The Open Championship Preview

The 144th Open Championship returns to the Old Course at St. Andrews.  Next to Augusta National Golf Course, it is arguably the most recognizable (even if only by name) golf course in America.   The Open Championship returns to the Old Course every five years. St. Andrews has crowned some of the most legendary names in golf including Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.  In 2010, Louis Oosthuizen lifted the Claret Jug.

The Course

The Telegraph has a terrific hole-by-hole guide so you can refresh your recollection of the Old Course.  B&B's 3 Hole's To Watch:

Hole No. 11
Par 3
174 Yards

No. 11 is the final par 3 at St. Andrews.  It features the Strath Bunker whose most famous victim is Bobby Jones.  Jones, playing in the 1921 Open Championship, could not get his ball out of the bunker.  After four attempts, Jones picked up his ball and walked off of the course.  Of course later on, Jones would win multiple times on the Old Course and would eventually regard it as his favorite course.

Hole No. 17
Par 4
495 Yards

The Road Hole is perhaps the most famous hole at St. Andrews.  Players will take their ball over sheds and seek to avoid the Road Hole bunker.  If the winds pick up, look out.

Hole No. 18
Par 4
357 Yards

The finishing hole at St. Andrews.  The large swale, known as the Valley of Sin, makes for some creative shots regardless of whether the player tries to attack the green from the tee or lays back.


Broadcast Information

ESPN will carry all four rounds of the Open Championship.

• Thursday starting at 4:00 AM EST
• Friday starting at 4:00 AM EST
• Saturday starting at 7:00 AM EST
• Sunday starting at 6:00 AM EST 

Storylines

Expect to hear plenty about the lack of Rory McIlroy at the Open Championship.  He is the defending champion and has been forced to withdraw following an ankle injury while playing soccer (yes we won the Women's World Cup - so now it's SOCCER).  There was a lot of anticipation to see a Rory v. Jordan match-up.  

Speaking of Jordan Spieth, his play will be featured to see if he can capture the third leg of the Grand Slam.  Spieth is arguably the best player on the planet right now and is having an absolutely brilliant 2015 campaign.  In fact, as this post is being drafted, Spieth is currently in the hunt at the John Deere Classic.  

Also, as always, expect lots of coverage of Tiger Woods.  Woods failed to make the cut at the U.S. Open but was able to compete in four rounds at the Greenbrier Classic where he finished T-32.  

Players to Watch

Jordan Spieth

See Above 

Rickie Fowler

Rickie not only won the Players Championship but also won the Scottish Open.  Rickie was the runner-up last year to Rory McIlroy and enjoys playing links style golf.  

Justin Rose

Rose has not made a lot of noise as of late, but Rose has a great history at the Open Championship and has a win this year at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.  This is a total gut feeling pick.