No chance he’ll get kicked out of the group, certainly not without putting up quite a fight.
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“If I focus on myself and make sure that I’m playing the best I can I’m pretty confident that if I go out and play my best golf, I’m going to win more times than not”, he says.
World No 1 Jason Day, of Australia, and big-hitting American Dustin Johnson are the favourites, ahead of Irishman Rory McIlroy and Texan Jordan Spieth.
“There’s a lot of trouble out there and you’re going to have to play well”, said Leishman, who will hit off in the very first group on Thursday, hoping the strong winds pick up later. He has 13 top-10 finishes at the British Open dating back to 1992, with his last win coming just four years ago when he won over Adam Scott by making birdie on the 72nd hole at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
Of the last three Opens at Troon, two have been decided via playoffs. “I’m determined not to miss any more, for the foreseeable future anyway”.
Want even more unlikely than that? Johnson’s first duty Monday morning was to give it back to R&A chief Martin Slumbers outside the clubhouse at Royal Troon. He was the most dominant golfer in the game, the guy everyone else was chasing as Tiger Woods faded from view.
It was a 38-year-old Todd Hamilton who sealed his one and only triumph at one of golf’s four leading events the last time it was played at the South Ayrshire venue. He also has a good grasp on history and understands the distinction between a major champion and a major champion at St. Andrews. Had a top-20 showing at the U.S. Open as well. After some excruciating near-misses in the biggest events, he finally claimed his first major with a dazzling display at Oakmont. “Great, young talents carrying it and pushing it”. I would like to have some other good memories this year.
But he has not been as impressive this year and this week became the latest in a long line of golfers including Day and McIlroy to snub next month’s Rio Olympics, supposedly on Zika virus fears.
He rolled his eyes when someone mentioned a reference in the British media that he was on the verge of becoming the Ringo of the Fab Four. “That’s the way I’d like to frame it this particular time around”.
“I’m happy where my game is”.
“You have to look at it in a positive light that, okay, I did this for a reason”.
McIlroy has other things on his mind as well. “He has that weapon that is just basically unbeatable – driving the golf ball – and as he’s improved his wedges … that nearly becomes unbeatable”.
“I think every British Open, things change with the weather so I just have to adjust the best I can when I get there”, Haas said. “You deserve to win these if you put yourself in these opportunities.’ Unfortunately, I didn’t win that week, but then I followed up with a win in Canada after that”.
” I was with Zach (Johnson) the night that he won it previous year”, Spieth said.
Item two: the Scottish course near Glasgow has been doused with summer rain, dampening down the prospect of hard and random bounces that are so much part of links-style golf. “I don’t feel like I’ve let the game down at all”. I’m at the point where I’m focusing on my performance rather than just trying to get fit.
“Since I played in this golf tournament, and it was here I played my first Open, my love for it was huge and immediate”, Johnson said. In fact, he made it sound as if golf doesn’t belong in the Olympics at all. “I’ve just been very lucky”.
So, what will he watch?
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“Probably track and field, swimming, diving”, he said, with the hint of a smirk. Such an easy shot awaits, especially for a seasoned player who could accomplish the feat blindfolded.
