The 150th Open Championship: Five Veteran Contenders
Sam Elder
Posted on: 12 July 2010 - 15:36
Golf
Over the last few years, The Open has continually thrown up a surprise golden oldie contender. Tom Watson came perilously close to winning last year, with Greg Norman also rolling back the years with a 3rd place finish in 2008. Sport.co.uk takes a closer look at who could be flying the flag for the seniors this week:
John Daly
Daly’s love affair with the British Open is well documented, but golf has taken a backseat in Long John’s life again recently. However, he did manage to muster a top 30 finish last week at the Scottish Open. As unpredictable as anyone in golf, who would put it past Daly to rediscover the magic which earned him the 1995 Open at St Andrews?
Nick Faldo
After the heroics of Watson and Norman in recent Open’s, Nick Faldo’s is many commentators tip to emerge as a surprise contender at St Andrews. Although Faldo spends most of his time away from competitive golf these days, it would be a fantastic spectacle if Faldo could use his great experience to roll back the years.
Mark O’Meara
At 53, Mark O’Meara is in the latter stages of his career, but experience is always an advantage when it comes to links golf. The 1998 Open Champion possesses an excellent record at the major’s; with 11 top ten’s in total over a fruitful career. O’Meara has also been playing some decent golf on the Champions Tour in 2010, where he is currently 9th on the money list.
David Duval
David Duval has endured one of the most high profile slumps in golf’s history since his victory at The Open in 2001, and having failed to even gain a tour card in 2010, few will expect Duval to compete this week. However, stranger things have happened in recent British Opens. Duval is a popular figure with the British crowd, and they’ll certainly be behind him should he start promisingly.
Tom Watson
Not again, surely? Tom Watson never ceases to amaze the golfing world. At 60, the lovable American finished a remarkable 2nd to Stewart Cink last year. Can lightening really strike twice? Only time will tell.