From the bunkers to the Ryder Cup, the hottest topics at The Open

HOYLAKE, England — When Brooks Koepka walked as much as the primary tee at Royal Liverpool Golf Membership for a observe spherical Monday, U.S. Ryder Cup crew captain Zach Johnson, world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler and defending Open Championship winner Cameron Smith had been ready to tee off as effectively.

“There was little wait, so all of us performed,” Koepka mentioned.

It was most likely a good suggestion for Johnson and Koepka to get reacquainted earlier than the upcoming Ryder Cup, which is scheduled Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf Membership outdoors Rome. Koepka all however secured a spot on the U.S. crew by profitable the PGA Championship for a 3rd time in Might. He may most likely wrap it up with displaying this week, which would be the LIV Golf League star’s final likelihood to earn Ryder Cup factors.

“Yeah, it was enjoyable,” Koepka mentioned. “We acquired to speak about it a little bit bit, simply what is going on on, I assume how the crew is shaping up. It is form of attention-grabbing.”

Whereas Koepka’s roster spot appears protected, there are nonetheless questions regarding each the U.S. and European rosters, and a handful of gamers may assist themselves with sturdy showings within the final main championship of the season.

The U.S. crew will embody six automated qualifiers — the gamers with essentially the most Ryder Cup factors after the BMW Championship on Aug. 20. As of Thursday, the highest six gamers are Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Koepka, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa. All however Homa appear almost assured of creating the squad proper now, even when they fall out of the highest six.

“Clearly, I do know the place I stand within the rankings,” mentioned Clark, the U.S. Open winner. ” I do not understand how it will play out the remainder of the yr. I wish to assume I am on the crew, however on the similar time, I consider I’ve nonetheless acquired to go earn it.”

Johnson will make six captain decisions to fill his roster. 4-time Ryder Cup veteran Jordan Spieth (eighth in factors) and Rickie Fowler (twelfth) would additionally appear to be in good condition. Fowler most likely secured a roster spot by profitable the Rocket Mortgage Classic earlier this month. He has 15 top-25 finishes in 21 begins and tied for fifth on the U.S. Open. Plus, he is one of the common gamers on tour.

Two-time main winner Collin Morikawa (ninth) is not enjoying in addition to he did in 2020 and ’21, however he went 3-0-1 on the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

“I’d love an enormous week,” Morikawa mentioned. “Clearly, the purpose is to win. That is what it’s each week. Ryder Cup is clearly an enormous purpose of mine and has been for the previous two years, particularly turning into the start of this yr, and it nonetheless is. However profitable takes care of every thing.”

Keegan Bradley is seventh within the standings, Cameron Young is tenth, Sam Burns is eleventh and Justin Thomas is thirteenth. Thomas has struggled mightily this season with solely three top-10s in 17 begins. He missed the reduce on the Masters and U.S. Open and tied for sixty fifth on the PGA Championship. Nonetheless, JT went 6-2-1 up to now two Ryder Cups, the perfect document for an American who performed in each.

Homa, Bradley, Younger, Burns, Morikawa and Thomas may use one thing particular this week to safe their locations. They don’t seem to be alone. Tony Finau has gained 4 occasions up to now yr however has fallen to 18th within the standings. LIV Golf League star Dustin Johnson is thirty fifth within the standings, however he went 5-0 at Whistling Straits and has 12 victories in 5 Ryder Cup appearances. Like Koepka, he is eligible for the crew as a result of he retained his PGA of America membership.

European crew captain Luke Donald will not have to fret about deciding on LIV Golf League gamers. Ryder Cup veterans Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and others resigned their DP World Tour memberships, making them ineligible for the Ryder Cup.

The Europeans have six automated qualifiers — the highest three from the European factors standings (Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Robert MacIntyre are presently the highest three), and the highest three from the world factors standings who have not already certified (Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick).

