The Open Month

The Open Month

Last weekend saw the start of a run of Open Championships that take place throughout July. The Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club was a great success with Spaniard Jon Rahm proving that he had quickly adapted to playing links golf. Before the event you would never have guessed that the winning score would be 24 under par around what is a very challenging golf course. The weather was reasonably kind however, and Rahm showed why he has made it into the Worlds top ten with an outstanding display of golf.

Today sees the start of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open held at the Dundonald Links and it’s a fairly safe bet that the winning score wont be anywhere as low as last weeks, despite having a top class field playing there. On current form the American Rickie Fowler is probably the top attraction and it will be interesting to see if former World number one Rory McIlroy can get himself into any sort of form prior to next weeks Open Championship. The course is situated near the town of Leven on the west coast of Scotland and at 7100 yards with a par of 72 it will provide a stiff challenge to the regular PGA European Tour players as well as the numerous overseas players warming up for next weeks big event.

Next week sees the start of The 2017 Open Championship played at arguably the best Open venue Royal Birkdale. This magnificent course is the perfect test for golf’s oldest major and the winner will deserve to be called the Champion golfer of the year. It will be difficult to match last year’s epic Sunday duel between Phil Mickelson and the winner Henrik Stenson but whoever is battling it out on the Sunday, the final few holes will be a real challenge for those in contention. The second shot to the 18^th green with the iconic white clubhouse standing guard is one of the toughest finishing shots in golf, especially under the immense pressure that the leaders in an Open Championship field experience. A great week looks in prospect.

Finally starting on the 27^th July there is the Porsche European Open held at the Green Eagle course near Hamburg Germany. This is the longest course on the European Tour at nearly 7900 yards and with huge lakes spectacular bunkers it will present a real challenge to the competitors. Top Americans Patrick Reed and Major winner Jimmy Walker are among the entries and as they are playing the toughest course in Germany it will be fascinating to see how they perform.

July is truly an outstanding month for golf with 3 Opens played on Links courses and then  followed by one of Europes toughest challenges its an absolute treat for golf fans.