Woods did not play the US Open in order to give his battered body a rest, with the 15-time major winner having made no secret of his desire to play at St Andrews, the scene of two of his three Open victories.
However, the American missed the cut the last time St Andrews hosted the Open in 2015, when torrential rain on Friday and winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour on Saturday meant the championship finished on Monday for just the second time.
Zach Johnson eventually secured his second major title by defeating Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a four-hole play-off, with Spieth missing out by a single shot in his bid to win the third leg of an unprecedented calendar grand slam.
“This is a pretty historic Open that we are going to be playing,” Woods said after rounds of 77 and 74 in the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor, where he was allowed to ride in a cart.
“I’m lucky enough to be part of the past champions that have won there, and I want to play there again, and I don’t know when they are ever going to go back while I’m still able to play at a high I want to be able to give it at least one more run at a high level.”
He sat out the US Open at Brookline – which was won by Matt Fitzpatrick – but hopes taking a break will allow him to meet his playing commitments at both the JP McManus Pro-Am in Limerick on July 4-5 and at St Andrews, with the Open getting under way on July 10.
“I previously informed the USGA that I will not be competing in the US Open as my body needs more time to get stronger for major championship golf,” Woods posted on Twitter.
Telegraph Sport’s golf correspondent James Corrigan described Morikawa as “unbreakable, unmatchable and unbelievable” after he added the Open Championship to the US PGA title he collected in 2020.
If anyone is any doubt about the class of this Californian then consider that he only turned pro in June 2019 and this was only his eight major – and only Bobby Jones has won two quicker.
McIlroy shot a nine-under 63 in the first round of the 2010 Open at St Andrews, before being buffeted by high winds on Friday. His length off the tee makes the Old Course a good match, and McIlroy is enjoying a very consistent 2022. The Northern Irishman ranks first for Strokes Gained Tee to Green on the PGA Tour this season, recently won in Canada and has finished in the top eight at all three majors this season. Just one Claret Jug to his name, won at a receptive Hoylake in 2014 where The Open returns next year.
Last year’s US Open champion has had a fairly quiet season despite a victory in Mexico, bristling at suggestions his putting has let him down. His ball-striking numbers remain top of the class, and is warming to The Open with finishes of T-11 and T-3 in his last two outings. Was prominent in the US Open at Brookline before fading slightly on the final day. Will be well aware that Spaniard Seve Ballesteros claimed one of his three Opens at St Andrews.
Has played stellar golf in 2022 with eight top 10 finishes, including winning his second major at the US PGA Championship in May. His iron play is superb, though his putting can be streaky and the odd destructive drive lurks. No great Open form, but is regarded as a good wind player who can flight his approach shots multiple ways.
No surprises to see the World No 1 and Masters champion so prominent. Has only made one Open appearance, but that produced a T-8 finish at the quirky Royal St George’s last year which bodes well. No significant weaknesses when on song. Scheffler was understandably quiet in the weeks after Augusta but has recorded runner-up finishes at Colonial and the US Open at Brookline.
The defending champion after a stunning performance at Sandwich, Morikawa has endured an underwhelming year in which his short game has not been up to scratch. That enviable iron play remains a strength though, with top-five finishes at the Masters and US Open evidence he can be a big danger on the toughest layouts. St Andrews might not be that penal, though.
His US Open triumph may have been a surprise to casual observers but the Englishman has played superb golf all year, ranking in the top 25 for all Strokes Gained categories on the PGA Tour. Improved distance and running links fairways should not make length a problem, and his chipping and putting is excellent. Like Morikawa, might prefer a more exacting test than a St Andrews course that will yield birdies, weather permitting.
source: Telegraph.co.uk