England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose and Eire’s Shane Lowry would appear to be protected, whether or not they’re automated qualifiers or a captain’s selection. Germany’s Yannik Paul, Poland’s Adrian Meronk, Denmark’s Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard, Austria’s Sepp Straka, France’s Victor Perez, Sweden’s Alex Noren and Ludvig Aberg and Eire’s Padraig Harrington additionally appear to be within the combine.

“Keep out of the golf green bunkers”

Midway by way of Monday at The Open, Fitzpatrick stepped as much as the twelfth tee at Royal Liverpool together with his driver and hit a wayward tee shot. He then hit one other one within the bunker. One other one, this time within the fairway, and eventually another for good measure.

“I believe at the same time as an newbie, I would not essentially say I had nice outcomes on hyperlinks golf programs,” Fitzpatrick mentioned. “There are a great deal of nice [links courses]. It is only for me, it does not essentially swimsuit my eye.”

Whereas final yr’s U.S. Open winner won’t desire hyperlinks programs, he did say he enjoys enjoying robust setups in robust situations when he has to grind out pars as an alternative of racking up birdies. If the wind picks up at Hoylake this week, Fitzpatrick could play effectively whatever the links-style setting.

After just a few days of observe at Royal Liverpool, one factor is for certain: Membership selections off the tee will likely be fascinating, particularly if the situations worsen. The primary 4 holes may all see gamers retaining their head covers on, relying on the technique they select. Three mid-length par 4s and a brief par 4 will make gamers select their membership properly.

On Tuesday, for instance, Thomas took a hybrid off the tee on the 426-yard par-4 third, which options inner out of bounds up the proper facet. Fowler, Sahith Theegala and Homa took lengthy irons. On the brief 367-yard fourth gap, all of them pulled out the identical golf equipment, laying again within the course of.

Although the golf course runs almost 7,400 yards and can play lengthy with the rain, accuracy will nonetheless be key extra so than distance. That is largely because of the treacherous bunkers all through the course.

“That is step No. 1 this week,” Morikawa mentioned. “Keep out of the golf green bunkers.”

One of many beauties of most hyperlinks golf programs is that the bunkers are true hazards. This week, that is much more the case with how they’re being raked. As participant Michael Kim identified on Twitter, the rakes are wider, and the sand has been positioned in such a means that golf balls that fall in is not going to trickle towards the center of the bunker, making an up-and-down simpler. As an alternative, balls have the potential to get hung up close to the face of the bunkers or on the again edge, making the photographs rather more troublesome.

One other factor about Liverpool… these bunkers have actually extensive enamel rakes… is perhaps robust to see with this video however the ball actually rolls right down to the crevice. It is not plugged however def not lie ESPECIALLY if you happen to’re in a fairway bunker. Auto 60 diploma pitch out. They could… pic.twitter.com/4nTFXUpG1P

— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) July 17, 2023

“Any time you are in a bunker, it is just about a stroke penalty the way in which the bunkers are formed this week,” Scheffler mentioned. “Anytime my ball goes in the direction of a bunker, I am very nervous. I am simply going to try to keep away from the bunkers in any respect prices.”

Gamers have spent ample time within the close by chipping space, dropping balls throughout every bunker and making an attempt to see the right way to finest get out. Laurie Canter’s caddie purposefully threw balls into the face of the bunker to see how they’d bounce and the place they’d land. Canter laughed and struggled to get them out, exaggerating his open-face method and getting out of the way in which as sand splashed towards him.

Conversely, loads of gamers have devoted time to dialing of their short-sided photographs over these bunkers as effectively. With the situations of the course being a bit extra inexperienced and barely moist, there is a good likelihood some balls roll as much as or land close to the bunker, calling for a flop shot of shorts. On the brief par-3 17, the R&A has cruelly positioned the drop zone simply behind a type of treacherous bunkers. A real penalty drop ultimately.

