Can Rory McIlroy find inspiration? Key talking points ahead of the 154th Open

Here, the Press Association looks at some of the issues ahead of the final major of the year visiting Southport.

Can McIlroy find inspiration from ‘home’ major

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After successfully defending his Masters title in April, Rory McIlroy’s major performances have dwindled with a joint-seventh at the US PGA followed by a tie for 32nd at the US Open. He is not that far away in terms of form – he was let down by the way he played just six holes at Shinnecock Hills last month – and three top-seven finishes in his last four Open starts, with his only Claret Jug coming at nearby Royal Liverpool in 2014, he will be boosted by fervent home support.

DeChambeau in danger of unwanted grand slam

American Bryson DeChambeau arrives at Birkdale trying to avoid the ignominious record of missing the cut in all four majors for the first time in his career. He is already on his worst run in a calendar year – only once since he was eligible for all four majors in 2018 has he failed to play the weekend in more than one major – but his game does not look anywhere close to his best. Being a LIV golfer has not helped as his only competitive action in the five weeks prior to the Open was last month at Shinnecock Hills where he failed to break par in his two rounds.

Scheffler to defend?

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World number one Scottie Scheffler is bidding to become the first man to successfully defend his Open title since Padraig Harrington, coincidentally at Birkdale, in 2008. Only 16 players have gone back-to-back in the event’s long history but the American’s major finishes this season (joint second at the Masters, 14th at the US PGA and tied fourth at the US Open) suggest he is in with a chance as he has competed without being on top form.

New-look Birkdale presents greater challenge

Five holes have been changed since the Open last visited in 2017, the most significant being a redesign on the back nine which has seen the old 15th hole become the 14th with a few tweaks and a completely new 15th. The 241-yard hole, still only the third-longest par three in Open history, will play predominantly downwind with a narrow entry, bunkers to the left and large run-off to the right. “Getting the ball to stop on the green could be difficult as the wind gets up. It does want to run away from you. There could be big moments here,” said Birkdale head professional Gregg Pettersen.

England expects – again

Sir Nick Faldo in 1992 remains the last Englishman to win the Open. There are currently 13 Englishmen in the field, led by major winners Aaron Rai – the newly-crowned US PGA champion – Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick. Southport’s Tommy Fleetwood, back on home soil, and his Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton could also be considered contenders. Of those Rose has been the most consistent in majors this year, having not finished lower than 11th, although Hatton has two top-sevens and a missed cut while Rai finished 11th in last month’s US Open.