BRITISH OPEN: : THE PLAYERS : The Weather Looks Lousy, and That’s Good for Someone

First the weather report, because that’s what the British Open golf tournament is all about:

Today--Heavy rain in the early morning, gradually brightening up, then more heavy showers expected mid-afternoon and evening. Much the same for Friday.

There is every reason to expect, however, that the weather will take a turn for the better over the weekend, and the 116th Open will be blessed with howling gales and merciless driving rain and sleet.

Without foul weather, this tournament, especially when contested at Muirfield, can be a crushingly dull and unfair affair.

Lee Trevino, after a practice round Wednesday in disgustingly mild and serene weather, said, “Americans are licking their chops right now. This golf course is playing like an Americanized golf course. It’s an aerial game (premium on high shots). It’s very difficult not to hit the ball (well). You don’t know how you’re hitting the ball until the wind gets up to 30, 35 m.p.h.

“If the wind doesn’t blow, it’s going to be a putting contest.”

Members of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, upon whose course this Open is being played, have been known to complain when there is no wind, because they have nothing to lean against.

Muirfield offers other challenges. The rough is as thick and high as a wheat field, the bunkers are among the deepest and most challenging on earth. Still, in picnic weather, Muirfield can be a pussycat.

“We want rain and wind to test our skills,” defending champion Greg Norman said.

Thus, the top players pray for rain. Fortunately, the weather seldom fails to put on a good show at the Open Golf Championship, which is what the British call their own tournament. The gods are a solid bet to turn this Open into the essence of British golf--nature attacking man, and man fighting back with sticks.

That’s why, when you look at the list of past British Open champions, you don’t see a lot of Orville Moody- and Sam Parks-types, fellows who were fluky one-shot major tournament heroes. British Open courses tend to favor the better golfers, to play down the element of luck. It’s survival of the fittest. The no-names don’t win the British.

Greg Norman was the best golfer in the world last year. At the British Open in Turnberry, he survived splendidly nasty weather and won.

Norman is back to defend, but he’s not the favorite. After dominating world golf for two years, he has been on a bit of losing streak. This year he won the Australian Masters and was second at the Masters, but that’s one championship in 16 tournaments. His last big win was the ’86 British.

After the U.S. Open, where he tied for 51st, Norman put away his clubs and fled to the Bahamas for a vacation.

“I’ve been trying too hard,” he said. “Trying to make things happen. Trying to make this year better than the last. Now I know it doesn’t work like that. My attitude this week will be simply, what will be will be.”

What will be, according to those who establish betting lines, is either Bernhard Langer or Severiano Ballesteros. Here’s a brief rundown on the favorites, and some American heroes who could be in the hunt:

Severiano Ballesteros--Not having the big year he had in ‘86, when he won six European titles, but he was third at the U.S. Open, and won one European event. In his last four British Opens, he has finished fourth, sixth, first and sixth.

Bernhard Langer--Won his last two tournaments--the Irish Open by 10 strokes, and a 36-hole event in Belgium. He has cut down his supply of putters from six to two, and his consistent accuracy from tee to green is the type of play most rewarded by this course. He is the most consistent recent performer in the Open, having finished third, third and second the last three years.

Jack Nicklaus--He loves the course so much that he named one of his own after it. Nicklaus won here 20 years ago. This is his 26th British Open, and he’s won three.

Lee Trevino--Another past Muirfield winner--1972--and two-time British champion. He’s having a lousy year, but loves the course to death. “I think I can win here,” he said Wednesday. “I can bump and run the ball with the best of ‘em. If the wind blows, my chances are very good. I want to see it blow and blow hard.”

Tom Watson--He hasn’t won a tournament in three years, but he’s a five-time British Open champion, and the last American to win the tournament, in ’83. He won here in ’80.

Masters winner Larry Mize is here, as are U.S. Open winner Scott Simpson and U.S. PGA Tour money leader Paul Azinger, who wanted so badly to play here that he spent $10,000 on air fare to get here.