Talking of 17 …

The holes that might determine the match

With regards to the seventeenth gap, everybody wished extra drama. To listen to R&A CEO Martin Slumbers discuss it, it wasn’t simply the R&A that desired extra pleasure to the end at Hoylake after 2006 and 2014. The membership wished it, too. And so, a brand new gap was born. The outdated fifteenth gap was flipped round to go towards the ocean, shortened to about 136 yards and sure into wind, with its tee positioned inside a cavernous grandstand that might deceive gamers come match time.

“I’d say whether it is, it is truthful, as a result of it is unfair to all people,” Rahm mentioned of the outlet. “Prefer it’s golf, and it is life. Easy as that.”

The opening, known as “Little Eye,” is a sight to behold. Its infinity inexperienced falls on primarily all sides and is surrounded by bunkers. To say you want a near-perfect shot isn’t an exaggeration. When the wind inevitably picks up, you may want some luck too.

Ought to a participant discover the floor on 17, a birdie will definitely decide up photographs on the sector, whereas a two-putt par will really feel like a win. Any shot that trickles off the inexperienced or right into a bunker would require a grueling quantity of labor to save lots of bogey and a miracle to nonetheless make par.

“There’s probably not a high-percentage play,” Scheffler mentioned. “You simply need to hit a very good shot, and if you happen to do not, I’d say lacking it left of the inexperienced is a little bit bit higher than proper.”

Slumbers, for his half, mentioned he believes all nice par 3s are brief, citing the twelfth at Augusta and the seventeenth at TPC Sawgrass alongside the brand new addition to Royal Liverpool. Extra importantly, in his thoughts, the made-for-drama gap stands out amongst a compelling end to a spherical.

“I believe it matches effectively,” Slumbers mentioned of 17. “What it additionally does, it enabled us to reconfigure the ultimate bit round there. So we acquired 4 holes. The ultimate 4 holes will likely be 610 par-5, 480 par-4, 136 par-3, 620 par-5. A variety of issues may occur on that, and I believe that drama will unfold come Sunday.”

Ought to it come right down to it, the 18th gap will likely be significantly fascinating. The lengthy par-5 options inner out of bounds fairly near the golf green on the proper and all week lengthy, gamers have been ensuring to take a number of photographs from their drive to see if they’ll go for it, in addition to loads of wedges from the golf green and tough lower than 100 yards out ought to they lay again. Rose tried to go for it late Thursday, and his ball ended up almost behind the left grandstand on the 18th. Come Sunday, the decision-making will likely be compelling, particularly if a participant wants a birdie or an eagle to win.

Eyes on the climate

The climate forecast for the weekend continues to look dicey. It has already modified the course, as Slumbers famous throughout his information convention Wednesday. He hoped for a browned-out, slick course just like the one Tiger Woods conquered to win The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2006.

“Once I was it 5, six weeks in the past, and I used to be enthusiastic about that,” Slumbers mentioned. “However each time I get excited a couple of good brown golf course, Mom Nature is available in. I believe one of many beauties of The Open Championship and the way in which I inherited it from my predecessors and the way in which I do it’s we do not combat nature. We simply let nature [happen]. It is rained and it is now inexperienced.

“However on the opposite facet of it, the tough has come up. When it was brown, the tough had burnt out and it was a distinct golf course.”

The forecast for the weekend does not look nice, until you want correct Open Championship-like climate. Thursday’s opening spherical is anticipated to be performed underneath partly cloudy skies with a slight likelihood of showers. There is a 71% likelihood of rain Friday morning, 93% likelihood on Saturday and 83% likelihood of sunshine rain Sunday. Winds are anticipated to be 20 to 25 mph.

So which gamers are more proficient at dealing with the poor situations? McIlroy, Koepka, Fowler, Johnson, Jason Day, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott, Tommy Fleetwood, Hatton and Patrick Reed have been thought-about among the many finest “dangerous climate” gamers, though, consider it or not, there’s not an out there metric to document the statistic.

