British Open Predictions 2012: Final Predictions for Field's Notable Names

First-round tee times for the 2012 British Open are in reach. Time for me to put on my fortune teller ring and predict how Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and others will fare at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

The course will not be friendly to many. I suspect it won't be to my predictions either. Let's stare into the crystal ball and sort out the Open Championship field.

If you are reading this piece for potential bets, make sure to put lots of Monopoly money on my picks. Don't say I didn't tell you.

Tiger Woods

The question to ask isn’t whether Tiger Woods is back; that narrative has been well overblown.

The mystery at Royal Lytham is whether Woods can handle the lofty expectations brought about by his recent tournament victories. His best tournaments this year have been without the national cameras in tow on Days one and two.

This weekend, he won’t be able to escape the limelight in the practice round.

Prediction: Woods’s ball striking hasn’t been steady enough to be able to avoid the roughs and traps. He won’t be able to save par from those treacherous lies. Expect Woods to fall behind early, but stick around as the weekend draws to a close.

Finishes T-9^th (-4).

Rory Mcllroy

The “Rory McIlroy Bandwagon” has lost a few followers recently, but he’s one of the few talents on the course who can blow away the entire field. Just check out the highlights of last year’s U.S. Open.

Rory’s been playing on European soil for the past two weeks to adjust his game for this weekend. A victory would earn him his second major in his career.

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“I’ve spent the last two weeks preparing for Lytham. There are a lot of tee shots that you have to hit left-right at Lytham, so I’ve been working on fading and sharpening everything up. I’m ready to go.” via Express

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In addition, McIlroy is no stranger to the actual Royal Lytham course, with multiple amateur appearances under his belt.

Prediction: I like the approach McIlroy’s been taking for the Open, he’ll have a strong weekend. Not enough, though.

T-3 (-9).

Padraig Harrington

Harrington’s two British Open titles (2007 and 2008) paint him the most successful Open Championship player in the field.

His short game always seems to keep him in it early on; if no one capitalizes on the course (see Lee Westwood, 2008), Harrington is one of those ball strikers that always sees an opportunity.

The two-time Open champion finished in fourth at the U.S. Open last month, only two strokes back of winner Webb Simpson. In addition, he’s had a top 20 finish in the last five tournaments he’s played.

Prediction: As good as Harrington has been, he has also been uninspired at times. Not his weekend.

MISSES CUT.

Lee Westwood

Still major-less. Still hungry. Will Lee Westwood ever get his fairy-tale ending?

Known for his consistent up-and-down game, the No. 3 golfer in the world has been in contention at major championships on so many occasions—with two second-place finishes, two thirds and four fourths. He will attempt to end his major drought at 58 with his first at Royal Lytham & St. Annes this weekend.

Prediction: He’s one of the few golfers in this tournament that has the power and consistency to stay afloat even if the course beats up most players. That’s how this major championship will be won.

Wins Tournament (-11).

Other Notable Names

Phil Mickelson: Finishes 31^st (-2). Many are wondering why Phil isn’t getting the same pub as Tiger or McIlroy this weekend. Tinkering with his swing has a lot to do with it; he’s still a long way away.

Luke Donald: Finishes 43rd (E). Another tough Major outing for the world’s top golfer. Maybe a new ranking system is in the cards.

Darren Clarke: Finishes 56^th (+3). Last year’s champion will get a chorus of cheers when he takes the first tee, but that will be his last relevant moment this tournament.