This Week at WorldGolf.com: Dec. 07, 2005

Mark your calendar:
A European will win a major in 2006

These days, if the winning trophy of a golf tournament says "Ryder Cup" somewhere on it, then Europeans need to be considered a favorite. If the prize is a green jacket, U.S. Open Championship Cup, Claret Jug or Wannamaker Trophy, however, there hasn't been much need to pay attention to the Europeans in the field, unless you're one of those fans that gets perverse glee from mocking Colin Montgomerie.

In 1999, Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal won the Masters and Paul Lawrie of Scotland won the British open. Since then, the devastating triumvirate of Shaun Micheel, Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton hold a decisive 3-0 lead over the entire continent of Europe in major victories.

Sure, if you call home South Africa (Ernie Els, Retief Goosen) or New Zealand (Michael Campbell) you may have a shot at a major. But over the last seven years, if your address is in Europe, there really hasn't even been a need to show up to play golf's most prestigious tournaments.

"We have some great talent coming through, but how many have been up on a major leaderboard when it really matters?" Nick Faldo said earlier this year. "Winning majors is about holding your nerve under intense pressure. I know we can point to players for whom it just hasn't happened but I don't believe that's down to luck."

Well, Mr. Faldo, in 2006, a European will hold his nerve, and get some luck. Next year, a European will win a major.

You can call it the law of averages if you will, but this prediction lies more with European golfers and how they seem to be ready to take things to the next level.

Montgomerie is playing like he did several years back and has re-entered the world's top 10. England's David Howell opened eyes at the HSBC Champions tournament by holding off Tiger Woods for the victory. Spain's Sergio Garcia is, well, Sergio Garcia. Throw in Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Darren Clarke, and you have a solid list of contenders in Europe.

Regardless who it will be or what major it is, a European will win a major in 2006. But if not, at least the Ryder Cup Matches will be played in Ireland.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

From ferry to green: Creston Golf
Club delivers unique B. C. experience

The experience at Creston Golf Club in British Columbia begins well before your scheduled tee-off time. First, you'll need to take a trip on North America's longest free ferry across the Kootenay River just to get to the course. Once you hit that first drive at Creston, you'll be glad you made the trip as you enjoy an uncomplicated round of golf at a course low on frills and high on basic golf and nature.

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Facts and fallacies of strength
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Golf training has become an important part of many players' games, with golfers looking for that extra edge. Still, strength training continues to be viewed with suspicion, as many golfers still live under the old assumption that strength training is detrimental to your game. By looking at the facts as opposed to the fallacies, however, if you want to develop into the best player you can be, a strength-training program is a must.

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Tim McDonald: A belated thanksgiving
for El Tigre, vigilant course marshals, more

As 2005 winds down, golfers throughout the land are giving thanks for one thing or another. They are also not giving thanks for some things, just like National Golf Editor Tim McDonald who's thankful for Tiger Woods and golf associations that tell it like it is, but not quite as thankful for golf shops that charge you for yardage books, Michelle Wie's relentless fans and developers that have taken away some of Las Vegas' luster.

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