The third spherical of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Nation Membership was performed in a downpour, and solely 9 gamers recorded scores underneath par. Koepka (66), Fleetwood (68), McIlroy (69), Justin Rose (69), Hatton (69) and Reed (69) had been amongst them.

Eire’s Shane Lowry survived a downpour and powerful winds within the closing spherical to win the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Eire. Surprisingly, he’s not a fan of enjoying within the rain and wind, although many individuals have instructed he’s. Lowry famously misplaced the 2022 Honda Traditional to Straka after he needed to hit his tee shot in torrential rain on the 72nd gap.

“No, I do not,” Lowry mentioned. “I felt like that on Sunday in Scotland [last week]. There was a 40 mph wind and everybody was like, ‘Oh, it ought to swimsuit you.’ However I felt like I used to be enjoying effectively sufficient that if the climate was good, I’d’ve had a greater likelihood.”

Rahm speaks up

Maybe no different participant in addition to McIlroy has been as up entrance and keen to speak in regards to the divide in golf over the previous yr than Rahm.

This week was no completely different. Whereas some gamers reverted to traces they utilized in earlier tournaments, citing a lack of information and uncertainty of their solutions, Rahm dove into the small print of the framework agreement between the PGA Tour and Public Funding Fund of Saudi Arabia greater than most, even tackling hot-button subjects like whether or not gamers who remained loyal to the tour ought to obtain compensation.

“I perceive the PGA Tour desirous to do one thing for these gamers who helped and stayed on the PGA Tour,” Rahm mentioned. “I will be the primary one to say I wasn’t pressured into something. It was my selection to remain.”

Whereas Rahm mentioned he would not be upset to obtain some type of compensation, he disagreed that there ought to completely be compensation for the gamers who remained loyal to the PGA Tour.

“All of us had the prospect to go to LIV and take the cash, and we selected to remain on the PGA Tour for no matter cause we selected.,” Rahm mentioned. “As I’ve mentioned earlier than, I already make a tremendous dwelling doing what I do. I am extraordinarily grateful, and that every one occurred due to the platform the PGA Tour supplied me. So far as I am involved, they’ve completed sufficient for me.”

Rahm additionally took the chance to face behind PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who has acquired plenty of criticism all through the previous yr and most not too long ago took a medical leave. The No. 3-ranked participant on the planet mentioned Monahan has not misplaced his belief and deserves extra time to determine the place the way forward for the game goes from right here given all of the gamers need to work off is a framework settlement.

“I believe he is completed a improbable job,” Rahm mentioned. “I’d say it was sudden what occurred. I believe what the administration of the PGA Tour, the flip they took with out us understanding was very sudden, however I nonetheless assume he is been doing an amazing job.”

Although Rahm has been vocal, he has been in a position to compartmentalize the seeming division effectively. At each main this yr, the Spaniard has both spent his time throughout observe rounds enjoying with Sergio Garcia — his fellow countryman who went to LIV — and Phil Mickelson — his fellow Arizona State alum who spearheaded the complete LIV operation.

On Wednesday at Hoylake, Rahm as soon as once more performed a observe spherical with Mickelson, with whom he is clearly nonetheless very pleasant. One of many questions that is still is how LIV gamers will likely be integrated again into the tour if LIV ceases to exist. Rahm mentioned he thinks most individuals have assumed gamers would even need to come again within the first place.

“That is one of many issues that the settlement must type out,” he mentioned. “From what I hear, they do not actually need to come again, so I do not know. It is tough, proper? I can perceive individuals on the PGA Tour not wanting these gamers again, and I may also perceive why a few of them need to come again.”

One factor Rahm was sure and adamant about was this: Gamers who do return ought to obtain some type of punishment. What precisely that punishment is, nonetheless, are waters he isn’t wading in.

“I am not a politician. That is not my job,” Rahm mentioned. “That is for the disciplinary board and different individuals which are paid to try this. My job is to hit the golf ball and attempt to do the perfect I can.”