Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Golfing immortality is an Open & shut case
WINNING The Open is the Holy Grail of golf. To lift the Claret Jug secures the title of Champion Golfer of the Year.
It also seals a special place in the history of the sport.
I was fortunate enough to tee it up at Royal Troon and Sandwich in 1997 and 2003.
A missed cut in ‘97 and T34 finish six years later can be filed under MF for mixed fortunes – but both occasions go down as among the most momentous of my career.
Even for those returning to this stage for the umpteenth time, the electricity and sense of anticipation never dims.
Practice days fill you with more adrenaline than regular tour events.
Carnoustie will provide the ultimate test and it has a history of providing drama down the stretch.
Who can forget 1999 when Paul Lawrie clawed back 10 shots on Jean van de Velde to overhaul the Frenchman and Justin Leonard in a play-off ?
Van de Velde’s final hole collapse has gone down in golfing infamy, a warning to any prospective champion standing on the 18th tee on Sunday.
Padraig Harrington didn’t scrimp on the drama either the last time the Scottish links hosted the tournament in 2007, holding his nerve to beat Sergio Gracia in a play-off.
There’s every chance this week could provide the same sporting theatre.
World No1 Dustin Johnson is 10/1 favourite, while the lowest priced Irishman is Rory Mcilroy at 16s.
It is now four years since Rory’s last major triumph – the USPGA – while his last Open success was at Hoylake the same year.
Rory, who turned 29 in May, has enjoyed a phenomenal career to date, but he is capable of so much more.
He has looked a bit flat in recent times, but motivation won’t be an issue this week.
He’s had a break since The Irish Open and has been careful not to over prepare for Carnoustie, something he was guilty of prior to the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
His tee-to-green play at Ballyliffin was superb and if he can find form on the greens, he can go close.
Rory’s fear factor has waned in recent times but a W at the greatest major of all would restore his elevated status in world golf.
He has promised an aggressive approach at Carnoustie and maybe playing with a renewed sense of desire and destiny will get him over the line as he chases his fifth major.
It was at his last Open outing at Carnoustie in 2007 that Rory announced himself to the world by claiming the Silver Medal as top placed amateur.
Fond memories.
He’ll hope a familiar stage delivers the biggest prize of all come Sunday.