Open For Business: The 149th Open

Open For Business: The 149th Open

Sport invites hyperbole.

You need only ask the patrons of Royal St Georges Golf Club.

As long-ago as 1894; they pronounced “Its Coming Home”, when becoming the first establishment (out-with Scotland), to host the Open Championships.

Within the next few days; their ancestors are set to do likewise, as the most prestigious tournament on the golfing calendar, returns to the Kent Course for its 149th renewal.

Universally recognised as a ‘great leveller’, the sport of golf can at-times prove as unpredictable as the climate.

As always, an all-star cast readies itself for the unique challenges presented by Links Course Golf. And they include… world No.44 and current champion Shane Lowry; who, whilst welcoming the opportunity to defend the famous Claret Jug he so valiantly won at Royal Portrush (2019), will hope the event reinvigorates his competitive appetite.

Newly-crowned US Open Champion Jon Rahm, will likely present as tournament favourite; but as history reflects, back-to-back Majors remain the preserve of the few: Arnold Palmer (1960), Tom Watson (1982), Tiger Woods (2000) and Jordan Spieth (2015).

When the Par 70 Links last hosted in 2011; Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke delivered a masterful performance to record a 3-stroke-success over Americans Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

Both of whom remain live contenders a decade on.

Indeed the aforementioned Mickelson, created history earlier this year when securing his second US PGA Title. In so-doing, he usurped the legendary Jack Nicklaus – US Masters (1986); in becoming the oldest winner (aged 50), of a golfing major.

As US Golfers occupy all-but two slots within the current top-ten world rankings; a European success strikes as speculative. But fear not. If anyone can ‘bring-it-home’ for the locals, look no further than the distinctive Tommy Fleetwood.

And as for bona-fide golfing historians; Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre continues to attract the attention of knowledgeable speculators, who view him as an attractive each-way proposition.

The event runs from 15-18 July 2021.

That’s no exaggeration.

The players are arriving ?️‍♂️ @RoyalStGeorges1 is ready ⛳️ The Claret Jug is waiting ?

The 149th Open is here. Follow all the action from our live blog at https://t.co/iOPXLXont0 pic.twitter.com/b5vboBVGpr

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 11, 2021

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