The Open Championship: Power ranking the top 10 for Carnoustie

CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - APRIL 24: A view of The Claret Jug for The Open Championship media day at Carnoustie Golf Links on April 24, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. The 147th Open Championship will take place at Carnoustie between 19th-22nd July 2018 (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

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CARNOUSTIE, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 22: Sergio Garcia of Spain and Amateur Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during the presentation at The 136th Open Championship at the Carnoustie Golf Club on July 22, 2007 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

In 1999, Sergio Garcia was hit upside the head by Carnoustie’s difficulty in missing the cut as a teenager. Armed with more experience, Garcia appeared to have the 2007 Open in the bag for his first major.

His putt to win on the 72nd darted across the hole and the rest was history after Padraig Harrington prevailed in the playoff.

Now no longer in search of his first career major, Garcia should arrive to Carnoustie with a pretty level head.

He comes into the week off of two weeks of rest. He tied for 12th at the BMW International Open and was T8 at the Open de France in his last start.

Garcia has not played in the Dunhill Links, so his only course knowledge comes from the two Opens.

The Spaniard is 17th on the European Tour in strokes gained off the tee, third in sand saves and 22nd in putts per GIR. He’s got the ball striking to hang in well if the wind kicks up, especially if his short game behaves.

Garcia’s kept a light schedule this year and will be among the freshest players teeing it up this week as he aims for the second leg of his career Grand Slam.

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