Playing In Pain
IT'S STARTING to feel like more than a coincidence that NFL training camps commence the week after the British Open. As the world of men's professional golf hobbles into Royal Birkdale, the PGA Tour may want to begin issuing NFL-style injury reports. Ignoring the most obvious hole in the lineup—that's Tiger Woods—defending Open champion Padraig Harrington is nursing a sore neck that he tweaked working out before last week's European Open, where he played through the pain to finish 14th (two under, 286). At the same time the field was a little thin at the Mr. Gimpy Open (a.k.a. the AT&T National) in Bethesda, Md., where Adam Scott begged off to let his broken right hand heal, Vijay Singh tore himself away to rest his aching ribs, and Zach Johnson took some time to deal with a wrist injury. José Maria Olaàbal, burdened with fatigue and a sore back, didn't even make it through Open qualifying, and neither did Thomas Bjorn, who pulled out with a shoulder injury. What about Phil Mickelson? He hasn't gone public with any injuries, but it's possible that he skipped Tiger's hoedown because he was suffering from homesickness. He spent the Fourth in San Diego with the family.
• LOOKS AS IF we're in for a classic at Royal Birkdale. True, 16 of the 18 holes have been altered since it last hosted, but the course has a history of producing great winners. Of the seven players who've claimed the claret jug at Birkdale, five of them are in the World Golf Hall of Fame. And two of those past champs will be in the field: Tom Watson (1983) and Mark O'Meara ('98). O'Meara, actually, is one of the more interesting dark horses. He's only 51, has played well in spurts on the Champions tour and, in addition to his win at Birkdale a decade ago, he tied for third there in '91.... Even if there's no throwback winner, there will be traditional British Open weather. The long-range forecast calls for rain and wind on Thursday, followed by gusty conditions on Friday and Saturday. Sunday will be prime for the finish with cool temperatures, partly cloudy skies and softer breezes.
• TONY ROMO, a native of Burlington, Wis., was home visiting family and decided to join his father, Ramiro, in the Ray Fischer 72-hole Amateur Championship at Riverside Golf Course in Janesville, an event run by the Wisconsin Public Links Association. The Dallas Cowboys' quarterback, a two handicapper, started well, shooting 69 and 70, five under par, and was tied for third (in a 172-man field) after Saturday's second round. He shot a 74 in the third round on Sunday morning and was fading on the front side of the final 18 when he withdrew and left in a hurry. The reason? He had to get girlfriend Jessica Simpson to the airport.... This week's Nationwide Tour Players Cup at Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport, W.Va., will be the first event on the developmental circuit to boast a $1 million purse. The field will consist of the top 144 money earners on the tour this year.
Get news, scores and photos from the John Deere Classic at GOLF.com.
"Where in the world is Lorena Ochoa?"
—PEPPER MILL, PAGE G14
KEY STAT 155
Yards added to Birkdale since the British Open was last played there, in 1998.
For Sale
Phil Mickelson's Rancho Santa Fe mansion hits the open market
WHAT
Lefty's Lair
WHERE
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
COST
From $10 million to $12 million
HOOK
This has been Phil's family estate since 2000. The four-bedroom, single-story home sits on 4.5 acres and has a putting green right next to the swimming pool.
FRINGE BENEFIT
Phil's new house is nearby, so there's a chance he'll get "distracted" one night and accidentally return to the old place.
PHOTO
BRANDON MALONE/ACTION IMAGES/ICON SMI (FISHER)
CLUB SALAD Ross Fisher hacked out of the hay while winning the European Open at the London Golf Club. The 27-year-old from England opened with a 63 that broke the course record set by Seve Ballesteros in 1984.
PHOTO
PRUDENTIAL REALTY (HOUSE)