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McIlroy braced for tough Troon test
TROON, UNITED KINGDOM: Treacherous and unfamiliar challenges lie in wait as the British Open tees off at Royal Troon this week and Rory McIlroy returns to the hunt
TROON, UNITED KINGDOM: Treacherous and unfamiliar challenges lie in wait as the British Open tees off at Royal Troon this week and Rory McIlroy returns to the hunt for the Claret Jug.
McIlroy is bidding to win his fifth major and second Open after his victory at Hoylake in 2014.
Missing from St Andrews 12 months ago after suffering an ankle injury while playing football, McIlroy will start his challenge on Thursday morning in the same group as Bubba Watson and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
“I’m excited to be back and to a golf course that I’ve never played before,” said the Northern Irishman, number four in the world.
Troon is where Tiger Woods first played in the Open as a professional in 1997. The ailing 14-time major winner is not in this year’s field and instead the focus is on the current “Big Four” of McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and recent US Open winner Dustin Johnson.
The shortest odds with the bookmakers are for the latter two, with the laid-back Johnson having every reason to fancy his chances after finally winning his first major at the US Open last month and shaking off his “nearly man” tag.
OPTIMISTIC LAHIRI EYES GOOD OUTING
India’s Anirban Lahiri is hoping his love for the links will lead to a strong showing at The British Open. The reigning Asian Tour No 1, who is making his fourth appearance in the world’s oldest championship, is eager to improve on a career best tied fifth outing in a major tournament achieved at the PGA Championship last season.
“The Open has always been good to me, so I’m hoping for a good run,” said Lahiri.
