

Site: Le Golf National – Paris, France
Yards: 7,225   Par: 71
Defending: Pablo Larrazabal 269   (beat C. Montgomerie by 4)
Field: World Top 20: Padraig Harrington (11), Ian Poulter (17) & Lee Westwood (20)   Other Notables: Angel Cabrera, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Martin Kaymer, Colin Montgomerie & Jose Maria Olazabal.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


LPGA Tour: Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic

Site: Highland Meadows Golf Club – Sylvania, OH
Yards: 6,428   Par: 71
Defending: Paula Creamer 268   (beat N. Castrale by 2)
Field: World Top 20: The entire Rolex top 20 except Karrie Webb (10), Sakura Yokomine (17) & Yuri Fudoh (20)   Other Notables: Amanda Blumenhurst, Laura Davis, Vicky Hurst, Juli Inkster, Meh Mallon, Liselotte Nuemann, Se Ri Pak & Michelle Wie.

                    ENTRANTS          WEBSITE          GOLF COURSE          AERIAL


Elsewhere...
LET – SAS Ladies Masters – Larvik, Sweden
Euro Challenge – Credit Suisse Challenge – Luterbach, Switzerland
Tour de Las Americas – Bucaramanga Open – Bucaramanga, Columbia
Canadian – TELUS Edmonton Open – Edmonton, Alberta

PGA Tour: Travelers Championship

Winner: Kenny Perry 61-68-66-63   258   (beat P. Goydos & D. Toms by 3)
Site: TPC River Highlands - Cromwell, CT

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


European PGA Tour: BMW International Open

Winner: Nick Dougherty 69-65-68-64   266   (bear R. Echenique by 1)
Site: Munchen Eichenried Golf Club – Munich, Germany

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS

Japan Tour: Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic

Winner: Ryo Ishikawa 69-65-68-73   275   (beat D. Smail by 3)
Site: Yomiuri Country Club – Yomiuri, Japan

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


Sunshine Tour: Vodacom Origins of Golf – Eastern Cape

Winner: Brandon Pieters 72-69   141   (beat C. Whitelaw by 1)
Site: Fancourt Montagu Golf Course – Fancourt, South Africa

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


LPGA Tour: Wegman’s LPGA

Winner: Jiyai Shin 65-68-67-71   271   (beat K. McPherson & Y. Tseng by 7)
Site: Locust Hill Country Club – Pittsford, NY

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


Champions Tour: Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

Winner: Lonnie Nielsen 66-66-63   195   (beat F. Funk & R. Black by 3)
Site: En-Joie Country Club – Endicott, NY

STORY          RESULT          MONEY LIST          STATS          INTERVIEWS


Elsewhere...
LET – AIB Ladies Irish Open – Diana Luna 205 (Story)
JLPGA – Promise Ladies – Shinobu Moromizato 198
Futures – Horseshoe Casino Classic – Jean Reynolds 213 (Story)
Nationwide – Nationwide Tour Players Cup – Tom Gillis 273 (Story)
Euro Challenge – The Princess – Andrew Butterfield 271 (Story)
Tour de Las Americas – Venezuela Open – Daniel Barbetti 270  (Story)
Canadian – ATB Financial Classic – Graham DeLaet 267
Euro Seniors – PGA Seniors Championship – Carl Mason 279 (Story)