Others

Rory McIlroy, the world's number two golfer, is determined to overcome the disappointment of his near-miss at the US Open and claim victory at the British Open, which begins on Thursday at Troon. McIlroy's heartbreaking loss at Pinehurst, where he missed two short putts on the final two holes, has fueled his motivation to add to his sole British Open triumph in 2014.Despite his recent struggles on links courses, world number one Scottie Scheffler remains the favorite to win. Scheffler has enjoyed a remarkable season, winning six times in 14 starts, including the Masters in April. However, he will need to adapt his game to the windy conditions at Troon, which have historically favored older players.Bryson DeChambeau, who won the US Open, will also be a contender. DeChambeau has recognized the need to adjust his game for links golf and has been practicing on similar courses in preparation.Tiger Woods, a three-time British Open winner, will make his return to the tournament after missing last year's event. Despite his limited playing time since a serious car accident in 2021, Woods believes the links course conditions give him a better chance to compete.The field will be battling for a prize pot worth $17.5 million, with the winner receiving $3.1 million. Fans can expect an exciting tournament, as the last Open played at Troon in 2016 saw Henrik Stenson outgun Phil Mickelson in a Sunday shootout.

Bryson DeChambeau's relentless assault on Augusta National Golf Club continued in the opening round of the 88th Masters Tournament. The enigmatic golfer unleashed a near-perfect performance, carding a seven-under 65 to seize the solo lead.DeChambeau's dominance was evident from the outset, as he unleashed a barrage of 12 drives exceeding 300 yards. His Krank driver and Avoda irons, unique to his arsenal, proved to be formidable weapons. Despite swirling winds, he hit 15 out of 18 greens in regulation.The world No. 210, who has been rapidly descending in the rankings since joining LIV Golf, displayed his recent resurgence. After a challenging period last year, he has notched two victories on the breakaway tour. His sizzling form has carried over to the Masters, where he opened with three consecutive birdies and closed with five more in his final seven holes.DeChambeau's performance was not solely attributed to brute force. He showcased deft long-range putts and remarkable recovery shots. His sliced second shot from the pine straws on the par-5 15th, which nearly resulted in an eagle, drew gasps from the patrons.Known as "the Scientist" for his scientific approach to golf, DeChambeau has recently become obsessed with robotics. His pursuit of a repeatable swing, the cornerstone of a great golf swing, was evident throughout his round.However, DeChambeau acknowledged the challenges posed by the ever-changing conditions. "Trying to be a robot is always something I've tried to do, but it's not feasible in this game," he said. "This wind out here just makes it diabolical."Despite his polarizing nature, DeChambeau remains a passionate advocate for the game. He has recently embraced content creation on YouTube, aiming to inspire and grow the sport.