Golf: Four players who could upset the odds

Wednesday 19 July 1995 23:02 BST
Comments

Gordon Sherry,

Aged 21,

Kilmarnock

No amateur has won the Open since Bobby Jones in 1930 but it is not beyond the bounds of possibility for the Scottish boy-mountain to have a great week. Sherry, 6ft 8ins, 16st, and with a shock of red hair, looks like he could be moored in the Firth of Tay as a lighthouse. Sherry and the old silver claret jug seem made for each other.

Michael Campbell

26, Titahi Bay, Wellington

If Campbell, whose great, great-great-great grandfather Sir Robin Campbell emigrated from Edinburgh to New Zealand, had three wives and produced a Maori tribe, was Scottish he would probably get into the European Ryder Cup team. Won nearly pounds 50,000 in the first two events of the European Tour. If he wins the Open will perform the haka (Maori war dance) in front of the R and A clubhouse.

David Duval

24, Jacksonville, Florida

Looks like a sparring partner for Mike Tyson but makes more money on the US Tour. Has won more than $700,000 (pounds 452,500) this year and last week he was joint sixth in the Scottish Open at Carnoustie. That was his homework for his debut in the Open Championship and it was an impressive achievement to finish four under par on a links course that is considered to be tougher than St Andrews.

Sandy Lyle

37, Shrewsbury

Lyle, the Open champion in 1985, is beginning to show signs that he can still play golf for a living. On the European Tour this year he has missed only one half-way cut and although he has not been in major contention this represents a considerable improvement. Was joint 16th here in 1990 at seven under par and his worst round was a 72. Wants to play in the Ryder Cup this year which indicates that his confidence, once rock bottom, is returning.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in