Will Zalatoris has issued his verdict on Royal Troon after playing a practice round at the South Ayrshire course ahead of The Open Championship.
All eyes are now on The Open Championship at Royal Troon, with the world’s best preparing to tackle the final major of the year. It is the first time the event has been held at the course since 2016 when Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson had that famous duel on Sunday.
Some, of course, have prepared for the event by playing in the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, with Robert MacIntyre going one better than last year and triumphing on Sunday.
But others have headed straight to Royal Troon, with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay and Keegan Bradley amongst those who have already taken to the course.
Will Zalatoris is another, with the 27-year-old – who missed the cut in North Berwick – looking to end a turbulent year on a high after missing every major in 2023 due to injury. He finished inside the top 10 at The Masters, before making the cut at the PGA Championship.
Will Zalatoris issues verdict on Royal Troon ahead of The Open Championship
He has actually not finished in the top 25 in his two appearances at The Open so far, but speaking to Golf Channel, he suggested that he is excited to get the chance to play Troon this week.
“You almost have three different golf courses in one. You get the first six, seven holes where some guys might take driver and challenge it, the bigger hitters might try and knock it around the green. You get your looks, you’re going straight down wind in a prevailing wind,” he said.
“And then, really once you get to 10 through 14, you’re back in the gorse, there’s really not many bunkers, you really have to drive it straight, big penalty for missing fairways and then the last five, six holes coming in are very long and back into the wind, and fairly wide off the tee.
“Like I said, it’s just three different golf courses, downwind starting off your round, three par fours that are under 400 yards where you’re hitting iron, wedge. And there’s holes coming back in where you’re hitting driver, five iron.
“It’s one of my favourites I’ve ever played, it’s a really special golf course. Yesterday was our first day playing here and it’s phenomenal.”
Dramatic upturn in form required this week
It would be fantastic to see Zalatoris in contention at The Open, because injuries really do appear to have halted his progress over the last couple of years.
Unfortunately, his performances in recent months have been underwhelming, with the youngster yet to finish inside the top 40 since The Masters in April.
But The Open can throw up some real surprises, with Todd Hamilton winning at Royal Troon 20 years ago. So perhaps his love for the course could inspire a dramatic upturn in form this week.
If everything clicks for Zalatoris, and he can find a way to putt well, he could be an outside contender for someone to really watch this week.
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