RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: Can Rory McIlroy bounce back from his US Open collapse at British Open?

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: Can Rory McIlroy bounce back from his US Open collapse and stop American golfers winning a clean sweep of the majors for the first time since 1982? The 152nd Open Championship takes place at Royal Troon Golf Club this week McIlroy collapsed at the US Open but will hope to finally end his major drought By Riath Al-samarrai Published: 22:35 BST, 17 July 2024 | Updated: 22:44 BST, 17 July 2024 e-mail View comments For a sport obsessed with history and nodding to the years gone by, a rare chance will present itself when the 152nd Open Championship commences at 6.35am this morning. That will be the point when Justin Leonard, the 1997 champion around these Ayrshire links, steps forward to swing the first drive.

The mystery is whether one of his fellow Americans will add their name to his on the Claret Jug come Sunday. If they do, it will also be the first time since 1982 that golfers from the United States have completed a clean sweep of the majors. Scottie Scheffler , Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau have taken home the Masters , the USPGA Championship and the US Open, and there is only the oldest and grandest of the bunch still to play for in 2024.

It will therefore be a source of some intrigue when Scheffler makes the same walk as Leonard at 3.10pm and takes in that arresting view across the Firth Of Clyde. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the 13th hole during a practice round prior to The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon The Northern Iri.