Jul 15

Written by:
7/15/2008 

 Watching Tiger Woods win a major is a little like driving past a fender bender.  You don't wanna see it, but you can't help but turn and look.  Woods has taken the game of golf to new heights and his play in recent majors has been nothing short of remarkable.

There's something to be said, though, of a major championship that's completely unpredictable.  Without the option of betting on Tiger or the field, it's hard to say who'll step in to fill the void left by the world's top player.

I can think of one person who will and one who won't.

The sexy pick this week has been Ernie Els.  The Big Easy has won the British in the past, but I just don't see him playing well enough to come out on top.  Despite winning the Honda Classic earlier this year, Els' psyche is damaged beyond repair when it comes to major championships (see last month's implosion on the back nine of Torrey Pines).  Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

My pick for this year's British Open champion is Sergio Garcia.  Aside from being one of my favorite players over the last decade, the Spaniard has been knocking on the door for several years and a Tiger-free British Open seems like the perfect place for him to get over the hump.

Besides, you never know if you're going to see a scissor-kick, spittle in the cup or a little sulking after a three-putt from eight feet.  If nothing else, Garcia is pure entertainment.  Let's just hope he leaves 2006's canary suit in the closet.

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