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SANDWICH, England - The weather is so warm in England that the betting shops are giving odds on whether the temperature will reach 100. In fact, bookmaker William Hill reported the odds never had been so low on such a wager: 14-1. Tuesday the temperature climbed into the low 90s.
That's a drastic change from British Opens where turtleneck sweaters were required.
"They've got what they call a heat wave over here," defending British Open champion Ernie Els said. "The golf course is as firm as I've ever seen any links golf course."
Fans have reveled in the sunshine at Royal St. George's, which is dry and brown. Golf balls hit the ground and seemingly do not stop.
"Americans watching from home would take one look at this and say we should not be playing a major on this," Steve Flesch said. "But this is exactly what I was expecting: firm and fast. I like it like this."
Said Brad Faxon: "It's so dry, it looks like it's going to catch on fire out there."
REMEMBERING 81: It is not a subject he enjoys discussing, though he does not believe it had any lingering effect. A year ago at the British Open, two shots out of the lead heading into the third round, Tiger Woods shot 81, his worst score as a professional. That knocked him out of the running for his third consecutive major championship. Did it haunt him?
"I shot 65 the next day," Woods said, laughing.
He did note, however, that the cold weather, wind and rain took their toll on a day when he was not at his best.
"That was a tough day for everybody and I wasn't the only one who shot a high number," Woods said. "As I said that day, I didn't hit the ball that well, and the weather just compounded the problem. And I really never got anything going and could never turn momentum into my favor."
RYDER PITCH: Hal Sutton has been in place as 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup captain for eight months. The Europeans have yet to make their choice. Sandy Lyle, who won the 1985 British Open at Royal St. George's, is among those who would like to be considered.
"My name is in the pot for Ryder Cup captain," Lyle said. "If I get it this year or the next few times, I don't know. I wouldn't like to leave it too long because you tend to lose touch with your young players if you're not playing full time in Europe. So I would wish to do it fairly soon.
"My qualifications are reasonably good. It's not like I haven't won tournaments before. As far as being a good captain, there's no guarantees until you're faced with the situation."
Germany's Bernhard Langer and Wales' Ian Woosnam also are said to be in the running for the post.
OOPS: A Toronto newspaper reported Tuesday that an agreement was near to pit Woods and Annika Sorenstam in a match next month against Canadians Mike Weir and Lori Kane, with the proceeds to help SARS awareness. All four players are represented by International Management Group and a deal was said to be close. Well, except for at least one thing.
"It's the first time I've heard about it," Woods said. "Really, I don't know."
Said Weir: "I haven't heard anything about it for the last two months. It was just an idea. I know it's not done by any means."