Our British Open Predictions

Who'll win this year's tournament at Carnoustie? Eight Golf Digest and Golf World staff writers pick a winner, along with a sleeper pick and a potential disappointment.

Bill Fields's Picks

< Predicted Winner: Tiger Woods. No one has won three straight Opens since Peter Thomson in 1954-56. He has motivation aplenty.
Keep An Eye On: Colin Montgomerie. Talented enough to make another run at 44.
Don't Expect Much From: Ernie Els. Would need a huge reversal of form from Masters (MC) and U.S. Open (T-51).

John Hawkins's Picks

< Predicted Winner: Jim Furyk. It will take a talented tactician to tame Carnoustie, and nobody owns a better skill/strategy combination than Furyk. Plays his best golf in the warm-weather months.
Keep An Eye On: Luke Donald. Control types will prevail at the toughest venue on the British Open rota. Donald is a straight driver and terrific iron player who is ready to take the next step.
Don't Expect Much From: Colin Montgomerie. For many years Europe's best hope to win a major, Monty puts too much pressure on himself in his homeland and isn't a good wind player.

Ryan Herrington's Picks

< Predicted Winner: Tiger Woods. A chance at history (first to win the Open three straight times in 50 years), plus the claret jug is a nice present to bring back to Sam Alexis from this business trip.
Keep An Eye On: Padraig Harrington. Hasn't played all that great since the Masters but has the talent to win a major and the Open might be his best chance.
Don't Expect Much From: Zach Johnson. Masters champ not only hasn't made the cut in three previous British Open starts but has broken par in just one of six rounds.

Mike Johnson's Picks

< Predicted Winner: Ernie Els. Strong showing at Loch Lomond boosts confidence heading into an event where he has posted a half-dozen top 3s. Granted, Carnoustie in 1999 (T-24) was not one of them.
Keep An Eye On: Justin Rose. His back appears fully healed and with five international wins to his credit, this soon-to-be 27-year-old has the head and the game to contend.
Don't Expect Much From: Jim Furyk. Yes, he finished fourth in the Open Championship last year, but Furyk had missed the cut in the five previous British Opens.