ST ANDREWS, Scotland | Looking at the rather capricious weather reports on the eve of the British Open, it is difficult to identify both the eventual champion and the winning score.
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Everything depends on the whims of Mother Nature around the North Sea. For the past few weeks, it has been relatively lenient. This allowed the competition committee to prepare a very firm and incredibly fast Old Course.
This means that whoever lifts the Claret Jug will have to perfectly control their ball and their distances on the 7,313-yard course littered with 112 bunkers. Because when hitting hard ground like the concrete of a highway, the ball does not stop so easily in the aisles.
We can thus predict that the eventual champion should be a veteran or a golfer who is not on his first visit to St Andrews.
Having surveyed him in other tournaments, Rory McIlroy made sparks by signing a 63 (-9) card at the 2010 Open.
Five years later, Australian Marc Leishman lost in extra time. He certainly wants revenge if his putter cooperates.
And Irishman Shane Lowry excels in windy conditions.
Experience, creativity and imagination will be essential qualities on the Old Course.
In fact, only four men managed to win on their first appearance. The last to do so was Tony Lema, beating Jack Nicklaus at the finish line in 1964.
But don't rule out Justin Thomas, guided by none other than veteran cadet Jim "Bones" Mackay, who knows the course like the back of his hand.
Or Xander Schauffele, who won the Scottish Open last week and finished second at the Open at Carnoustie, across the River Tay, in 2018.
Or Scottie Scheffler, who scored a top 10 at Royal St George last year, and Will Zalatoris, who always manages to fight his way into the main draw of a Grand Slam.
Without forgetting Tiger
In short, the suitors are numerous. Even Tiger Woods could surprise on one of his favorite playing fields. He believes in his chances, and his rivals believe he can, without a shadow of a doubt, chase the lead.
If the wind dies down and the rain does not soften the fairways and greens, a winning score of around -15 is predicted. Showers are forecast to drop less than 5mm over the next four days.
Conditions will therefore remain firm and fast for this spectacular 150th Open.
35 years old | Ireland
Presence at the Open: 10th
Best result: Champion 2019
Avg. on par 4 (2022): 3.99 (22nd)
Hit won on the board (2022): 1.615 (8th)
Best round at the Open: 63 (-8) in 2019
29 years old | United States
Presence at the Open: 6th
Best result: 11th (2019)
Avg. on par 4 (2022): 3.93 (1st)
Moy. Oiselets per round: 4,72 (1er)
Avg. putts per hole: 1.701 (3rd)
33 years old | North Ireland
Presence at the Open: 13th
Best result: Champion 2014
Avg. on par 4 (2022): 3.98 (10th)
Average score this season: 68.63 (1st)
Best round at St Andrews: 63 (-9) in 2010
38 years old | Australia
Presence at the Open: 11th
Best result: 2nd (2015)
Avg. on par 4 (2022): 3.99 (22nd)
Avg. putts per round in 2015: 28 (1st)
Best round at St Andrews: 64 (-8) in 2015
