By Frank Luna

In the absence of an obvious strong American golfer crossing over the pond to claim the Claret Jug for the United States in next weeks British Open, golf handicappers are buzzing about Sacramento Native Nick Watney.

With an impressive win this past weekend at the AT&T National and a victory at the World Golf Championship earlier this year, Watney is building an impressive resume as the year’s third major approaches. He’s also had 7 top 10 and 4 top 5 finishes this year, but under close scrutiny a troubling trend emerges. In this year’s majors, he place 46 at the Masters and missed the cut at the US Open. With a shaky showing in the final group at last years PGA Championship, Watney still needs to show he can perform at the same high level on the golf worlds biggest stage. He’s moved up to number 10 in the world golf rankings and he’s at the top of the Fedex points race, a win next week would surely bring accolades as the top American golfer.