British Open 2008 Report Card
Tiger Woods, did not play
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.
Phil Mickelson, T-19, 294 (+14)
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.
Geoff Ogilvy, MC, 151 (+11)
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.
Adam Scott, T-16, 293 (+13)
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.
Ernie Els, T-7, 292 (+12)
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.
Stewart Cink, MC, 150 (+10)
What worked: It's hard to find statistical plusses in his week, but despite 61 putts, he never three-putted.What didn't: Thursday's 75 was the result of Cink hitting just four fairways in the wind and the rain.PGA prospects: Positive memories? Cink's first major was a T-16 in the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills.
Sergio Garcia, T-51, 297 (+17)
What worked: He hit 11 fairways and 13 greens Thursday, and his first-round 72 was his week's best score.What didn't: His scores got progressively higher, ending with a final-round 78 and rumors of an injured hand.PGA prospects: Positive memories! Garcia was a star on Europe's 2004 Ryder Cup rout at Oakland Hills.
Steve Stricker, T-7, 292 (+12)
What worked: After nine bogeys in his first 16 holes, he only made eight more, just one on the back nine.What didn't: Holes four through six were a bane for many players. Stricker played them in nine over par.PGA prospects: After four MCs he's trending upward going T-29, T-18 and T-7 in his last three starts.
Justin Rose, T-70, 301 (+21)
What worked: Shot 74 in the heart of the bad weather Thursday, giving hope to those who recalled 1998.What didn't: Eight over for the first eight holes Saturday, he began the day with six bogeys and a double.PGA prospects: He has had more success in the other majors, with two MCs, but no top-10s in five PGAs.
Vijay SIngh, MC, 151 (+11)
What worked: Like Phil and Ernie he rebounded Friday, but his 71 wasn't enough to overcome Thursday's 80.What didn't: Got a bad break with the draw Thursday and never recovered. He called the day "miserable."PGA prospects: Now 15th on the World Ranking, Singh was T-7 at the 1996 U.S. Open.