A similar approach paid dividends at Merion in 2013, where the Ryder Cup star arrived early and left with the trophy after becoming the first English victor of the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
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This season’s edition will be played at Royal Troon in Scotland.
“I don’t think that would be an appropriate move, so I will not be playing that week”, Spieth said Tuesday during a press conference at Royal Troon in Scotland, the site of this week’s British Open.
Royal Troon is known for its very small and extremely fast greens.
The back nine here at Troon is special, from the minute you turn back into the prevailing wind towards the Isle of Arran. If the wind blows, then the best ball-strikers will have the advantage.
“Being British”, Willett said, “this is one you want to get your hands on”.
Jason Day (8-1): The world No. 1 is a favorite these days every time he tees it up.
Hamilton was playing in just his eighth major championship when he defeated world number two Ernie Els in a four-hole play-off to become the sixth consecutive American victor of the Open at Troon, following in the footsteps of Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Watson, Mark Calcavecchia and Justin Leonard. “(It) doesn’t have to be a victory, but at least play some good golf”.
Day finished a shot outside the three-man play-off won by Zach Johnson at St Andrews a year ago, sparking a run which saw him win seven of his next 17 events. He’s finished in the top 10 in each of the last four Opens, and he’s a ideal 14-for-14 in made cuts this season, although his best finish since back-to-back wins at The Honda Classic and WGC-Cadillac Championship was a tie for 10th at Firestone over Fourth of July Weekend. One of only two players in the field to finish top 10 here in both 1997 and 2004. After winning the Masters and U.S. Open previous year, he finished fourth in the British Open. Johnson is also the +325 favourite to be the top American at the tournament over Spieth (+400), while Day is a clear -110 favourite to be the top Australian over Adam Scott (+250).
Dustin Johnson and a dozen other Americans are among the top 25 in the world. Only Graeme McDowell, who tees off at 1.15pm on Thursday, has a late-early draw.
“I’ve got four major championships, and I’d love to add to that tally”, he said, “just as those guys would love to add to their one or two majors that they have and just keep going”.
In fact, the last three winners at Troon never added a second major to their trophy case.
Patrick Reed (13) – Reed broke a streak of three poor tournaments with a t-10 last week at the Scottish Open.
If the British Open was held at Troon every year, the aura of the eighth might resonate with USA golf fans in the same way as the 12th at Augusta.
“That’s what I’m shooting for, to be able to finish off like he did back in the day”, he said.
Local boy Sullivan should have the crowd at Royal Troon amped up for a potential inside job.
“It’s a great honour to be teeing off first, hitting the very first tee shot of the 145th Open at your own course”, said Mongomerie, who on three occasions finished runner-up in the US Open including once in a threeway play-off with Ernie Els and Loren Roberts which the former won. He has missed the cut in his last two tournaments, the BMW International Open in Germany and the French Open. He’s been knocking on the door his whole career.
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McIlroy says he’s “very comfortable” with his decision not to go to Rio.
