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CARNOUSTIE, Scotland -- The rain fell so hard, it slanted sideways. The temperatures dropped so quickly, fans were able to see their vaporized breath. Walking pneumonia became a distinct possibility. Caps, pulled down to battle the elements blowing in from the North Sea, covered eyebrows.
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| Tiger Woods' love for the British Open seems evident Tuesday. (Getty Images) |
"All in the same day," cracked Ricci Roberts, a longtime caddie.
Be it rain or shine, as others holed up in hotels and the clubhouse, one prominent player stayed on the course no matter what. As one of his peers observed, there's probably a lesson there for the rest of us.
Despite a veritable gale that scared off fans and many of his fellow competitors, Tiger Woods was off the first tee at 6 a.m. for his Monday practice round, undeterred by the circumstances and steeled for a week of misery, mystery and mastery. At the British Open, Woods has become Father Nature -- adapting to wind, rain, heat or cold, not to mention whatever capriciousness the quirky links courses might present.
This week at Carnoustie Golf Links, Woods is seeking to become the first player in 50 years to win three consecutive British Open titles. Anybody who believes his wind vane will change directions anytime soon might wish to consult the last man to turn the hat trick hereabouts.
"I think he's got a chance to win eight in a row," said Aussie legend Peter Thomson, who won three consecutive Opens starting in 1954. "If I could do it, surely he can."
It has become increasingly obvious as to why. Thirty-one years ago, when Earl and Tida Woods tabbed their son Tiger, they might have picked the wrong moniker from the animal kingdom. Chameleon might have been best, since when it comes to the British, nobody blends better into the scene and situation.
Woods, who played his first British Open in 1995 at fabled St. Andrews, professed to experiencing lust at first sight. Ever since, his affair with links golf has evolved into unconditional love.
Earlier this month, in a first, he flatly admitted that the British Open has become his favorite major -- even though he has won each of the other Gland Slam events twice or more, too. It came as a surprising admission to some of his American fans, to be sure. Who knew that, in his heart, Tiger Woods wanted to be Seve Ballesteros?
"I love playing over here because it allows you to be creative," Woods said Tuesday. "Augusta National used to be that way. The U.S. Open is obviously not. The PGA is similar to a U.S. Open setup.
"Over here, you can create shots."
Still, this is a guy who never goes off half-concocted.
