A welcome return

Amid all the concerns of 2020, I think it’s fair to say most golf fans in this country felt a small pang of loss last July when denied our annual fix of top-level links golf. It seems an age since Shane Lowry’s stirring win in the 148th Open at Royal Portrush, revisited by Fergus Bisset on page 46. It will feel like a giant step in the right direction when the first ball is struck at Royal St George’s on July 15.

We’ve been fortunate to enjoy a selection of fabulous men’s Major Championships since Portrush in 2019, none more momentous than Phil Mickelson’s win for the ages at Kiawah Island. But, for me, nothing quite matches The Open. Others might argue for The Masters, but, as far as I’m concerned, The Open is the greatest individual event in men’s golf.

The tournament just offers so much variety, with the unpredictable conditions and the often joyful yet sometimes vengeful vagaries of links golf. It’s a contest in which a huge percentage of the field has a chance. The nature of the challenge allows veterans to display their skills and lesserknown hopefuls to make a charge. But the severity of the test also allows the very best to shine and lift themselves above the pack.

Greg Norman memorably did that at St George’s in 1993. His final-round 64 was one of the finest in the history of the game and one that springs to my mind when I think of past Open performances. Robin Barwick spoke to Norman and his then coach Butch Harmon, who relive that incredible week on page 56. Another wonderful memory from Sandwich was Sandy Lyle’s nail-biting win in 1985. I was a teenager when Sandy became the first home Open winner since Tony Jacklin in 1969 and the memories came flooding back as I read Mark Townsend’s excellent recollection of the event, which you’ll find on page 66.

Royal St George’s is a course that always delivers an eventful and exciting championship. It’s one of the most exacting layouts on the Open rota and will definitely be a star of the show come the event. The other likely stars are harder to predict.

Last time at St George’s, experience won the day with Darren Clarke emerging as a hugely popular champion. But in 2003, unknown debutant Ben Curtis surprised the field. It’s open, and therein lies the beauty of the championship. Let battle commence.

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