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World’s best return to Old Course
   British Open picks

   The Old Course at St. Andrews might be the most familiar site in major championship golf. If it’s not, it has to be right there with Augusta National.
   Regardless where you may stand on that debate, the Old Course’s place in golf’s history is secure and anytime the British Open rotates back to Scotland for “The Championship,” it’s a special event.
   When you add that to the fact English players have been performing so well in 2010 and the

Ryder Cup is coming to Wales this fall, things are looking especially rosy for the game in that part of the world.
   But Americans have won the last three Opens contested on the hallowed grounds of St. Andrews. Tiger Woods won by eight shots in 2000 and backed that up with his second St. Andrews Open title in 2005 by five strokes. Iconic John Daly won his second major with another improbable victory in the 1995 edition, defeating Italian Costantino Rocca in a playoff. You have to go back to the 1990 Open to find an English player winning at St. Andrews. That’s when current CBS color commentator Nick Faldo won his second of three Claret jugs with a record 270 total. Seve Ballesteros kept Tom Watson from winning his sixth there in 1984 and Jack Nicklaus won two British Opens at St. Andrews in the 1970s.
   Picking a winner this year is difficult.
   Woods has yet to return to his “old self” in his 2010 campaign. But his past performance at St. Andrews cannot be overlooked even though no player has won three Opens there. Or will Phil Mickelson finally add a British Open to his major resume? It appears to be the two Americans against a cast of likely European heroes that includes recent Tour winner Justin Rose, frequent major challenger Lee Westwood, 2007 and 2008 champion Padraig Harrington and Irish young gun Rory McIlroy.
   Our panel wades in…

   Cary Cozby, Wichita Country Club PGA professional/CEO: Pick: Woods “I will take Tiger for my pick, based on his past history there.”
   Dark horse: “I will select Alvaro Quiros…hits it a mile and pretty solid around the greens.”

   Casey Old, Kansas Golf Association director of rules & competitions: Pick: Ernie
Els “Ernie Els – playing consistent all 2010 and I think St Andrews will be his major to win this year.”
   Dark horse: Martin Kaymer. “A good young player that is going to win a major eventually and it could be at the Old Course this year.”

   Conrad Roberts, Kansas Four-Ball champion and former KU golfer: Pick: Westwood “In a Ryder Cup year on home soil I have to pick a couple of local lads who are playing the best golf of their careers. My first pick is Lee Westwood, who after a disappointing U.S. Open, will be more determined than ever to rebound with an Open win at the home of golf.”
   Dark horse: “My dark horse has to be Justin Rose. It's hard to believe that it's been twelve years since Justin burst onto the scene with a fourth-place finish at Royal Birkdale as an amateur, but considering his current form, a first-place finish at St. Andrews is well within his reach.”

   Craig Jorgensen, Kansas Golf Foundation director: Pick: Rose/Dustin Johnson “Justin Rose for the obvious but he also has a score to settle from years ago at the British Open. Dustin Johnson - a bounce back from Pebble Beach and his length will be helpful.”
   Dark horse: “Tom Watson of course! You have to love his spirit, age and competitiveness. He will make the cut and contend!”

   Kim Richey, KGA executive director: Pick: Westwood “After the U.S. Open one might think (Graeme) McDowell a good pick. He will certainly have a lot of local support. Mickelson and Woods will be contenders but it just feels like a year for a first-time major winner. So I am sticking with my U.S. Open pick to get it done at St. Andrews – Lee Westwood.”
   Dark horse: “For a dark horse, I’ll throw out the name of Dustin Johnson! He is as long as Tiger off the tee, and maybe he learned something mentally at Pebble Beach on Sunday. The British Open at St. Andrews is always a fun one to watch!”

   Larry Barrett, KGA board member: Pick: Rose “Well, after (July 4’s) event, how about Justin Rose? He is currently on a hot streak and is a fine player who speaks with the ‘correct’ accent.”
   Dark horse: “As for a dark horse, can anyone top Tom Watson? He continues to be playing marvelous golf and if he has a few positive breaks could certainly come out on top. He would be a very popular winner at St. Andrews and in Kansas!”

   Matt Ewald, 2009 Kansas Amateur champion: Pick: Westwood “Has had a great year so far and beginning to prove himself all over the world…could be a big week for him on European soil.”
   Dark horse: Woods “Probably not a dark horse…but he is up and down this year…the guy has the history here and this could be the week he gets things turned around for himself.”

   Rusty Hilst, KGA championship administrator and longtime Hutchinson High golf coach: Pick: Woods “Fourth at the Masters, fourth at the U.S. Open, Tiger Woods, with all kinds of room in which to contain his driver, wins the Open.”
   Dark horse: “Big bomber Phil Mickelson finally plays well at a British Open site, but can't make up for Tiger's course knowledge at St. Andrews.”

   Scott Wogomon, Kansas Golfer Online: Pick: Ian Poulter “There is a lot of momentum for a player from the UK to win this and Poulter played fairly well the last time it was held at St. Andrews. He’s about ready to win a first major so the timing feels right.”
   Dark horse: “Every once in a while a veteran American player breaks out and wins his first (and often only) major in a British Open (e.g. Bill Rogers, Mark Calcavecchia, Tom Lehman, Justin Leonard)…I’ll go with Steve Stricker this time.”

    Tyler Cummins, KGA junior golf manager: Pick: Woods “Tiger Woods is bound to have a good week sometime or another. Some say he won’t win in 2010, but St. Andrews has treated him well in the past. I expect these good memories to boost Tiger to his first victory this year and fourth British Open title.”
   Dark horse: “John Daly is a past champion at St. Andrews and I expect him to not only make a loud statement with his golf attire, but also on the course.”