Woods missed his first major since turning pro because of stress fractures in his left leg and a torn ACL in his left knee. The only other top-ranked player to miss a major since the World Ranking began in 1986 is Greg Norman at the 1988 British Open. Norman was recovering from a wrist injury suffered at the U.S. Open.
British Open 2008 Report Card
July 25, 2008
1. Tiger Woods, did not play
Grade: DNP
2. Phil Mickelson, T-19, 294 (+14)
Grade: C
What worked: With solid play in even rounds, his T-19 looked good despite his problems on links courses.
What didn't: He had trouble controlling his ball flight in the wind (see page 70) and hit just 28 fairways.
PGA prospects: Oakland Hills was the site of the failed Ryder Cup pairing with Tiger Woods in 2004.
3. Geoff Ogilvy, MC, 151 (+11)
Grade: F
What worked: Was third in putts (52) after two rounds, but that was more a function of his failure to hit greens.
What didn't: The wind and rain derailed his game Thursday when he hit three greens and made eight bogeys.
PGA prospects: He was playing well before Birkdale, and with three top-10s at the PGA, he should rebound.
4. Adam Scott, T-16, 293 (+13)
Grade: C+
What worked: Scott was pleased with his play in his first-round 70, but admitted he had to grind to go that low.
What didn't: Another long hitter who didn't hit many fairways in the wind and rain. Scott was T-56 in accuracy.
PGA prospects: The injured hand appears healed, but he needs to keep pace early to contend in a major.
5. Ernie Els, T-7, 292 (+12)
Grade: B-
What worked: Talk about odd day/even day schisms, the Friday/Sunday 69s gave Els his 12th British top-10.
What didn't: Thursday and Saturday. Thursday's 80 was his highest PGA Tour score since the '06 Memorial.
PGA prospects: Els has finished T-5 or better in three of the last five PGA Championships.
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