British Open pick: Sergio Garcia (as usual)

Sergio Garcia. He’s gotta do it this time.

Okay, I picked Sergio to win the U.S. Open. I’ve picked Sergio to win a lot of tournaments. In fact, I’m going to pick him to win every tournament as long as he’s playing or I’m writing about golf.

I’m not picking him for his newfound putting stroke or his Players Championship win or his new mindset. I’m picking him for my own selfish reasons. I envision a world where Tiger is No. 1 and Sergio is No. 2. This is how the order of golf is supposed to be.

Add Garcia’s stellar Ryder Cup record versus Woods’ pedestrian record, and with a couple more majors from Sergio you can start some pretty good debates. I also like my antagonists to have a foreign accent.

I’m tired of a world where Phil Mickelson is No. 2. Lefty doesn’t seem to cherish his role there, doing stupid things like not using his driver at the U.S. Open and not playing in all of the FedEx Cup events when he had Tiger on the ropes.

Nor is he cocky enough. He’s sheepish and polite, which I’m not cool with. I like Sergio’s feisty attitude. Bashful doesn’t beat Tiger Woods very often. And if it does, it’s not as captivating as a bold dresser and arrogant sound bite.

Dammit Sergio, I’ve been waiting for your breakthrough since 1999 and I’m getting impatient. Viva El Nino!!!