HOYLAKE, England — So many players showed up at Augusta National with high hopes for the major championship season. In the 105 days between the opening rounds of the Masters and the British Open, so much hope has given way to a small measure of desperation.
The British Open, which returns to Royal Liverpool for the third time in the last 17 years, is the last chance this year to win a major.
“This is the last major for eight or nine months, and you don’t know what’s happening in 12 months’ time,” Adam Scott said with a wry smile, referring in part to so much chaos in golf with the battle-turned-partnership with Saudi-funded LIV Golf.
“It does go quickly, especially the way our schedule has shifted,” Scott said. “Now this one is ‘Glory’s Last Shot,’ although you can’t use that punch line for The Open Championship. But it is.”
No need reminding Rory McIlroy of that.
Still fresh is the sting from the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club last month, when he trailed by just one shot going to the back nine on the final round and couldn’t convert enough shots to overtake Wyndham Clark.
Even fresher might be getting links soil under his feet and remembering a year ago at St. Andrews when he shared the 54-hole lead, two-putted every hole and watched Cameron Smith outplay him to hoist the silver claret jug.
Rory McIlroy, front, reacts after missing a putt on day three of the Genesis Scottish Open 2023 golf tournament at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Britain, Saturday, July 15, 2023. Credit: AP/Jane Barlow
McIlroy won four out of 15 majors from the 2011 U.S. Open through the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and he has come up empty ever since. It’s a remarkable drought for someone of his talent. He has won 18 times worldwide since his last major.
Throw in the fact McIlroy won his British Open in 2014 at Royal Liverpool, where there’s a forecast of occasional showers throughout the week, and the expectations keep rising.
“I’m as close as I’ve ever been,…
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