Dustin Johnson is at the top of his game with consecutive victories, including last months U.S. Open, but will his style translate to Royal Troon during this weeks Open Championship? If Johnson and the other favorites slip in the less-than-ideal Scottish weather, what dark horse challenger could surprise the field?Our experts tackle these topics and more in this weeks edition of Monday Four-Ball.1. How do you expect Dustin Johnsons recent form to translate to links golf?SportsCenter anchor Jonathan Coachman: Johnson has proven in the past that he can score on a links golf course. But now he knows how to win big tournaments as well. He is proving that he can overpower the biggest courses in the world, and I think links golf will play right into his wheelhouse.ESPN.com senior golf analyst Michael Collins: I dont think theres a style of golf course right now that Johnsons game doesnt fit. I wouldnt even play against him at mini-golf because hed find a way to make his length off the tee an advantage.ESPN.com senior golf writer Bob Harig: It should serve him extremely well. Hitting long, accurate tee shots is never going to hurt a player in the links game (or any game, for that matter). He can have some really short approach shots on the downwind holes, and his ability to hit good drives into the wind will also benefit him. But like any tournament, so much of it comes down to putting, and that has been an improved aspect of Johnsons game as well.ESPN.com senior golf writer Jason Sobel: Really long and straight off the tee translates to any course, anywhere. Johnson might not be able to win for a third consecutive start, but anyone who thinks his game wont travel clearly hasnt been paying close attention. His lone finish outside the top 12 in his last eight major starts was a T-49 at this tournament last year, when he led entering the weekend.2. Give us an under-the-radar player to keep an eye on at Royal Troon this week.Coachman:?Graeme McDowell. I always like to look at the Scottish Open for my dark horse; I like players who play the week before. Now with that being said, last week was brutal as far as the energy and amount of focus the players had to use because of the weather. But McDowell appears to be back in form.?Collins: Not many people in the U.S. know who Chris Wood is, so if youre looking for a pick not many will have on the radar, hes a good Englishman to have on yours.Harig: Padraig Harrington. The two-time Open champion is an infrequent contender these days, but hes coming off a good week at the Scottish Open and remains an excellent links player. Harrington is also excellent in lousy conditions, and we appear headed for one of those battle-against-the-elements weeks.Sobel: As the worlds 36th-ranked player, Andy Sullivan is hardly an unknown commodity, but he isnt exactly at the top of anyones list, either. Maybe he should be -- Sullivan enters this week in terrific form, finishing in the top 25 in each of his last five starts, including a T-23 at last months U.S. Open.3. With the weather projected to be cold and rainy (Scottish summer, anyone?), what mentality should a player have to give him the best shot to raise the Claret Jug?Coachman: I loved some of the quotes from Padriag Harrington this week. He didnt like that they were making the course easier. You have to embrace the difficulty and the energy and the long rounds. All of it. If you dont, you can start to think about everything but hitting the shot.Collins: Players and caddies have to find a way to love the conditions. Knowing the weather can be crazy in this part of the world during golf tournaments makes embracing it imperative if you want to win. As soon as you start thinking poor me or the other guys got the good side of the draw, youre done. Go home.Harig: You have to know its going to be bad and realize its virtually the same for everyone. Having a good, experienced caddie really helps in these situations, because you have to keep the clubs and grips dry, manage the umbrella, do all sorts of things. But ultimately, having a good deal of patience and taking what comes with the frustrations of rain and wind is key.Sobel: Players must be mentally tough, but its about more than just that. They dont have to only endure the conditions in order to succeed; they have to embrace them. The guys who can see through the raindrops and actually have fun with the challenge the weather poses will be the ones who find themselves in contention come Sunday afternoon.4. Where does Royal Troon rank on your list of Open rota courses?Coachman: To be honest, for me, its St. Andrews then all the others. I have never been a big historian of European golf or gone over to play true links golf. But that is on my bucket list. Maybe I would feel more connected if I did. But we all know every hole at St. Andrews.Collins: Ask me on Sunday night, since this is my first time seeing it in person.Harig: I have it eighth in a ranking of the 14 Open venues, which is not a knock, but more a concession to some of the other courses. It doesnt have the beauty of Turnberry nor the history of St. Andrews and Muirfield, but it is a stout test that typically goes out downwind and comes back into the wind. When Justin Leonard won in 1997, he played the first nine in 12 under, the second nine even.Sobel: Its not at the top, but its certainly in the top half. This is a classic Open Championship course, with many of the same physical characteristics of the Old Course, last years host venue. The golf course wont be the main story this week -- it will be neither too hard nor too easy -- which is pretty much exactly what you want in a host. Fake NHL Jerseys . 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WASHINGTON -- Erik Durham scored 19 points and made 6 of 8 3-pointers, Malcolm Drumwright added 16 points with four 3s and the Gamecocks shot 13 of 22 from behind the arc to beat Howard 72-59 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game skid.Jacara Cross scored 13 points, Norbetas Giga had 10 and Jacksonville State (6-6) held the Bison to 42 percent shooting from the floor and 5 of 16 (31.3 percent) from long distance.Down 35-23 at halftime, the Bison closed to 51-50 on Marcel Boyds dunk with 8:49 left.ddddddddddddBut the Gamecocks used a 9-1 run to pull ahead and led by 11 on a 3 by Durham with 2:13 to go. Greg Tucker and Drumwright each hit 3s in the final 1:35 to help keep the Bison at bay.Charles Williams scored 18 points and Dalique Mingo and Boyd added 12 apiece for Howard (1-8). ' ' '
