Thursday, July 20, 2000
The Big Easy proves he's no
pushover
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — The Big
Easy is determined to make it anything but for Tiger Woods.
Coming off his first victory in 18 months,
Ernie Els showed up at the British Open bent on proving he got
his nickname for that graceful swing and carefree attitude, not
as Woods' favorite runner-up.
Before he struck his first shot Thursday,
he saw Woods in a familiar place — atop the leaderboard,
and in fast pursuit of the career Grand Slam.
“When you see Tiger at 5 under and
you haven't even started, you know you've got your work cut out
for you,” Els said.
The 30-year-old South African was up to
the task.
Riding his experience from eight Dunhill
Cups at St. Andrews, Els made the last of his eight birdies on
one of the most difficult holes in golf — the infamous Road
Hole — for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over Woods
and Steve Flesch.
“You need a good, solid opening round
to contend,” said Els, an 18-hole leader for the first time
since the 1997 Buick Classic.
He wasn't alone.
To keep the Old Course from turning into
a baked-out linksland, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club poured
water on the fairways and greens overnight. Along with only a
gentle breeze off the North Sea, storied St. Andrews yielded 50
rounds under par.
Woods, trying to become only the fifth player
— and youngest at 24 — to win all four major championships,
shot a 67 and extended his amazing run to 44 consecutive holes
in majors without a bogey.
“Even par or better is going to be
a good start,” Woods said after his 20th consecutive round
at par or better.
Two strokes behind at 68 was a group that
included '96 British Open champion Tom Lehman and 20-year-old
Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Notah Begay, who was 7 under before a
Jean Van de Velde moment on the 17th, and Jim Furyk were among
those at 69.
Six players who have won majors — including
three-time British Open champion Nick Faldo — were at 70,
along with David Duval.
“It's a long championship,” Woods
said, in no hurry to make history.
Els has been part of the wrong kind of history
lately.
Three times this year alone — and five
times in his career — Els has finished second to Woods, more
than any other player. The most notorious came last month in the
U.S. Open, when Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez were a record 15
strokes behind at Pebble Beach.
Els spent the better part of an hour running
out of adjectives to describe Woods and running out of excuses
why he hasn't won a major since his second U.S. Open title three
years ago at Congressional.
After his round Thursday, he wasn't in the
mood for either.
“Should I talk about Tiger again? Come
on guys,” he said. “I just shot 66.”
Starting late in the afternoon, when the
overnight water had evaporated and dust was flying with every
iron struck off the crusty fairways, Els picked up four birdies
on the first seven holes, all of which played downwind.
He made birdie on the two shortest holes
at St. Andrews, and both par 5s. But the most impressive came
at No. 17, which requires a tee shot over part of the Old Course
Hotel and an approach to a rock-hard green protected by a bunker
with a face 8 feet high.
After a perfect drive, he hit a 6-iron to
10 feet for one of only four birdies at the Road Hole in the opening
round.
“If you make four 4s there this week,
you have to be the happiest man,” Els said.
Woods wasn't complaining, either.
For most of the day, it appeared as though
the scenery was the only thing that had changed from the last
major championship.
Carmel Bay or St. Andrews Bay? Penal rough
or pot bunkers? Target golf or links golf? None of that made a
difference to Woods, who has won two of the last three majors
and has contended in the last seven.
“You're accustomed to seeing his name
up there on the leaderboard,” Flesch said. “He doesn't
play poorly very often.”
Despite a few loose swings in the opening
holes, Woods never lost his patience. He was plodding along with
pars — no birdie putt shorter than 35 feet over the first
eight holes — when he watched a threesome walk up the adjacent
10th fairway.
All of them — including 64-year-old
Bob Charles — were under par. At that point, Woods was six
strokes off the lead.
Seven holes later, Woods pointed his index
finger at the cup as his fifth birdie fell, and his name was posted
once again atop the board.
Just like Els, he birdied the two short
holes — No. 10 at 379 yards and No. 12 at 314 yards, and
saved his best for the Road Hole.
Woods appeared to be in trouble on the 17th
when he missed the fairway to the left. Standing shin-high in
rough, he gouged out a shot long enough to find the short grass,
but not so far that it brought the bunker into play.
He saved his par with a 100-foot putt that
hopped along and slowed near the hole.
“It was a good shot,” Woods said,
when asked why his caddie was applauding.
The only cheers that matter will come Sunday
afternoon, and there is plenty of work left for Els, Woods and
everyone else.
Els won at Loch Lomond last week and is
confident he can keep it going. He also knows what to expect.
“When I play well, I'm probably going
to play with Tiger somewhere this week, because he plays at that
level just about every week,” he said.
Els is only looking for a different result.
“If he beats me by 15 strokes from
now, there should be an inquiry.”
Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address)
of This Story to A Friend:
|
