The in-form Rory McIlroy and the world primary Scottie Scheffler lead the contenders on the 151st British Open because the world’s finest 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 successful the PGA Championship the next month, however has been caught on 4 main titles ever since.
McIlroy got here agonisingly shut each eventually yr’s Open Championship at St Andrews and final month when he missed out on the US Open by one shot to Wyndham Clark.
However, doubts over the 34-year-old’s capability to deal with the stress coming down the stretch on Sunday have been dispelled final weekend as a birdie-birdie finish in blustery conditions brought McIlroy the Scottish Open for the first time.
“I could not ask for better preparation,” stated McIlroy. “The way I played the last two holes (in Scotland) was an amazing finish and a perfect way to come into this week.
“I’ve had a great nine years and won a lot of tournaments but the big four have eluded me. Hopefully this week that’s something 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 yr on the PGA Tour, however is but so as to add to his sole major win at the 2022 Masters.
The American has not completed decrease that twelfth in 16 tournaments this yr and was within the high three at each the PGA Championship and US Open.
“It’s really fun winning. It’s not as fun finishing third,” stated Scheffler. “Golf is one of those games where I don’t think you ever really achieve that satisfaction. I think you’re always asking for more.”
The remaining main of the yr comes simply weeks after a shock announcement that the PGA and DP World Tours plan to merge with the breakaway LIV Golf series.
A “framework agreement” between the events has left the gamers on each side of the divide quick on element on what the way forward for the game will appear to be.
“I don’t even think the guys that are trying to sort it out really know what this outcome is going to be like,” stated defending champion Cameron Smith, who defected to LIV shortly after successful his first main 12 months in the past.
Without a concrete settlement, all of the world’s finest wouldn’t be reunited in battle once more till the Masters subsequent April.
The type of Smith and Brooks Koepka has to date dismissed strategies that the celebrities who took big signing bonuses to affix 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.
Those outcomes have propelled Koepka into rivalry for a spot at September’s Ryder Cup regardless of solely being eligible to select up factors on the majors.
Another robust exhibiting will make him arduous to disregard and he isn’t the one one hoping to catch US captain Zack Johnson’s eye.
“I would love a big week. Obviously the goal is to win. That’s what it is every week,” stated 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa.
“Ryder Cup is obviously a huge goal of mine and has been for the past two years, especially turning into the beginning of this year, and it still is.”