Location: St Andrews, Scotland Dates: 14-17 July Coverage: BBC TV, radio and online, on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile application. Complete coverage details.
As Rory McIlroy walked the first hole of the St Andrews Old Course just after 10am on Thursday, an elegant man – not to mention incredibly brave – with about four more pink polka dots called out his support to the north. Irish. .
“Go get it, Rory!” he screamed. And, sir, how McIlroy went and got it.
On a fast and fiery track, his day of seven birds and a bogey followed a surreal trend. This was his fifth round at a St Andrews Open and he still has to throw in the 70s. In 2010, he did 63, 80, 69, 68 and now there is a sumptuous, almost leisurely, six under 66 for throw in the mixture.
This was his best start to an Open since 2014, when he shot 66 on Thursday at Hoylake and won on Sunday.
Here he hit monster drives: a 412-yard wind-assisted 14th. He nailed battleship putts: a 55-foot to the first for birdie. In virtually everything he did, he was in control. He was seldom in danger.
His driving was exceptional. His inn was infallible. When he faced 80 and 90 feet across large surfaces, he scored two goals easily and got out of there with birdies and pars. It was deeply impressive.
“There are small parts of the round that show you where you are with everything mentally, physically, and today I went through all those little tests unscathed and I’m very proud of that,” he said. “It might seem easy, but there are certain parts of the round that are a challenge.
“It’s the most awkward Open I’ve ever played. It’s the only way I can really describe it. As the tournament progresses, you’ll get some fun bounces and sometimes it will test your patience. Fiddly hasn’t really done that. it’s been my stronghold over the years, but I hope it makes it my stronghold this week. ”
“McIlroy is next best for R&A behind Woods”
This was the Rory that not only Rory fans wanted to see, but most likely the R&A also wanted to see. As this is the 150th Open, they must be looking forward to a champion golfer adapting to this story, now more than ever.
There’s no disrespect to overnight leader Cameron Young, but he’s not cutting it. Neither Cam Smith nor Kurt Kitayama or Brad Kennedy, all at the top of the standings, all stellar performers on Thursday.
These same officials might be saying quiet ninths that it’s not one of the others gliding in the rarefied air of the top 10 status after the initial round: the dreaded LIV set. Lee Westwood is up there, Ian Poulter is in the mix, Bryson DeChambeau is close and Talor Gooch is too. They are not the only ones.
For the 150th Open, R&A will dream of an equal name and the presence of die-hard hipsters so close to the top, even though there is still a world in golf to play, will be uncomfortable for the golf establishment.
A tiger would be his nirvana, but that doesn’t happen. Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm and others would be totally acceptable, but McIlroy is the best thing behind Woods. It’s the kind of class act and clean ambassador they want to see with that Claret Jug. And you can win. Don’t doubt it.
It could have taken five hours and 44 minutes to complete, a basic frustration of life at a St Andrews Open with its gigantic green double and endless waits on tees and streets, but it was a joy.
The Open 2022: Rory McIlroy satisfied with a good start in St Andrews
Staying calm at the mouth is a challenge in itself and is a challenge that McIlroy faced with a calmness that made you wonder — it’s not the first time, needless to say — if this is the week in what comes of his eight-year wait for another big one. until the end.
Eight years. For a blessed player with all the necessary weapons, it is a ridiculous time period. Twenty-three different golfers have won a major since McIlroy won the U.S. PGA Championship in 2014, the fourth of his career.
Zach Johnson has won a major title since then. So has Danny Willett. Also Jimmy Walker and Gary Woodland. Francesco Molinari is a big newer winner than the perennial contender. Woods and Phil Mickelson, glorious lights of other days, have succeeded. Even Sergio Garcia, the man forever, has been surpassed more recently than McIlroy.
If you had said that Sunday in Valhalla in 2014 that McIlroy would not win any of the next 29 major championships, people would have backed down with a mixture of pity and fear in their eyes.
McIlroy said recently that at the time he hadn’t even heard of Collin Morikawa or Rahm. A new generation has passed. Eight different players have won the last eight majors. It has been the narrative of McIlroy’s life for the longest time. “When is Rory winning another of these things?” has become “Is Rory winning another of these things?”
“Pressure situations are a challenge for him,” said Paul McGinley, his former Ryder Cup captain.
“He has no Plan B to change to when things don’t go well,” said Nick Faldo, a man who never needed a Plan B because his Plan A was usually very good.
“The ranking could hardly seem better to him”
McIlroy is one of the most analyzed golfers in recent history because he is one of the most interesting and talented we have ever seen. He has also won pretty much everything else in these eight years without majors. Player Championship, World Golf Titles, National Opens, Fed-Ex titles, Dubai race crowns.
The idea of entering a ninth year without one of the game’s most sought-after trophies is amazing. Thursday made you believe that maybe you won’t have to.
“It never feels easy,” he said. “There were key moments in the round. I hit a good birdie putt on the eighth hole, I hit it three feet away. I didn’t really feel so comfortable with the second putt, but I went up there, committed to he.a good putt.It’s like those little parts of the rounds that put you to the test.
“And I feel like every time the round did this to me, I was able to get over it. The golf course is playing so, so short [on the 615-yard par-five 14th he hit driver, wedge – and his approach was long]. But it’s still complicated. It’s not like everyone is turning off the lights. “
McIlroy talked about the delays that exist, the game within a game. “It’s quite a stop-start, but I think St Andrews is like that. There are a lot of crossings and waiting for the greens to clear up due to the driving par fours. So I think, especially the first two days when it’s the full field., It’s to wait “.
The game is good, the mind is good, the rating could hardly seem better to him. Since the last tasting victory in the major stages, McIlroy has finished in the top 10 in majors on 16 occasions and the top five eight times.
“I had a chance at Carnoustie in 2018,” he said. “I played in the final group with Patrick Reed in 2018 in Augusta. I was tied for the lead with nine holes to play Torrey Pines. [US Open, 2021]. I had some opportunities and I didn’t capitalize. “
It’s too early to tell if this is the only one, but it’s not too early for his legions of fans – here they are everywhere – to start dreaming. Another bright day on Friday and McIlroy supporters will be asking for scented salts.