Molinari returns claret jug, faces long odds getting it back

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND >> Golf’s oldest championship is all about tradition, and this is one Francesco Molinari could have done without.

Fifty-one weeks after he won the British Open and gazed at his name etched on the silver claret jug, he had to return it.

Getting it back won’t be easy.

“I’m well aware of the challenges ahead,” Molinari said July 15 on the first day of official practice at Royal Portrush. “There’s a lot of guys capable this week of winning the trophy. All I can do is do my best, try to put up a good defense and be in contention on Sunday. It’s a long week ahead, so I’ll try to take it step-by-step.”

The first order of business was getting to know the links.

Molinari was among the 21 players who played the Irish Open in 2012 at Royal Portrush. The sharp elevation, sensational views of the limestone cliffs known as White Rocks and the Dunluce Castle in the distance, it all looked familiar. But it’s not quite the same course.

The Royal & Ancient wanted two new holes — Nos. 7 and 8 — to weave into the century-old links so that the final two holes could be used for concessions and promotional displays for more than 200,000 spectators expected this week.

The elevation is rare for links golf, especially courses in the British Open rotation, and there are fewer pot bunkers.

“We play a lot in England where it’s quite flat,” Tommy Fleetwood said. “And in front of you there’s a lot more bunkers on those links courses. These have a few more undulations and a few more blind shots. Sure, in general if you hit a good shot there’s always a bit of unpredictability on links golf. And you’re going to get good breaks and bad breaks. But definitely, poor shots are going to get punished.”

Tiger Woods was again out early, this time going 18 holes with Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson.