Banish any thoughts of the Carnoustie carnage of 1999. Sergio Garcia might be crying on someone’s shoulder again, but that’s because he is Sergio Garcia not because Carnoustie is going to be unfair.

Thankfully, we can put those setups that produced dreadfully dull golf at the Masters and the U.S. Open at Oakmont behind us as well.

There will be birdies at the British Open, legitimate charges up the leaderboard, a reminder that golf can actually be exciting. You can hear it in the way officials are talking about the course, in the players’ almost disbelieving shock at how thin the rough is in many places compared to 99.

When the British Open kicks off this morning, here’s betting that you’ll see several low rounds. And no one will be talking like it’s heroic to shoot a 71.

As for who’s going to emerge in a major that’s actually allowed to have thrills, WorldGolf.com editor and European Tour expert Jeff White actually made a smart pick in going with Tiger Woods. I’m not one of those guys who derides people for selecting Tiger (it’s a whole lot better than ridiculously declaring that Tiger is done and then watching him go first, first, second, second in the last four majors - yes, that’s you Tim McDonald.)

Still, in a major when everyone’s going to have a fair chance to go low, I think Adam Scott is going to find a way to validate his talent.

Sure, he’s dangerously approaching Garcia territory with his 0-for-25 record in majors, but Scott turned 27 this week, an age when professional athletes tend to finally get it or be forever doomed to never reach their potential. I think Scott will get it.

Besides while WorldGolf.com’s Willie K. was on Scott’s bandwagon (and for a while there K. was Scott’s version of a Wie Warrior and the only one Scott had), the Aussie held no chance. Thankfully, K.’s returned to zinging Republicans for being smart enough to keep getting elected and given my pick a fair chance.

A week that’s started being all about Nick Faldo, the coolest guy in the room, turning 50 will end with the great talent who turned 27 hoisting the Claret Jug.

Then, all the sheep-like golf reporters will write stories declaring Scott as Tiger’s new rival. Which is ridiculous as Wolfrum.

Tiger does not have rivals. This week, he won’t have the trophy either though.

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