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British Open 2019: Power ranking the top ten golfers at Royal Portrush

By Mike Randleman

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Claret Jug is pictured at Royal Portrush Golf Club during a media event on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Claret Jug is pictured at Royal Portrush Golf Club during a media event on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND – JULY 22: Tiger Woods of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the final round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 22, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND – JULY 22: Tiger Woods of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the final round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 22, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Tiger Woods has kept it pretty low key this summer. Can you blame him? When you’re 43 with a balky back and have 142 worldwide wins, it’s all about the majors at this point.

Some thought he might have paid a visit to inaugural events in Michigan or Minnesota, but Woods has opted to rest the entire way from the U.S. Open in June to now.

He’s played just thrice since the Masters in April: MC at the PGA Championship, T-9 at the Memorial and T-21 at the U.S. Open.

This will be Woods’ 21st British Open start. He won in 2000, 2005 and 2006. Big Cat’s also seven more top-10s including contending last year with a T-6.

He’s one of golf’s all-time tacticians and always seems to have a steady plan around links courses. The 2000 win at St. Andrew’s comes to mind first when he avoided all 112 bunkers during the week.

He’s not as long relative to the rest of the Tour, but he’s still one of the best ball strikers. Woods should be relieved he can take iron or fairway wood off the tee at Royal Portove rush. That allows his elite iron play (.863 strokes gained approach) to take over.

Woods does not have enough qualifying rounds for PGA Tour statistical ranks, but he’s above average in all categories and has been good tee to green.

The putter has been more cold than hot and Woods has never been a fan of the slow Open greens, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Long courses no longer suit him perfectly, so he’ll be licking his lips at a shorter course like Portrush where approach shots are valued.

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