Open stars post a weather warning
PHIL Mickelson will play without a driver and Jordan Spieth says fieldsplitting weather could determine the winner of the British Open which starts today at Royal Birkdale with expectations mother nature won’t hold back.
The sun was out for final practice yesterday but thunderstorms loom for the opening round where 11 Aussies will begin their battle for the Claret Jug having found similarities to Melbourne’s Sandbelt to their liking.
Gold Coaster Adam Scott, who blew his chance at Open glory in 2012 with four final-hole bogeys at Royal Lytham, is the only Aussie in the top 10 of betting and despite carrying those bad memories forever has found much-needed comfort at this year’s course.
“Without sounding crazy, it’s not too dissimilar to some of the great Sandbelt courses in and around Melbourne,” Scott said of Royal Birkdale.
Marc Leishman, who made a four-man Open playoff at St Andrews in 2015, enjoyed the sandbelt qualities of Royal Birkdale as he made his way through practice.
“I like having to think my way around the golf course and this is one that certainly offers plenty of options, and you have to pick the right one,” Leishman said.
“It definitely has some similarities with the Sandbelt.”
But any familiarity could be useless if the weather turns and it is that element which Spieth, who has a best Open finish of fourth in 2015, said could be decisive.
Spieth said who played when rather than how they played could be telling.
“This is my fifth one now and I’ve seen really dry and favourable conditions … and then last year was pretty wicked on I think Friday. And I’ve kind of seen a bit of everything,” Spieth said of the fickle coastal conditions.
“It may be the easiest of the majors to win, if you had to pick a major, just because the draw can take out half a field.”
Course craft could be crucial too so Mickelson, runner-up last year after an epic Sunday showdown with Swede Henrik Stenson, has ditched his driver, will hit threewoods off the tee and has two three irons and four wedges in a bag that could contain a few veteran tricks as well.