2022 British Open: The fans’ rooting interest, the ever-lurking Road Hole among five things to consider heading into Sunday

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – There are a lot of things one can learn spending the day – and the evening – in this ancient seaside village.

Three of the four seasons can come for a visit. Hearing the sounds of golf spikes hitting concrete throughout the city puts a smile on your face. If you can’t find a suitable pub or restaurant, you’re in the wrong city.

And The Old Course in the middle of the Auld Grey Toun is a never-ending puzzle that has stood the test of time and continues to baffle the best players in the world. This week in the 150^th Open Championship is just the latest example proving that.

Here are some things to consider heading into Sunday’s final round in the chase for the Claret Jug.

BRITISH OPEN: Scores

Rory McIlroy is king

The former Boy Wonder from Holywood, Northern Ireland, is the undisputed fan favorite among the massive galleries rimming The Old Course. From children to seniors, the encouraging chants follow him from the practice ground and then around all 18 holes of St. Andrews. When he holed out from a pot bunker from 30 yards for eagle on the 12^th in the third round, the roars could be heard far out into the North Sea.

The spectators understand McIlroy hasn’t added to his collection of four major triumphs for eight years now. They understand he was clearly the best player in the world in 2015 but he was denied a chance to prove it in The Open at St. Andrews when he wrecked his ankle playing futbol and couldn’t play.

They understand he is a thoughtful, likeable, approachable player who deserves their loudest approval. And they see he’s tied for the lead with the final round to go, sharing it with Viktor Hovland, one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet but will be the “nice” villain on Sunday.

The Road Hole will be Sunday’s biggest hazard

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy plays his ball from close to the wall on the 17th hole during his third round on day 3 of The 150th British Open Golf Championship on The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland on July 16, 2022. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The tee shot has to go over a hotel, a deep bunker pot greenside must be avoided and by all means do not go over the thin green or you will have to tangle with a road and a brick wall. Other than that, the par-4, 495-yard 17^th is a piece of cake. Joking aside, the hole – as it was in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 when The Open was held on The Old Course – is the toughest hole on the grounds. There have been all of 18 birdies all week on the hole.

Much like the island green at the par-3 17^th at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, the Road Hole lives in the players’ heads and is on their minds from the first tee forward.

More on the Road Hole: Pros dish on the 17th

Make your hay early

Going outward on The Old Course has been a much easier journey than when players turn around and come back to the 18^th hole. The ninth hole has played as the second easiest this week, the fifth the third easiest, the 10^th the fifth easiest, the third the seventh easiest, the seventh the eighth easiest and the first the ninth easiest. Get the picture?

Through three rounds of the 150^th Open, the fourth and the second have offered the most resistance to red numbers among the first 11 holes (the fourth ranks as the third toughest hole, the second the sixth toughest hole). The two are the only holes in the first 10 that have played over par this week. Basically, the players will tell you the first, third, fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and 10^th are getable, especially the par-5 fifth, where players are hitting 8-irons or lower for their second shots, the drivable par-4 seventh and the drivable par-4 ninth.

Birdie the final hole

Xander Schauffele tees off on the 18th hole during the second round of the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

The drivable, par-4, 350-yard closer has been a pushover this week, even with the Valley of Sin guarding the green. The 18^th has played nearly a half a shot below its par. There have been only two double bogeys or worse on the easiest hole on The Old Course the entire week. It has yielded 195 birdies – 16 more than the drivable par-4 ninth, which is playing as the second easiest hole. The punishing Road Hole and the benevolent 18^th will combine for a must-see, 1-2 punch at the end of The Open.

Never give up

Kevin Kisner of the United States putts on the 17th green during Day Three of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 16, 2022, in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Kevin Kisner made a 5-footer for birdie on his final hole Friday to make the cut on the number and then went out with Trey Mullinax in the day’s first two-ball on Saturday. Kisner, who finished runner-up in the 2018 Open Championship at Carnoustie, was tied for 66^th. But he began his day in brilliant sunshine and with three birdies, then added two more at Nos. 5 and 6. Dropped a 100-foot bomb on the eighth for another birdie, added three more on the back nine and shot 65.

That shot him up more than 50 spots on the leaderboard. At 7 under, he’s in a tie for 13^th heading into Sunday’s final round.

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