2022 Open Championship storylines

The world's oldest golf tournament (first held in 1860 at Scotland's Prestwick Golf Club) still looks pretty good for 150. In fact, despite all the changes -- good or bad -- that golf has undergone for a century-and-a-half, one of the true constants remains the Open Championship (known in the United States as the British Open). Mainly because of the history, traditions, and respect that tags along. This might be the one tournament that every golfer, from around the globe, with a true appreciation for the game, strives to win more than any other tournament on the planet. This year, perhaps, that's the case more than ever.

It's fitting that another historic installment of the Open Championship will be played on St Andrews' legendary Old Course. Prestwick might have played host to the first 12 Opens, but no track has done so more than the Old Course -- which checks the box a 29th time in 2022. St Andrews first hosted in 1873, when the United Kingdom's Tom Kidd was crowned champion. Meanwhile, American Zach Johnson won the most recent Open there, in a playoff, in 2015. Other legendary St Andrews' Open champions include Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, John Daly, and Tiger Woods. The course also hosted the 50th and 75th versions of the Open Championship. 

Jack Nicklaus has been a major part of St Andrews' history. The Golden Bear posted two of his three Open Championship victories on the Old Course and played his final major tournament there in 2005. Nicklaus, 82, claimed he would never return as to not take away from the impact of his '05 appearance. But, during tournament week, Nicklaus will receive honorary citizenship at St Andrew's, so he'll return to the scene of many memories he made over the years and perhaps make a few more. 

The Old Course has undergone its share of renovations since golf was first played there during the early 15th century. However, there won't be much difference in the look and layout of St Andrews this year from when it last hosted the event. St Andrews director of greenkeeping Sandy Reid told Today's Golfer: "Apart from rebuilding and revetting all 78 bunkers and adding a newish 8th tee, which was used in the 2018 Senior Open, the course will be no different to what it was in 2015...If anything, the fairways are probably more generous, but all being well, the rough will be thick enough to persuade players not to deliberately hit into it."

Back in 2015, Zach Johnson won the Open at St. Andrews with a finish of 15-under par. In 2010, Louis Oosthuizen won at 16 under, while Tiger Woods tamed the Old Course for a combined 33 under during his victories there in 2000 and 2005. So, if there aren't many changes made to the track this season, then the concern by some golfers, such as Jordan Spieth, is that the course might play too easy. That's understandable, especially if the weather -- notably the wind -- doesn't have an impact on the tournament.

While the continued COVID-19 pandemic has forced the PGA and LPGA Tours to cancel upcoming events in China, Scotland and St Andrews are full-go when it comes to playing without player and spectator restrictions this month. Professional golf, much like the rest of the major sports leagues in North America and Europe, has fared relatively well when it comes to limiting or not seeing severe COVID issues over the last year. Let's keep our fingers crossed that remains the case.

However, for those fortunate enough to attend this year's tournament, getting to the Old Course might present a challenge for some. One of the more notable, non-golf, pre-tournament stories is St Andrews telling ticketed spectators not to travel to the Old Course by train. Specifically via ScotRail, because of a limited timetable of trains due to the company's dispute with the rail drivers. The Royal and Ancient have encouraged other means of transportation as an option. However, this situation can cause possible congestion issues in and around St Andrews, where an estimated 290,000 are expected to attend the week's practice and championship rounds.

For those in the United States planning to watch Open Championship coverage from the comfort of home or via their favorite mobile device, it won't be too hard to find. The Golf Channel will handle live first- and second-round coverage on Thursday and Friday, 4 a.m.-3 p.m. (ET) each day. On Saturday, the Golf Channel will televise the action from 5 a.m.-7 a.m. (ET), then NBC takes over 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (ET). Sunday's final round begins on the Golf Channel, which broadcasts the action live from 4 a.m.-7 a.m. (ET), when NBC finishes it out until approximately 2 p.m. Meanwhile, fuboTV will show the entire tournament.

Whether watching on the hallowed track of the Old Course or from your couch, plenty of eyes will be on Tiger Woods. That's assuming the three-time Open Championship winner will be in the field. As of July 7, Woods seemed set to be part of the field, and St Andrews is a big reason why. He's won twice at the Old Course (2000, '05). However, Woods hasn't played in the event since 2019 and withdrew from this year's PGA Championship, and placed 47th at the Masters. Golf fans would love to see Woods in action at St. Andrews, but a weekend stay might be a tall order.

