The in-form Rory McIlroy and the world primary Scottie Scheffler lead the contenders on the 151st British Open because the world’s greatest golfers are reunited at Hoylake on Thursday.
England’s Matthew Jordan will hit the primary tee shot at 06:35 native time (0535GMT), on the Royal Liverpool membership the place he’s a member, however McIlroy is the centre of consideration as he returns to the course the place he lifted the Claret Jug for the one time in 2014.
The Northern Irishman backed up that victory by profitable the PGA Championship the next month, however has been caught on 4 main titles ever since.
McIlroy got here agonisingly shut each ultimately 12 months’s Open Championship at St Andrews and final month when he missed out on the US Open by one shot to Wyndham Clark.
Nonetheless, doubts over the 34-year-old’s means to deal with the strain coming down the stretch on Sunday have been dispelled final weekend as a birdie-birdie end in blustery situations introduced McIlroy the Scottish Open for the primary time.
“I couldn’t ask for higher preparation,” stated McIlroy. “The best way I performed the final two holes (in Scotland) was an incredible end and an ideal approach to come into this week.
“I’ve had an important 9 years and gained numerous tournaments however the massive 4 have eluded me. Hopefully this week that’s one thing I can change.”
McIlroy is among the many late starters on Thursday as he tees off alongside Masters champion Jon Rahm and former world primary Justin Rose at 1359GMT.
Scheffler not happy
Scheffler has additionally had a stellar 12 months on the PGA Tour, however is but so as to add to his sole main win on the 2022 Masters.
The American has not completed decrease that twelfth in 16 tournaments this 12 months and was within the prime three at each the PGA Championship and US Open.
“It’s actually enjoyable profitable. It’s not as enjoyable ending third,” stated Scheffler. “Golf is a kind of video games the place I don’t suppose you ever actually obtain that satisfaction. I feel you’re all the time asking for extra.”
The ultimate main of the 12 months comes simply weeks after a shock announcement that the PGA and DP World Excursions plan to merge with the breakaway LIV Golf collection.
A “framework settlement” between the events has left the gamers on either side of the divide brief on element on what the way forward for the game will appear like.
“I don’t even suppose the blokes which are attempting to type it out actually know what this final result goes to be like,” stated defending champion Cameron Smith, who defected to LIV shortly after profitable his first main 12 months in the past.
With out a concrete settlement, all of the world’s greatest wouldn’t be reunited in battle once more till the Masters subsequent April.
The type of Smith and Brooks Koepka has up to now dismissed strategies that the celebs who took large signing bonuses to hitch LIV would see their aggressive senses dulled.
Koepka claimed his fifth main on the PGA Championship, only a month after ending second on the Masters.
These outcomes have propelled Koepka into rivalry for a spot at September’s Ryder Cup regardless of solely being eligible to choose up factors on the majors.
One other robust displaying will make him onerous to disregard and he isn’t the one one hoping to catch US captain Zack Johnson’s eye.
“I’d love an enormous week. Clearly the aim is to win. That’s what it’s each week,” stated 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa.
“Ryder Cup is clearly an enormous aim of mine and has been for the previous two years, particularly turning into the start of this 12 months, and it nonetheless is.”