I was on PGATOUR.com the other day and found a fascinating stat.
Of the past eight British Open Champions, seven of them ranked inside the top 11 at the tournament in scrambling (ability to make par or better after missing the green). Only Stewart Cink, who lucked-out with a Tom Watson missed put on 18 to eventually win in a playoff, finished outside that group.
And with a huge wind expected at Royal St. George’s it figures to make scrambling again a key stat on the links style course.
So who is best suited to take advantage?
White-hot Steve Stricker (+3000), coming off a three-peat at the John Deere Classic which moved him into second place in the FedEx Cup Standings, is the current tour leader in scrambling at 66.27 percent. Other notables include Jason Day (+3500) at 65.42 percent and Zach Johnson (+8000) at 64.72.
Still not sold? Ben Curtis (+10,000), who last won the tournament at Royal St. George’s in 2003, ranks eighth on the tour at 64.21 percent.
Who do you have to win the British Open? What do you think will be the biggest factor?