The British Open, or Open Championship as they title it across the pond, is the last-gasp chance for golf’s stars to shine in a 2024 major.
And some of those stars need to shine brighter than others. The following five players need a win to a) establish their already lofty position in the game; b) finally break through on the biggest stage; c) prove that jumping to LIV was no mistake; d) prove they still deserve the acclaim they currently hold.
5. Jon Rahm
When he was a member of the PGA Tour, Rahm’s fiery demeanor and thoughtful perspectives were applauded, but after joining LIV Golf, the emotional Spaniard now comes off as whiny and critical. His performance, meanwhile, has plummeted since he made the jump to the Saudi-funded league. Ditto his relevance. While Bryson DeChambeau has overcome LIV fatigue to become a crossover star, Rahm and his game have practically disappeared. He struggled at the Masters, fell behind early at the PGA Championship and withdrew from the U.S. Open with a foot injury. After an opening-round 2-over-par 73 at Royal Troon, he needs to get into contention or risk sinking further into oblivion.
4. Jordan Spieth
Seldom has someone remained near the top of golf’s popularity contest by doing so little over such a long stretch. After Rickie Fowler, Spieth wins the prize for worst performance-to-hype ratio. Dubbed golf’s golden boy a decade ago after collecting his third major title before age 23, the Texan has not won a major since the 2017 Open Championship and has won only twice on tour since then. If fans are to continue to take Spieth seriously, he needs to have a big week in Scotland. He’s not off to a bad start, shooting an even-par 71 Thursday.
3. Scottie Scheffler
It’s one thing to dominate the competition on cookie-cutter courses that require little imagination in how to play them – and Scheffler has done just that this season, having won six times already – but the No. 1 player in the world has yet to show he can win big on golf courses that test creative strategy. He looked confused during the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, barely making the cut and tying for 41st, and arrived at Royal Troon’s challenging links layout needing to show he can contend when more is required than bombing drives and hitting high wedges into perfectly manicured greens. Scheffler golfed with Spieth in the first round and finished one shot better, scoring a 1-under-par 70.
2. Tommy Fleetwood
The Englishman is the nice girl who can’t get a date to the prom. It seems Mr. Mullet is always in contention at majors, but never ends up winning them, or anything else. The 33-year-old Fleetwood is ranked No. 12 in the world yet has never won on the PGA Tour. This week offers a chance to rid himself of being mentioned with Fowler, Tony Finau and a few others who might be considered the best player without a major, but his first-round 76 puts him in a precarious position to wipe the slate clean.
1. Rory McIlroy
Thanks to McIlroy, approved gimmes in golf leagues have become harder to come by. After missing two short putts on the 16th and 18th holes during the final round of the U.S. Open, McIlroy again had to hear how he chokes in the biggest moments. It has been 10 years since the long hitter from Northern Ireland captured his last major, and McIlroy needs a win this week to wash away the taste not only of those missed putts at Pinehurst but to silence the critics who wonder if he will ever hoist another major championship trophy. Alas, after shooting a 7-over 78 Thursday that put him well outside the top 125, any hope of quieting his demons appears to be lost.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: British Open Championship win would elevate these 5 PGA Tour players
