2009 BRITISH OPEN PREVIEW:
Lined by craggy rocks with sand dunes framing almost every hole, the legendary Turnberry Ailsa Course will host the 2009 British Open July 16-19. Turnberry has been the host of 3 previous Open Championships, most recently in 1994 when Nick Price took home the Claret Jug. The two Opens at Turnberry before that were 1986 (Greg Norman) and 1977 (Tom Watson). The 2009 Open starts with practice rounds on Monday, July 13th. That is when the best golfers in the United States, Europe and the rest of the World descend on Scotland for a chance to get their hands on a piece of history.
Irishman Pádraig Harrington returns to defend his twice-won crown against the world's finest golfers including 2009 U.S. Open Champion Justin Glover and 2009 Masters Champion Ángel Cabrera. Number one ranked Tiger Woods will tee it up at Turnberry, seeking his 15th major title and fourth Open trophy. Englishman Ross Fisher will hit the links following his fifth-place U.S. Open finish.
Golf odds makers pick Woods as a favorite with Harrington next-in-line. Other notables who could be in contention include Spain’s Sergio Garcia, South African Ernie Els and Englishman Lee Westwood.