The big names are at the Old Course, but their games are not.
Finally, the The Open no longer has the adjective “British” in front of it because arrogant Americans concede that the game was invented somewhere else like Europe, where the 150th “Open” begins today at perhaps the most famous 18 holes on the globe, The Old Course at St. Andrews.
I was lucky enough to play there one time about 30 years ago, when I showed up at the starter’s hut early one weekday morning and found a three-some that allowed me to join them. Sure, I remember the double greens, the famous Road Hole and the bunkers you could not escape unless you landed in the right place. But I’ll never forget the marshals who ran alongside every group in the rough keeping time of play. At the old course, 4 hours might get you yelled at the whole way. Better have a goal of 3.5 or even 3 hours.
This particular Open is so special for a number of reasons. The 150th anniversary for one, the turbulence surrounding the game between America’s PGA and the new Saudi-backed LIV tour, which has caused numerous PGA pros to be suspended for joining and a fight that will likely end up in court.
Fifty-year old Phil Mickleson, the most famous of the defectors, can play at The Open because it is overseas and not run by the PGA. In this country, USGA events like the U.S. Open have yet to ban the $200 million-Phils of the world. Tiger will be there playing, but is listed under the “miracle” contenders after he has hobbled back on the course prematurely following that horrific car crash a couple of years ago. But while Woods will be a sentimental favorite instead of the darling or villain he used to be, the game has grown so much that so many new players dominate it is hard to keep track of them.
The Claret Jug may be lifted Sunday by a surprise, but the big money is on Rory McIlroy, who won in 2014 at Royal Liverpool; Xander Schauffle, the hottest player on the planet who won last week’s prelude Scottish Open; Will Zalatoris, the former Wake Forest star who was granted the famous Arnold Palmer Scholarship and is bound to win a major soon; Scottie Scheffler, once an American journeyman man who has risen to the No. 1 player in the world; Jon Rahm, the Spaniard who has won two Irish Opens and last year’s U.S. Open, defending champ Colin Morikawa; and maybe even young Texan Jordan Spieth, a Majors machine a few years ago who hasn’t won since.
Regardless, the field of stars and Old Course make it must-watch golf.
Featured image via Associated Press/Peter Morrison
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