Let it be said that I do not dislike Greg Norman. I like him. No kidding, I do. I like his new wife in her girlish pigtails and honeymoon devotion. I like his swashbuckling style. I like how he's always displayed stoicism and grace in defeat. I even like his wine and last night drank half a bottle - a brooding yet whimsical shiraz with strong plummy flavors and hints of vanilla and leather (which reminded me of my old Davey Concepcion glove). BUT HE WON'T WIN!

He is, after all, still The Shark and the shark, as I said yesterday, never wins. You may think that Norman has transformed himself from adversary to hero and that this year's Championship is a tale of redemption. In this Tiger-free Open it is clear that ABC hopes so. But no, the script for Norman is the same, he's the foil not the hero. Even he knows it - listen to his post-round comments - he hasn't been playing much golf, let alone much competitive golf; he's really just on his honeymoon; his expectations are low; he's going to be nervous; it's going to be awful windy; he'll just have to do the best he can.

So who will win? Probably anyone at +9 or better. Therefore:

Padraig Harrington - if he were to win it would back to back; the list of back to back winners is short: Palmer, Trevino, Watson, Woods. Somehow Harrington -like some people at Bushwood Country Club - simply doesn't belong. Nix.

K.J. Choi - I think he's a smoker so I have to say no. Then again look at Angel Cabrera. Maybe.

Simon Wakefield - you've got to be kidding.

Ben Curtis - he already had his miracle.

Ross Fisher - see Simon Wakefield.

Alexander Noren - see Ross Fisher.

Anthony Kim - that's who I'd bet on. Wait - I already did bet on him, at least I would have if gambling weren't illegal (just like at Bushwood), or if it weren't so hard to fund those accounts in Antigua. He's got 2 tours wins, he has the arrogance of youth, and a belt buckle embossed with his initials. He's the winner and on Monday look for the media to begin conjuring a rivalry between AK and Johann Faust - I mean Tiger Woods.

As for the rest (with the exception of amateur Chris Wood) - all good players, all playing several groups in front of the last, all therefore with a chance to back into a win at this Tiger-free event.

But it won't be the winemaker and you heard it here first.