The list of potential winners for this week's British Open at Royal Troon is extensive as Rory McIlroy launches his latest attempt to break a decade-long drought in major championships. McIlroy's struggles continued at last month's US Open, where he finished agonizingly close to victory, one stroke behind American Bryson DeChambeau, after bogeying three of his final four holes. The disappointment from that defeat took McIlroy a few days to overcome, but as he gears up for Thursday's opening round, he feels no additional pressure in his pursuit of a fifth major title.
"I'm aware that I'm in a strong position," the Northern Irish golfer, ranked second in the world, shared with reporters on Tuesday following his initial practice round of the week. "Looking at the period from 2015 to 2020, I rarely had a genuine opportunity to win a major during those five years. So, I prefer these close calls as they indicate I'm nearing success." McIlroy, who hasn't secured a major win since the 2014 PGA Championship, discussed his approach to dealing with the US Open setback.
"I transitioned from feeling deeply disappointed and disheartened to focusing on the positives, then aiming to learn from the negatives, and finally reaching a point of enthusiasm and motivation to try again," the 35-year-old explained. "It's intriguing how your mindset can shift from 'I don't want to see a golf course for a month' to 'I can't wait to get another chance' just four days later. When disappointment transforms into motivation, that's the signal to go again." McIlroy is currently in good form, having tied for fourth place at last week's Scottish Open.
"I believe my preparations have been solid," he noted. "I'm reacquainting myself with links golf conditions, the turf, and green speeds. We primarily play in the States on surfaces quite different from here." The Open, being the oldest of the four major championships, is often the most unpredictable due to the variable weather conditions and the capricious nature of links golf. This year's championship, marking the 152nd edition, appears to be highly competitive with numerous players poised as serious contenders.
World number one and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, aiming for his third major title, consistently remains a contender. "I'm thrilled," Scheffler expressed, having won six times on the PGA Tour this year in 15 starts. "Excited to be back here this year and for the upcoming week. I think the course is fantastic. We should experience some strong winds this week, which will enhance the challenge of this course. It should be enjoyable." Ninth-ranked DeChambeau has outperformed many in this year's majors, securing a tie for sixth at the Masters and finishing second at the PGA Championship before clinching his second US Open title last month.
"I'm extremely confident, clearly," DeChambeau stated. "It hinges on whether I'm hitting well. I can enter with the highest confidence, obviously, following a major championship win. I played decently last week too. I know how to achieve success; it's just a matter of maintaining the consistency I showed at the US Open last month and at other venues. If I can play the golf I have been, I believe I'll give myself a great opportunity." Other potential challengers include PGA Championship winner and world number three Xander Schauffele, fourth-ranked Swede Ludvig Aberg, 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa, and two-time major winner Jon Rahm.
American southpaw Brian Harman, the defending champion and world number 13, is not among the top favorites, similar to his victory last year at Hoylake where he won by six shots. Royal Troon, located by the Irish Sea, will present a rigorous challenge. The Ayrshire course features one of the toughest closing stretches in championship golf, with eight of the last nine holes playing into the prevailing wind. This year's tournament includes the longest hole in Open history; the sixth hole, which was 601 yards in 2016, will now measure 623 yards.
Overall, the course will play 195 yards longer than in 2016 when Sweden's Henrik Stenson edged out American Phil Mickelson in one of the most memorable final-round showdowns in Open history.
