Birkdale ‘fair’ test for The Open
SPANISH SENSATION ONE OF EARLY FAVOURITES
The British Open is the most exacting test of shotmaking among the four Major championships, while at the same time offering more players a chance of winning than the other three, former PGA Tour winner and analyst Brandel Chamblee believes. Competing in strong winds tests every facet of a player’s game, Chamblee said, while the hard bounce of Open courses allows shorter hitters a better chance than on some of the longer, softer layouts at the American Majors.
Royal Birkdale, where the 146th version of the championship starts on Thursday, is perhaps the fairest test on the Open rota, however, one that has never produced a lucky winner.
“It has the flattest fairways of any of the Open courses,” Chamblee, who will be part of Golf Channel’s team for its Live from the Open show from England, said.
“It’s fair and you don’t hear any rumblings from the players. In general, Open championship golf demands the most out of players. You’ve got to be able to work the ball left-right, right-left, up, down, cope with cross-winds.
“That’s why Sergio Garcia has had his most consistent Major there. He works it easily (both ways).” Like most links courses, wind is the best defence for Birkdale, a par-70 measuring 7 156-yards which Chamblee says is “long enough” to offer a decent test, although in an ideal world he would like all championship courses stretched much longer.
Questions hang over some of the big names heading to Birkdale. American Brooks Koepka (right) has not played since winning the US Open four weeks ago, and
neither has No 1 Dustin Johnson.
“I can’t wait to see Koepka come back,” said Chamblee. “What does he do for an encore?
“I hope Dustin has found his equilibrium after the birth of his child and injury at the Masters.”
Chamblee, though, thinks Spaniard Jon Rahm is the nominal favourite, a player with all the makings of greatness, while also expecting big things out of American Rickie Fowler and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy.
“I can’t wait for this to get underway,” said Chamblee.
“It’s not like Birkdale is easy but you’d like to see it blow a bit. Links golf is meant to be played with mother nature throwing spears.”
Rahm’s victory in Ireland last week has boosted the Spaniard’s confidence ahead of the Open.
“I said at the beginning of the week of the Irish, even before the tournament started, that I haven’t played my best golf on links golf courses,” Rahm (left) said.
“There was always something else. And to play the way I did here, it proves to me I can perform properly on a links golf course.
“And that’s what I’ve got to take to The Open. I know now that I have what it takes. “The Open Championship, it’s a little different deal just because a major championship will be set up probably harder than this week was. “But nevertheless, I know I can read the putts right, and I know I can interpret the wind and I can hit the shots and I can manage myself around the golf course properly enough to have a chance to win The Open. “Will that happen? I don’t know. But I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed last week.” – AFP
Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee