British Open 2011: 5 Bold Predictions for the Season's Third Major

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The British Open is my favourite major. 

I don't know why I love it so much, it could be because it is so different, the links style, the wind, and the conditions are just not seen any other time of the year. 

It could be the history, in the land where golf was created, at the oldest tournament in the world the Open provides a sort of mystique about it. 

If the wind is not blowing, the course is always unassuming, but when the wind is up, the course always shows it's bite. 

But maybe the best reason why I love the British Open is because of where I live. 

As a kid, I would wake up, watch the Open, and go out in the afternoon and pretend I was the hero I just watched on TV for five hours. 

The British Open is a special time for me and many other people around the world. 

Here are 5 of my bold predictions for the third major of the year. 

As always, feel free to comment with your predictions for this year's tournament. 

Phil Mickelson Will Miss the Cut

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Phil Mickelson has never preformed well in the British Open. 

In 17 attempts at the British, Mickelson has only mustered one top ten finish, a solo third place in 2004. 

Mickelson has never been able to adapt to the links style of play. 

Mickelson remains a great player and certainly has the ability to make the cut this week, I just don't think it is realistic. 

Mickelson has not had a top-10 finish since the Wells Fargo Championship in May. 

Sergio Garcia Will Continue to Surprise and Impress

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The only knock on Sergio Garcia's game is his putting. 

The British Open is known to have slightly slower, thus easier, greens. This can only help Garcia's game.

Garcia has had an impressive comeback trail with a T7 finish at the U.S. Open and a second place finish at the BMW International Open.

I expect Sergio to continue his success at the Open, I do not expect him to win, but a top-10 finish is likely.

Rory McIlroy Will Come Close, Fall Just Short

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Rory McIlroy will preform well this week. 

Some first time major winners experience a bit of a hangover after their victory, I do not think this will happen with Rory. 

McIlroy has done well at the British Open before, finishing T3 last year and finished the Low Amateur in 2007. 

I expect Rory to contend a this week's British Open, however I do not think a victory is in his cards.

The Open Will Be Decided in a Playoff

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Unlike other years, there are so many players with a realistic chance of taking home the claret jug. 

This has resulted in some of the best finishes ever. 

I think that because so many people feel they can win it, a playoff is imminent. 

This prediction is not based on any prior facts or statistics, just a gut feeling. 

Luke Donald Will Capture His First Career Major

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Luke Donald has put on a season for the ages. 

He has been the model of consistency throughout the year. 

On the PGA tour, Donald has one win and eight top-10 finishes in nine events.

On the European tour, Luke has two wins in three events and has never finished worse than second. One of these wins came just last week at the Barclay's Scottish Open, which is often considered the strongest field of the European tour season.  

The season would truly be complete with Donald's first major victory. 

In the last two Open championships, Donald has finished tied for fifth (2009), and tied for 11th (2010).