The season’s third Major, The Open Championship, is set to begin next week at St. Andrews, The Home of Golf. Players are preparing for The Old Course by teeing it up at the John Deere Classic on the PGA TOUR and at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on the European Tour.
One player who won’t be teeing it up at St. Andrews though is defending champion, Rory McIlroy. After a total rupture of his left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage, Rory has taken a long term view of his career and decided not to tee it up and defend his title next week. With Rory on the sidelines, will it be Jordan Spieth who becomes the favourite? Spieth, who has won The Masters and the US Open Championship, will be looking to win his third straight Major and continue the quest for the single season grand slam.
There are other stories leading up to The Open as well, including Tom Watson, who will be making his last start. Tiger Woods, who showed signs of massive improvement at The Greenbrier Classic, loves St. Andrews and hopes to get back to winning on TOUR. Louis Oosthuizen, who won the last time The Open was held at St. Andrews, finished his final round at the US Open at Chambers Bay with a 67 (38-29). With his game in form, don’t count out the South African!
The Open Championship is the oldest of the Major Championships and holds the most history in the sport of golf. Every golfing great has held the Claret Jug in their career – in the video above, watch Open Champions Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Darren Clarke and more as they share what the Claret Jug means to them. Who is your pick to win at St. Andrews next week? Leave a comment and let us know!
Source: The Open
