2011 British Open: It's a Derby to the Finish...Which Player Will Spit the Bit

Alas, the horses have left the paddock and are at the post. They will hit the range, send meaningless golf balls into the Sandwich night and dream of what could be this weekend.  

Some have run the two-day gauntlet at Royal St. George's with aplomb, leaving themselves positioned for the stretch-run. It's never too early to pick a favorite. After all, there are horses for courses and a bunched field of players within a nose of winning the 2011 Claret Jug.  

The hay is in the barn, the dusty course is dry and the weather report is aghast. Finally, the Open Championship with have the flavor of a derby the way it was intended—the way Old Tom Morris would've wanted it. Rain and wind. It would be a good thing to pick the golfers that are "mudders."  Ones that can engineer an umbrella, have Footjoys with spikes (Glover does) and can swing with layers (Dustin Johnson). 

Some players are in position to claim the top prize while others are poised to spit the bit.  

Find out who to watch as the weather rolls in, and the mudders take to the starting post. Also, find out who got the dreaded rail position that will be hard to overcome.  Some are built for the home stretch, others, because of their age, might come up lame.  

All, in this edition of the 2011 version of the British Open Derby.

They're at the post....

LUCAS "Spectacular Bid" GLOVER

A solid front-runner and ball striker. Glover has the knack to get it done in trying weather conditions. Has a country charm and a thoroughbred game.  

Born the same year as the Kentucky Derby crowned Spectacular Bid (1979).  This is a good sign, and he has one major (U.S. Open, Bethpage Black, 2009) in his saddle already.

Odds to win: 8-5

MIGUEL ANGEL "Go for Gin" JIMENEZ

Miguel Angel Jimenez might need to do a little more stretching on Saturday. He does have a ponytail.  

He has played above his expectations, and his only problem might be that he can't finish the race. He might need to Go for Gin (Kentucky Derby winner, 1994).  Go for Gin won by two lengths in 1994, but Jimenez will not be able to keep his stride toward the finish.  

A 47-year-old, on and off the course, that can't keep this pace.  

He won't spit the bit, he will just slowly fade off the first page of the leaderboard.

Odds to win: 18-1.

RORY "the Majestic Prince" MCLLROY

The Majestic Prince will make a comeback like no other.  

He has improved, moving up the rail after an abyssmal trip to Wimbledon.  There is fight in this horse.  In 1969, when Majestic Prince won the Derby, he started from the far outside post position.  He had to gallop a lot of real estate to make up the difference.  

Rory knows he has ground to make up, but he's still the favorite even though he's four strokes back at even par.  

A good omen: Majestic Prince won the Preakness as well.  See the comparison, U.S. Open Champion, the British Open Champion....Just not a great mudder if things get wet.

Odds to win: 4-1.

TOM "Northern Dancer" LEHMAN

Not a chance.  Even though his pedigree (1996 Open Championship) says differently, Lehman will likely pull a hamstring (do horses have those) in the stretch run.  

From Minnesota, the Northern Dancer won the Kentucky Derby in 1964, when Lehman was nary a five-year-old.  

This horse does not have the stamina for the home stretch.  And, neither does Lehman.  

Odds to win: 33-1.

DAVIS "Bold Ruler" LOVE III

Tremendous blood lines. Davis Love III has the spirit of a champion, he just can't run the race anymore.

Excellent leader that will do exceptional as the Ryder Cup captain. This is just not his kind of track. He's not a mudder.  Wet and muddy is no place for a Tar Heel.  

Could manage to make a slight run on Saturday.  But, not a Claret Jug holder. That will be reserved for the younger-set.  

In the 1957 Derby, Bold Ruler went off as a 6-5 favorite, but he faded in the back stretch.  Deja vu.

Odds to win:  30-1

MARTIN "Ferdinand" KAYMER

Real potential. A silent champion and a mudder. Great in testy conditions.  Should challenge for the lead and will likely be in a stride for stride, stroke for stroke epic with Majestic Prince (Rory Mcllroy).  

Writer Ray Paulick penned in 2003, "Toshiharu Kaibazawa, who worked as a stallion groom at Arrow Stud during the horse's years there. He called the former champion 'the gentlest horse you could imagine."  The same demeanor as Kaymer.  

Should be nose to nose with Mcllroy on Sunday. Could someday win the Grand Slam or the Triple Crown; he's that good.  Silently at three-under, great position in the field.

Odds to win: 7-1.

DUSTIN "Swale" JOHNSON

He will make a run. He has the stride of a champion; it's just simply not his time.  

Swale did win the 1984 Kentucky Derby—the same year Dustin Johnson was born. Ironic?  And, he is truly the best mudder, afterall, that's the definition of swale—low moist soil.  And, it will certainly be moist at Royal St. George's.  

He will fight to the finish; he's just not ready for the bright lights of the winner's circle. He must learn the reins. He has been affirmed to have all the talent and will win a major one day. The longest hitter on the leaderbaord.  

Odds to win: 15-1

SERGIO "Barbaro" GARCIA

He has looked good all week. But, Sergio Garcia is too far off the pace.

Barbaro never had the patience, same as Garcia. He has the talent, the looks of a champion, just an empty trophy shelf.  It remains empty, Garcia will spit the bit on Saturday.  

Why Barboro?  Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby and shattered his leg two weeks later. Garcia will shatter his putter on Sunday.  

Odds to win: 25-1

CHARL "Smarty Jones" SCHWARTZEL

Schwartzel has proven he's good in a pack of horses. He showed up on Sunday and beat every horse on the back nine at Augusta.  A great swing, but an even smarter player.

 If the leaderboard is bunched, look for this horse to make a move. A real long shot but has the presence and the patience to hang around.  Has the look of a stallion, just like the 2004 Kentucky Derby champion Smarty Jones.  

Odds to win: 12-1

PHIL "Secretariat" MICKELSON

Just too much of a plodder for the wet track. He will not make a move, because he can't find the footing or pace on the greens.  Has one of the best jockeys in Bones Mackay, but that won't carry him to the tape.

Needs to play smarter on the distance holes at Royal St. George's.  A heck of a horse, but this is not his year. Mickelson was three years old when Secretariat won the Triple Crown.  

Odds to win: 45-1