Europe captain Luke Donald has praised Robert MacIntyre’s stellar Ryder Cup debut, stating that it gave MacIntyre the belief that he can “handle anything.” MacIntyre won two and a half points from three matches in Rome last year, including a singles victory over US Open champion Wyndham Clark. Since then, MacIntyre has gone on to win his first PGA Tour title in the RBC Canadian Open and produced a stunning finish to win the Genesis Scottish Open title.
Donald believes MacIntyre’s recent success, particularly at the Ryder Cup, showcases his grit and determination. MacIntyre faced tough competition at the Ryder Cup, but he kept grinding and finding ways to perform at his best. Donald believes that MacIntyre’s experience at the Ryder Cup has helped him handle pressure in various situations and can continue to perform at a high level.
MacIntyre is set to kick off his Open campaign shortly after 9.30am alongside Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood. They will be followed by US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. World number two Rory McIlroy, who narrowly missed out on winning the US Open, will tee off shortly after 10am alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Max Homa. Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler are among the later starters.
This year, Royal Troon for the Open Championship will measure 7,385 yards, 195 more than when Henrik Stenson lifted the Claret Jug in 2016. The par-five sixth has gained an additional 22 yards, making it the longest hole on the Open rota at 623 yards. The shortest hole, the 123-yard Postage Stamp with its Coffin Bunker, comes two holes later.
MacIntyre arrives at the Open on the back of a victory in the Genesis Scottish Open, while McIlroy rebounded from his US Open disappointment with a tie for fourth. World number one Scheffler will be competing for the first time since his sixth win of the season in the Travelers Championship on June 23. DeChambeau, seeking back-to-back major wins, has had top 10 finishes in two LIV events following his US Open win.
Key tee times include Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, and Robert MacIntyre teeing off at 0936, followed by Bryson DeChambeau and others. Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, and Tyrrell Hatton will tee off at 1009, while Tiger Woods, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay are scheduled for 1437. Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and Cameron Young will tee off at 1510.
The weather forecast for the Open Championship predicts cloudy skies with outbreaks of mainly light rain or drizzle throughout the day. It will become breezy with a chance of longer periods of rain and drizzle developing in the late afternoon. Winds from the south or SSE are expected at 12-15 mph, gusting up to 20-25 mph, with the strongest winds in the early afternoon.
