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5 things to know for the British Open

By WTOP Staff

DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer

HOYLAKE, England (AP) — Even for a major championship that goes back 154 years, the British Open is capable of providing a new experience.

Attribute that to the weather.

Returning to Royal Liverpool for the first time since 2006, two differences were immediately obvious. The flags above the grandstands surrounding the 18th green were rippling in a stiff breeze off the Irish Sea. There was hardly any wind eight years ago. And thanks to a wet spring, the grass was green and lush, compared with brown and wispy the last time.

And then there’s Tiger Woods.

He won in 2006 at Royal Liverpool in an emotional finish. It was the first major he won since the death of his father two months earlier, and Woods sobbed on the shoulder of his caddie and later his wife when he completed a two-shot victory. Woods now is divorced and has a different caddie.

Woods is playing his first major this year because of a back surgery and is sure to be a key figure. Here are five things to watch when play begins Thursday:

1. TIGER’S BACK

Woods had back surgery on March 31 to alleviate a pinched nerve, forcing him to miss the Masters for the first time in his career and then the U.S. Open. There was speculation he would return for the British Open, and it was a surprise when he came back three weeks ago for the Quicken Loans National at Congressional. He missed the cut, but said he was encouraged that he didn’t have back pain.

As for his game? Still to be determined. His short game looked shoddy at Congressional. But at least it allowed him to shake off some of the rust from being out three months.

2. THE CLOSER

Royal Liverpool is the only links course on the current British Open rotation that ends with a par 5. The 18th hole is 551 yards and should be able to be reached in two shots, allowing for a player to have a chance at an eagle. It also has big trouble — out-of-bounds to the right — that could lead to bogey or worse. The hole is capable of big swings that could determine the championship.

In the last 20 years, only five major championship venues ended with a par 5 — Liverpool, Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Valhalla and Baltusrol. Woods won on four of them.

3. BROWN AND GREEN

How a British Open links course plays often depends on the color — brown or green?

A wet spring usually means the grass is green and lush, and thus the ball doesn’t roll as far and the course plays longer. A dry summer bakes the thin grass and makes it brown. That’s when the ball rolls forever and the course plays shorter, though it’s more difficult to control how far the ball goes on the ground. Liverpool was brown in 2006 and Woods hit driver only once in 72 holes. It is green this year, though recent sunshine could make it firm and bouncy.

4. THE 40s HAVE IT

Darren Clarke won The Open in 2011 for his first title of any kind in three years. Ernie Els won in 2012, a shocker considering that Adam Scott had a four-shot lead with four holes to play. Phil Mickelson won last year at a major not even he thought he would ever win. Mickelson didn’t have a good history in links golf. What do they have in common besides their names on the claret jug? All of them were in their 40s.

It’s the first time any major has produced three straight champions who were 40 or older.

If the streak continues, that would bode well for the likes of Padraig Harrington and Justin Leonard, both 42.

5. GERMAN SLAM

One of the strong favorites at Royal Liverpool would have to be Martin Kaymer. The 29-year-old German won The Players Championship (the strongest field in golf) and the U.S. Open (the toughest test in golf) from start to finish. He is among the hottest players in the game. And he is the best bet to complete what Kaymer jokingly referred to as the “German Slam.” He has won the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. Bernhard Langer won the Masters twice. The claret jug is all Germany is lacking.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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