Wide Open

The final round of the Open is underway, and it seems to be wide open - there are thirteen players within five shots of the lead and another eight just one stroke further back. Conditions seem fairly benign today, so scoring should be better but you just never know with that coastal wind - if it picks up it can cause carnage.
At the start of the tournament, with Tiger Woods a ridiculously short price in the betting market, I took four against the field - Jiminez, Westwood, Justin Rose and Vijay Singh - and they've all been there or thereabouts over the first three days; Jiminez even led overnight on Thursday. Turnberry tamed the Tiger, but all of my selections made the cut. Yesterday was costly, though, and now only Westwood has a realistic chance of winning. It is a very realistic chance, however - he has been steady, consistent, is making very few errors and he could well do it.
Westwood would be a hugely popular winner, but there are a couple of others who would be even more popular with the headline writers. 'Old' Tom Watson, heading the field at the age of 59 and going for a record-equalling sixth Open victory. It would be a wonderful story, but the weight of history will be bearing down on Tom's narrow shoulders as he's cheered by thousands of well wishers from shot to shot. I'd love to be proved wrong (and, let's face it, I usually am!)but I think the pressure and emotion will prove just too much for Tom this afternoon.
And what about young Ross Fisher? He's well up there, and with his wife due to give birth to their first child at any minute what a fairytale story this would be. If Ross can cope with that external pressure and win the Open - a huge ask - will he call his new child Open or Turnberry?
It will all unfold this afternoon and I'm sure there will be plenty of ups and downs before the Open winner is crowned this evening - a play-off is a distinct possibility. My heart says Tom Watson, but my head says Westwood, Cink and Furyk will be fighting it out at the business end. And don't rule out Retief Goosen, either - he never gives up. Here's hoping for some inclement weather just to give it a wee bit of added spice!

The above picture isn't Turnberry - it's storm clouds boiling over the city skyline the other night.