In golf you say “The Open” and you've already said it all, because it's the number one challenge. And this year, which is played at the parent company on the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, is a legend before it even begins. The edition that takes place from Thursday to Sunday is the 144th, the money at stake is 9,2 million dollars, the players on the field 156. For each of them the Open Championship is a dream, indeed a dream.
Even for Jordan Spieth, the man of the moment, the blond capable of every comeback, who has already won the first two majors of the season and is ready to conquer the world leadership. Even for Rory McIlroy, reigning champion, who will have to watch the show from the sofa, due to a rupture of ligaments in his left ankle during a soccer match in Belfast. Even for Tiger Woods, who already has three Claret Jugs on his bulletin board, two of which he won right on the Old Course.
Even for them, let alone for all the others, like our three musketeers: Francesco Molinari, Edoardo Molinari and Matteo Manassero. It is the third time that these Azzurri have participated simultaneously in the tournament, after the editions of 2011 and 2014. Last year they all finished in the top ranking: Edoardo Molinari seventh, Francesco Molinari 15th and Matteo Manassero 19th. The former will be present for the sixth time, including the two as an amateur, the others for the eighth and fifth respectively. The fittest is certainly Francesco, number 42 in the world, a perfect game, always one meter from the top, unfortunately that of the last putt.
Expectations, however, are all for Spieth: if he also wins the "British Open", the 22-year-old Texan could aspire to close the circle of the grand slam in mid-August with the PGA, a feat achieved only by Bobby Jones in 1930. To some extent, everyone the spectators are rooting for him, because nothing is more beautiful than uniting the myth with the legend. And Jordan, with a success on the Old Course would surely become a legend, able to surpass even Tiger. His only handicap may be the time difference, as he arrived in Scotland at the last minute, but on his side he has victory at the John Deere Classic, a success that has further strengthened his inner confidence.
The hearts of the public will also beat for Woods, who wants to play, who doesn't feel old, who is convinced he can still beat Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors. It's hard to believe him, given this year's results, but we're talking about dreams and you can't tackle a game like golf by letting your imagination run wild.
Another star of the highly anticipated tour is Rickie Fowler, winner of the Scottish Open last week. After the success at The Players, something unlocked in the mind of this splendid young player, who found the right rhythm for victory and who now occupies fifth place in the world order of merit.
The Old Course won't give anyone discounts, there will be a fight with the wind and the rain, with the bunkers and the greens, but everyone will have their chance: from Patrick Reed and Keegan Bradley, from Justin Rose, to Martin Kaymer, from Adam Scott to Jason Day, from Henrik Stenson to Sergio Garcia, from Hideki Matsuyama to Dustin Johnson, from Luke Donald to Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, without forgetting Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen and Padraig Harrington.
On the most famous bridge in golf two great old men like Tom Watson and Nick Faldo will bid farewell to the scene and there will even be moved.
In short, it is worth to be there or at least to follow this great show. Live on Sky Sport from morning to evening, from Thursday to Sunday.
