Potential Winners Emerge for the British Open at Royal Troon
As the British Open commences at Royal Troon, the list of potential winners is extensive, with Rory McIlroy leading the charge to end his decade-long major title drought. McIlroy, who agonizingly finished second at the US Open last month, is determined to seize a fifth career major despite recent disappointments.
Reflecting on his near-miss at the US Open, where he bogeyed three of his last four holes, McIlroy admitted it took him a few days to process the loss. However, he now feels no added pressure as he prepares for Thursday’s opening round. “I know that I’m in a good spot,” said the Northern Irish world No.2 after his first practice round of the week.
Comparing his current form to the 2015-2020 period, McIlroy noted, “I seldom had a realistic chance to win a major championship in that five-year period. So I’d much rather have these close calls. It means that I’m getting closer.”
McIlroy, who has not won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship, shared his approach to overcoming disappointment. “I went from being very disappointed and dejected to trying to focus on the positives to then wanting to learn from the negatives and then getting to the point where you become enthusiastic and motivated to go again,” said the 35-year-old.
The Open, the oldest of the four majors, is renowned for its unpredictability due to weather and the fickle nature of links golf. This year’s championship, the 152nd edition, is wide open with numerous genuine contenders.
Among them is American world No.1 and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who is vying for his third major title. Scheffler, who has won six times on the PGA Tour this year in 15 starts, expressed his excitement: “I think the golf course is great. We should get some good wind this week… which increases the challenge of this golf course. It should be fun.”
Ninth-ranked Bryson DeChambeau, who won his second US Open crown last month, is another strong contender. DeChambeau has performed exceptionally in this year’s majors, tying for sixth at the Masters and finishing second at the PGA Championship. “I’m very confident,” he said. “If I can play the golf that I have been, I think I’ll give myself a great chance.”
Other notable contenders include PGA Championship winner and world No.3 Xander Schauffele, fourth-ranked Swede Ludvig Aberg, 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa, and twice major winner Jon Rahm. The Australian challenge is led by 2022 Open champion Cam Smith, Min Woo Lee, and Scottish Open runner-up Adam Scott.
Royal Troon, located next to the Irish Sea, will pose a formidable test. The Ayrshire layout features one of the most challenging closing stretches in championship golf, with eight of the last nine holes playing into the prevailing wind.