Golf | The Open Championship

The 2014 Open Championship will be the 143rd Open Championship, held 17–20 July at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Merseyside, England. It will be the twelfth Open Championship played at Royal Liverpool.

The golf course itself is one topic of discussion. The Open returned to Hoylake after a long absence in 2006, having been omitted from the Open rota since 1967 when Roberto Di Vincenzo claimed the title. Tiger Woods prevailed in 2006, his winning margin of two shots not reflecting the ease in which he navigated his way around the links in a masterful display of ball striking and course management. That week, the course played like a race track with firm and bouncy brown fairways. Though the forecast is set fair, there has been enough rain in recent weeks to ensure this won’t be the case again. It is rumoured that the green keepers at Hoylake have narrowed the fairways a touch and that the rough is long and lush. This will put accuracy of the tee at a premium. The weather is a constant cause for concern at The Open, and the luck of the draw may well play its part. With tee times ranging from around 6.30 am to 4 pm over the first two days, early and late starters can face completely different tests depending on the weather.

The aforementioned Tiger Woods, who returned from back surgery a few weeks ago, will find himself under much scrutiny. But then, he ought to be used to that by now. His win here in 2006 has gone down as one of his vintage performances, akin to when he won at St Andrews in 2000 without visiting a single bunker. In 2006 he only used his driver twice, and those two shots were in the first round, as he 2-ironed his way to victory. Slightly softer and greener conditions mean that Woods might have to take a couple more 3-Woods and drivers, and that is a concern. He is severely lacking tournament sharpness and if he is forced to take driver on a course with thick rough, he may find it hard going. Many will follow the adage that you can never write Woods off, but after such a break from the game playing all four rounds may well be a more realistic target. Not that he’d ever admit to that being his aim.

It’s been a rather a dismal summer for British sport so far, but there are a collection of home-grown players who will be aiming to lift the mood by lifting the claret jug. Englishmen Justin Rose is the leader of the pack coming off back to back wins on very different courses; Congressional, just outside of Washington DC, and Royal Aberdeen. He really did look a cut above the rest at the Scottish Open last week with an unbeatable combination of ball striking and much improved putting. After a slow start to the season following injury, Rose appears to be hitting form at just the right time. Rory Mcilroy will possibly be the bookmaker’s favourite. He is capable of winning any tournament and destroying any golf course, but needs to shake off his habit of having one bad round per week which has bizarrely seemed to be on Fridays. Moreover, he has a mixed record at the Open. He himself has admitted that he has not always been tough enough in the adverse conditions the tournament can throw up. Like Woods, you can never rule him out but you wouldn’t want to put take a short price.

Another British player with good claims is Graeme McDowell, who defended his French Open title only a few weeks ago. The tougher the course plays the better for him, as he possesses a fantastic short game as well as one of the best mental games of all of the Europeans. Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have had solid though not spectacular years and both will attract interest from punters as usual. Neither has spent much time in contention recently however, so it is difficult to make a solid case for either. Martin Kaymer, along with Rose, looks to be our best chance of a home-grown winner. He’s German, so not exactly home-grown! But he isn’t American, so should he contend the gallery at Hoylake could adopt him as one of their own. Kaymer has enjoyed a sensational year, winning the Players Championship and the US Open. He is extremely consistent and possesses no real weaknesses, and is a typical German in the respect he doesn’t miss the chance to win when the opportunity presents itself. Paul Casey might be worth an each way bet.

There is a strong American contingent making their way across the Atlantic, and despite the unfamiliar courses and conditions they have a rich history of success at the Open. To be expected I suppose, given that they have had some of the best players in the world. Phil Mickelson defends following his heroics on the back nine at Muirfield last year. He has had a difficult year with the putter, but if he sorts that out then he could possibly contend. Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker have been extremely consistent; Spieth in particular has excelled in these big events and I would expect him to contend again. Ricky Fowler is a player who has embraced links golf and was particularly impressive in bad weather at Royal St Georges in 2011. Don’t let the colourful clothing and snowboarding cap fool you, he is a gritty competitor.