Collin Morikawa says creativity is crucial at the Open Championship
The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool kicks off today as the world’s best golfers gather for one last chance at a major in 2023 on the unique challenge offered by a links course.
Rory McIlroy, a winner at this venue in 2014, enters the tournament confident of ending his nine-year drought and starts in a standout group on Thursday afternoon, along with fellow Ryder Cup teammates Justin Rose and Jon Rahm.
McIlroy denied local favorite Bob MacIntyre the Scottish Open title last week by brilliantly birdieing the last two holes in terrible conditions and that form of links could see him lift the Claret Jug on Sunday.
However, there are plenty of other contenders for the Hoylake crown, including world number 1 Scottie Scheffler and in-form hometown favorite Tommy Fleetwood, who will play together on Thursday afternoon. Defending champion Cameron Smith will not give up the Claret Jug without a fight, while Viktor Hovland appears to be on the verge of his first major title and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka can never be ruled out.
Follow live coverage of the 151st Open Championship at Hoylake below:
The 2023 Open: Hoylake in action
Some early morning photos from Royal Liverpool.
(PENNSYLVANIA)
(Reuters)
(PENNSYLVANIA)
(PENNSYLVANIA)
luke bakerJuly 20, 2023 08:15
The Open 2023: Matthew Jordan tees off
Here was Royal Liverpool member Matthew Jordan who got us going a bit early.
luke bakerJuly 20, 2023 08:00
The Open 2023: Notable tee times in the afternoon
The afternoon wave also has a number of featured groups, including one Rory McIlroy. Here are some names to watch out for later today.
1448 Viktor Hovland (North), Tony Finau (USA), Justin Thomas (USA)
1459 Rory McIlroy (NIR), Jon Rahm (Esp), Justin Rose (Eng)
1510 Collin Morikawa (USA), Max Homa (USA), Tyrrell Hatton (English)
1521 Phil Mickelson (USA), Nick Taylor (Can), Adam Schenk (USA)
luke bakerJuly 20, 2023 07:40
The Open 2023: Notable morning tee times
There are some big names taking the field this morning. Here are some of the notable departure times in the first wave of players.
0903 Jordan Spieth (USA), Matt Fitzpatrick (English), Jason Day (aus)
0947 Scottie Scheffler (USA), Tommy Fleetwood (English), Adam Scott (aus)
0958 Cameron Smith (Australia), Xander Schauffele (United States), Wyndham Clark (United States)
1009 Shane Lowry (Ire), Rickie Fowler (USA), Robert MacIntyre (Sco)
1020 Cameron Young (United States), Si Woo Kim (Kor), Bryson DeChambeau (United States)
luke baker20 July 2023 07:20
The Open 2023: tee times and schedule for Round 1, including Rory McIlroy
The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool promises to deliver plenty of drama as the world’s best golfers come together for one last shot at a major in 2023 on the unique challenge offered by a links course.
Groups on either side of McIlroy’s trio will also draw plenty of eyes as Viktor Hovland and Tony Finau look for their first Grand Slam starting at 2:48pm with the two-time US PGA champion.
The morning wave of players also includes plenty of genuine title contenders with world number 1 Scottie Scheffler, in-form local favorite Tommy Fleetwood and likable Aussie Adam Scott teeing off at 9:47am, 11 minutes early. than defending champion Cameron Smith, the winner of the US Open.
These are the tee times for the first round at Royal Liverpool:
luke bakerJuly 20, 2023 07:01
The 151 Open starts
The first group is on the course and we are underway at the Royal Liverpool for the 151st Open. It’s Hoylake member Matthew Jordan who topped the qualifying and was given the tee shot honor this year.
His heart must be pounding, even though it’s a shot he’s hit a hundred times in his life here, and his drive drifts into the left rough with a packed crowd watching.
He’s playing alongside Richie Ramsay and Branden Grace by the way. Four days of world-class sports theater have begun.
luke bakerJuly 20, 2023 06:49
Rory McIlroy convinced he has the secret to finally cracking the master code
Rory McIlroy has worn many labels of late. World number 1, best ball hitter on the planet, FedEx Cup winner, loyal leader in golf’s civil war. But the one he desperately wants the most, the great champion, still eludes him.
It’s been nine years since McIlroy blasted his way to a fourth major title in 40 months by winning the PGA of USA in 2014 and, just turning 25, it seemed only a matter of time until he jumped into the top five winners. most prolific male of all time.
Sure, you would have had to be the biggest of Rory believers to genuinely think he could match Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 or Tiger Woods’ 14 (later 15) back then, but certainly joining Ben Hogan and Gary Player for fourth in nine, or even catching Walter Hagen’s 11 felt, if not inevitable, then at least very possible.
Instead, an inexplicable drought began, and nearly a decade later, he’s still stuck at four and his failure to break the line at the four biggest tournaments of the year has definitely become “a thing.”
The Northern Irishman has repeatedly won everything there is to win and has accomplished everything there is to achieve in golf, but the big leagues have been nothing but disappointment and often utter heartbreak.
Read Luke Baker’s preview of a big week in Merseyside for McIlroy:
luke bakerJuly 20, 2023 06:42
The 2023 Open Championship
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the 151st Open Championship from Hoylake.
What a four days await us at Royal Liverpool as Rory McIlroy attempts to win a first major in nine years. Stay with us for live coverage of the entire tournament.
luke bakerJuly 20, 2023 06:41