The Open

I am en route for St Andrews as I write for the 150th Open at the home of golf.

What a relief not to be debating and arguing over the LIV series for a few days which dispute is now being fought in the law courts.

Let’s focus on the golf!

The smart money is on Jordan Spieth but it’s been five years since he last won the Open.

Collin Morikawa, who won 2 Majors last year, is the favourite but his tight iron play may be of less of an asset if – as suspected- hot weather and no wind renders the Old Course benign, which may allow the power hitting sluggers to dominate.

Rory McIlroy is strongly fancied for this reason but it’s been as long ago as 2014 that he last played 4 winning rounds to win a Major.

On the basis that I backed him for the Scottish Open last week I’m putting the Pargie tenner on Will Zalatoris at generous odds.

Shane Lowry is another who’s fancied but again his strong point is his touch and short game, not power hitting.

Even though the conditions will be less testing, the wily old Course can still ensnare the best with its greens, bunkers and the famous but tricky 17th – the “Road Hole”.

It’s the Open and who can forget Doug Sanders missing from 4 feet at St. Andrews, or Van der Veld in the brook at Carnoustie and playing his sunken ball with Peter Alliss aghast?

Can’t wait!