The 140th Open Championship gets underway this Thursday and inevitably there is only name on everyone’s lips. After Rory McIlroy’s unprecedented eight shot victory at Congressional last month, he heads to Kent as the overwhelming favourite to add the famous Claret Jug to the 2011 US Open title. But to focus too heavily on the Northern Irishman, in spite of his current incredible form, would be doing a disservice to the challenge of The Open and indeed links golf in general.
So impressive was McIlroy’s performance at Congressional and indeed his first three rounds at the Masters that he has almost taken up the mantle vacated by Tiger Woods. Indeed, McIlroy’s meteoric rise has left few lamenting the former world number 1’s absence.
This should, however, all be put into context. McIlroy is still only 22 and has one major championship to his name. Woods has 14. Until his win at the year’s second major there were still question marks over whether he could handle the pressure. He responded emphatically to those doubts, yet now the challenge is even greater. So is the media spotlight. Rightly or wrongly, the golfing world will be expecting a performance akin to the 72 holes he put together in Maryland. Lest we forget there are officially three better players than McIlroy. The hype surrounding the Northern Irishman may well allow his Ryder Cup teammates Luke Donald and Lee Westwood to stay under the radar and finally bag that elusive major.
Nor should a winner from across the pond be discounted. Ten of the last 15 winners have been from the US. Nick Watney has already amassed in excess of $4 million this year and is in the form of his life. Phil Mickelson has also spoken of his desire to lift the Claret Jug, his best effort being a third place finish in 2004.
Then again, someone could just come out of nowhere. Remember Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton, winners in ’03 and ’04 respectively?
And we’ve still to mention Matteo Manassero and Jason Day... We should be in for one helluva week! Check back for more coverage as events unfold.
Patrick Kendrick
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