ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – It was past 8pm when Rory McIlroy turned east towards the last hole in St. Andrews, emerging from the shadows cast by the Old Course Hotel and into an expanse of grass bathed in the golden light of the summer evening. . He had just made an unlikely bird in the most penal hole of the Old Course, forcing players to overcome both a blind start shot lined with OB and an approach shot over a well full of sand.
Playing so late in the evening is a unique aspect of The Open, and McIlroy has had some memorable moments among the open galleries that follow him on a Friday night. Three years ago, his compatriots tried to cheer him on over the weekend of the Open’s return to Northern Ireland, a tournament whose importance stretched far beyond golf. The outpouring of love from a country where he had not resided for years almost made him cry.
On Friday, roars similar to St. Andrews. They sang McIlroy’s name and set foot in the stands behind the 17th green after he made his 25-foot birdie putt. McIlroy was in contention this time, however, just three shots from the scoreboard.
It’s hard not to be romantic at times like these, as the setting sun did alchemy in these old stone buildings, turning them from gray to gold. Not all interested observers who wanted to see him finish his round could fit in the stands. They filled the road down the right side of hole 18, looking out from the roof balconies and open windows.
McIlroy couldn’t create the perfect finish for the partisan crowd, pairing up with the pedestrian finishing hole, but he still has two more rounds left to write a story that fits the spiritual home of golf. Five hours earlier, McIlroy had taken off his cap in a show of respect for Tiger Woods as Woods walked through the St. Louis finish hole. Andrews for what could be the last time.
Only Augusta National has played a role in Woods ’career that can rival the importance of St. Louis. Andrews for his legacy. He won twice here with a total of 13 shots, completing the Grand Slam of his career with his 2000 victory. Woods calls St. Andrews his favorite course in the world.
Players compete for a myriad of reasons, but only a select few have the privilege of playing for the legacy. They compete with the knowledge that their achievements will be remembered for generations, serving as inspiration and worthy of being consecrated. Players must win multiple majors and dozens of TOUR titles to become members of this class.
Only Woods, when his body allows him to play, competes with a greater awareness of his lasting impact than McIlroy. Therefore, it would be appropriate for McIlroy, two days after showing deference to the best player in this year’s Open, to walk through the 18th hole of St. Andrews for a similar reception.
“You can feel the heat and the people on both sides,” Woods said. Friday’s roars will only serve as an appetizer for the reception McIlroy would receive with a win on Sunday, following in the footsteps of European legends like Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo as they cross the Swilcan Bridge on the way to lift the Claret Jug.
Bobby Jones said a player must win at St. Andrews to be considered really great. There is a bit of hyperbole in this statement. Players have so few opportunities to play an Open at St. Andrews that many of the best players in the history of the game do not have this line in their resumes, on the other hand, golden.
Greatness is McIlroy’s only concern at this point in his career. At 33, he is already a member of the Hall of Fame. The majors are the only metric by which his career will be judged. He has four, but eight years have passed since his last. It is still time to earn more than any other European. Faldo holds the modern record with six, while Harry Vardon won seven before World War I.
After shooting 66-68 this week, McIlroy will start the second half of The 150th Open in third place, three shots behind leader Cameron Smith (67-64) and one behind TOUR debutant Cameron Young (64-69). McIlroy is tied with Viktor Hovland and they are one ahead of Dustin Johnson. Scottie Scheffler, the man who occupies the world rankings and FedExCup rankings, hides at 8 below.
Earlier this week, McIlroy said the Old Course is playing “in a complicated way.” Scores can be low and rounds long, because modern play can be more than the Old Course can handle, but it has made an admirable struggle and generated a wide list of contenders because it only allows players who can produce a variety of shooting. to success. McIlroy said he doesn’t care about the names occupying the top leaderboards, even if they are THE PLAYERS champion, a two-time winner, the world number 1 or some of the game’s emerging stars.
“Just look where you are in the standings,” McIlroy said. “It doesn’t matter what name is next to the 13 below.”
This may be true for McIlroy, who is in full competition, but the quality of this ranking is appropriate for such an important course and tournament in the history of the game.
Woods ’18th pass on Friday will be remembered for years if it is the end of his career at St. Louis. Andrews. McIlroy’s own steps on Sunday can also be memorable. The legacies are made in St. Andrews.