Success on the Old Course is not limited to Woods when talking American golfers. Four of the last five Open champions at St. Andrews have hailed from the United States. Before Woods' victories there in 2000 and 2005, John Daly won his second major championship at St. Andrews in 1995. Zach Johnson, the pride of Iowa City, won the most recent Open at St. Andrews, outlasting Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a four-hole playoff. 

Speaking of Americans, Collin Morikawa will try to become the first U.S. golfer since Woods in 2005 and '06 to repeat as Open champion. Padraig Harrington, from 2007 and '08, was the last golfer overall to win back-to-back Open Championships. Though repeating this stage is a serious challenge, Morikawa is quite the cool customer for 25-years old. Among the top-5 ranked golfers in the world (as of July 3), Morikawa hasn't won since his Open triumph at Royal St George's. However, Morikawa has finished inside the top 8 in five of his last six majors.

Aside from the historical aspect of this year's tournament and Woods' participation, the cloud of LIV Golf continues to hang over the PGA Tour -- and essentially all of the sport. But, while the PGA Tour has shunned the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is allowing those defectors to LIV Golf to play in this year's Open Championship. Meaning, DJ, Brooks, and Bryson get the chance to compete for a major when that might not be possible at the other three such events at some point down the road.

As of July 7, and according to DraftKings, the aforementioned Mickelson held 150-1 odds to hoist his second Claret Jug. For those who like throwing away even the smallest amount of their hard-earned cash should feel free. Mickelson likely won't be a factor on the Old Course after he miserably missed the cut at the U.S. Open last month. That said, if Lefty, indeed, is in the field 2022 Open Championship field, he will be a story. Likely for his decision to leave the PGA for the riches of LIV Golf.

While Phil Mickelson is a significant long shot, Rory McIlroy currently sits as the betting favorite, according to DraftKings, at 9-1. He's the No. 2-ranked golfer in the world and won the Open Championship in 2014 at Royal Liverpool. McIlroy is also the consummate professional who has the proper attitude to handle the pressure of these major moments. A four-time major champion, McIlroy finished second at this year's Masters, eighth at the PGA Championship, and tied for fifth at last month's U.S. Open. However, he missed the cut at the Open Championship in 2019, and tied for 46th last year.

McIlroy might be the pre-tournament oddsmakers' choice, but there are several likely contenders to keep an eye on at St Andrews. Like the world's No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler, who might also be the most confident golfer on the planet. The reigning Masters champion sits atop the PGA Tour's Official Money List with more than $13 million in earnings. He also made some noise on Sunday to finish second at last month's U.S. Open. Scheffler's finished among the top 8 in six of his last eight major starts, including a T8 in his Open Championship debut from 2021.

Scheffler tied for second at the U.S. Open with Will Zalatoris, who is becoming "Mr. Almost" when it comes to major tournament success. Zalatoris, who will turn 26 in August, is certainly someone worth keeping an eye on at St. Andrews. Though he hasn't won an event on the PGA Tour, Zalatoris owns six top-10 finishes in nine major starts. In addition to his stellar run at the U.S. Open, Zalatoris tied for sixth at the Masters and was also second at the PGA Championship this year.

Zalatoris' Sunday dual Matthew Fitzpatrick at the U.S. Open was highly entertaining. Fitzpatrick prevailed to win and took his game to a new level after taming Brookline last month. The Englishman, who will turn 28 in September, must be taken seriously at St Andrews. Fitzpatrick also tied for fifth at the PGA Championship in May, so it seems he's in the proper frame of mind when it comes to playing at a high level. For now, we'll overlook the fact that Fitzpatrick did not finish in the top 10 in any of his six Open Championship starts.

OK, we've talked about the favorites, but what about the sleepers? Maybe some under-the-radar golfers or popular long shots that might surprise on the Old Course in 2022. How about Tony Finau? Perhaps the golf world has forgotten him, but he's posted two top-10 finishes in the last three Open Championships, and tied for 15th last year. The major monkey might still be on Finau's back, but the public pressure seems to be subsiding. So, maybe his major moment of triumph is now. When it comes to underdogs, Finau tops our list.