In a week where England look to end their 60-year wait for World Cup glory, the nation’s golfers also aim break their own lengthy winless run at The Open.
It seems remarkable to think that since Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick to beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, only two different golfers from England – Tony Jacklin and Sir Nick Faldo – have won golf’s oldest major.
Jacklin’s win came in 1969 and the last of Faldo’s three Open titles came in 1992, leaving the 21 Englishmen in action at Royal Birkdale looking to become the first Champion Golfer of the Year from England in 34 years.
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Sky Sports’ Paul McGinley explains how he draws comparisons between England’s World Cup side and Team Europe’s Ryder Cup team
There’s an argument this is one of the strongest chances yet for the drought to be stopped in the Southport sunshine, with Matt Fitzpatrick a three-time winner this season, Tommy Fleetwood returning to his hometown course and Aaron Rai arriving as a reigning major champion.
That’s without Tyrrell Hatton’s improving major form and Justin Rose being back at the venue where his career was launched as a 17-year-old amateur in the 1998 edition, with Alex Fitzpatrick also arriving after an impressive start to his PGA Tour career.
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Justin Rose looked back at his career highs and lows during his press conference ahead this week’s Open at Royal Birkdale
England’s World Cup future will have already been decided when The Open gets under way at 6.35am on Thursday morning, with the semi-final against Argentina on the eve of the tournament leaving players facing difficult decisions about their final major preparation.
“I was kind of hoping for a later tee time,” Rose admitted in his press conference, ahead of a 9.36am start on Thursday. “I’d take a win on penalties if it happened, but obviously we’re looking for a short, sharp match and a reasonable bedtime.
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Justin Rose reflects on where it all began for him at Royal Birkdale in 1998 ahead of The Open returning to the iconic venue
“Obviously we’re going to be watching but, at the same time, I’m going to watch it with an eye on what’s important for me as well. Not get too high and low and keep my own emotions in check.
“We’ve got big things as well to do this week, but at the same time, it’s a match where if you think that you’re not going to watch it, you’re probably kidding yourself. I’ll be rooting the boys on, but trying to make sure I’m able to rest up pretty soon after the match.”
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Harry Kane joined the Sky Sports team at the Open Zone back in 2018 before The Open at Carnoustie
Matt Fitzpatrick has been given his pre-tournament wish of a late-early draw to enable him to watch England, teeing off alongside Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele at 3.15pm, although his younger brother Alex Fitzpatrick has been handed an early-morning start.
“I’m probably watching it at my house but I’m also teeing off at 7.19am, so I don’t really know what I’m going to do!” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve probably got to stay up and watch it haven’t I, but at the same time it’s an Open and I should probably focus a bit more!
“I think if we can mark the little man (Lionel Messi) off the pitch somehow, we might have a chance, but it’ll be great. The lads have done amazing so far, it has been so fun to watch and I wish the World Cup wasn’t every four years.
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The best and worst of current and former football stars in The Open Zone. Players include Gareth Bale, Harry Kane, Jamie Redknapp, Kenny Dalglish, Jordan Pickford, Scott Brown and Jay Bothroyd
“It has been unbelievable – [Harry] Kane and [Jude] Bellingham have been amazing and everyone has had a part to play. They’ve done an incredible job so far and hopefully they can bring it home.”
Hatton admitted he feels more positive about England’s World Cup hopes over his own success, despite having two top-seven finishes in majors this year, with the world No 22 and Liverpool fan cautiously optimistic that they will reach the final.
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A reminder of where and when England’s semi-final against Argentina takes place and, if they get that far, when to make a note in your diary for the final
“I think it will be a good game and hopefully England win to get through, then I guess everyone will be saying ‘it’s coming home’ a little bit more,” Hatton told Sky Sports. “Bellingham has been amazing and Kane has been incredible as well, so hopefully those guys continue the form they’re in.
“We’re all maybe secretly positive and nervous but hopefully they can get the job done.”
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One of the few players in action hoping for a different result is Latin America Amateur Championship champion Mateo Pulcini, the only Argentine player in the field, who is contemplating a special celebration should his home country reach the final.
“We’re already thinking about our plan for Thursday – if we [Argentina] win, I need to ask the R&A if I can do some stuff,” Pulcini told Sky Sports. “As soon as we won [the quarter-final], all my friends were sending me texts: ‘Ah, you’re in England, you have to do something if we win!’
“The team, the effort they put in, it’s unbelievable. They make the Argentina population very happy and it’s great. Argentina are winning 2-1 – no penalty shootout as Messi isn’t good in that aspect. In everything else, he’s the GOAT.”
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Mateo Pulcini spoke to Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir and gave his prediction on the World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina
A great Sunday ahead for English sport?
Victory for England would see them progress to Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium, with the final putt of The Open currently scheduled – as things stand – for around 90 minutes before kick-off in New Jersey.
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said in April that they would ‘try and avoid that clash wherever possible’ between the two marquee events, with his pre-tournament press conference likely to be filled with questions over reports that tee times may be changed slightly if England make the final.
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Tommy Fleetwood says playing The Open at Birkdale in his hometown of Southport is a ‘dream opportunity’ to claim a maiden major win
“That [Sunday] would be a great day,” Fleetwood said. “The lads have been doing great. It’s been great to watch. The World Cup’s not easy. I think they’ve done really well and they continue to win, which is all you can do in those World Cup matches.
“For those guys, they definitely carry a nation on their shoulders a lot more than we do. They’ve been doing a great job, and it’s great to have them in the semi-finals again. We’re a great team, so it’s great to watch and great to have that positive hope.”
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Team GB’s gold medal haul on ‘Super Saturday’ at the London 2012 Olympics was a historic day in British sport, as was the Sunday in July 2019 where England won the 50-over World Cup while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer provided an epic Wimbledon final.
An Englishman being crowned Champion Golfer of the Year on Sunday evening, ahead of a potential England World Cup final victory, could beat the lot. Will both be ‘coming home’? Most of the record-breaking crowds at Royal Birkdale this week will hope so!
When is The Open live on Sky Sports?
Sky Sports is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with wall-to-wall action from the final men’s major of the year getting under way at 6.30am on Thursday on Sky Sports Golf.
There will be at least 15 hours of action on both the first two rounds, with bonus feeds available on Sky Sports+ or the Sky Sports App, with extended coverage then starting at 9am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.