Collin Morikawa is a multiple-Major winner, Jordan Spieth remains the best show in golf, and the Open Championship scratched a links-golf itch two years in the making.
While nothing is official, multiple reports in the UK and Ireland last weekend hinted that the R&A is leaning towards returning to Royal Portrush after the Northern Ireland course hosted most recently in 2019.
Bogey-free, the 38-year-old South African strolled round Royal St George’s in a nifty six-under par 64 to claim the early lead in the 149th Open Championship.
In a year when he added a sixth Major title to his collection – becoming the oldest to win a men’s Major in the process – the 2013 Open champion has otherwise been reduced to also-ran status on almost a weekly basis.
The timeless advice from Peter Thomson, the memories of Greg Norman’s 1993 victory and a driver setup that made him a Masters champion. This is the formula that Adam Scott believes can finally deliver the Open win he craves above all others.
As is always the case at golf’s marquee events, there are no shortage of tantalising storylines leading up to Thursday’s first tee shot. Here are five to keep an eye on as you relish the return of The Open.
The championship is part of the UK government’s “events research program”, which is designed to measure the level of transmission when large crowds gather and, in turn, hopefully open up events like Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix and The Open to more and more spectators.
The first Spaniard to win America’s national championship, Rahm is a good bet to be the first player since Tiger Woods to apex the US Open and the Open in the same season.