Andrew Coltart exclusive
Sky Sports Golf Analyst Andrew Coltart believes it could be a successful couple of weeks for Rory McIlroy in Scotland. “The home crowd back there will hopefully carry him and will help heal some of those wounds”, said Coltart. “I think Rory is a lot more matured now, Rory realises the importance of the test and I think possibly Royal Troon could suit him”, said Coltart. This year’s Open Championship will be the first edition to be hosted at Royal Troon since 2016 were McIlroy finished tied fifth. “It tends to be nine holes out one way, nine holes back give or take a little twist round at the bottom but the wind would be predominantly be off the left on the way home and he could use that with his natural draw shape to hold the ball up against the wind & attack some of the flagsticks”, said Sky Sports Golf Analyst.
McIlroy played with Scottie Scheffler at this year’s Masters & US Open and the Northern Irishman will need to bring a perfect game to Royal Troon. “I think the most impressive thing about Scottie Scheffler’s game is Bogey Avoidance he doesn’t carelessly throw shots away right, left and centre”, said Coltart. “Scheffler is very good off the tee, a very good iron player, a very calm mind and now he has created a aura”, said Coltart. Scheffler recorded six victories in 2024 before July 1st and only the second golfer to do that since Arnold Palmer in 1962.
The divide in professional golf between PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund continues to rumble on as LIV Tour members are only allowed to participate in a major championship. “People want to see the best players in the world play together, I think we are still a little ways off from that happening but none the less I think the golfing public are demanding that those discussions come to an agreement”, said Coltart. “The great thing is they are talking should have been talking from the off you know at some point I’m confident that an agreement will be reached I don’t know really how close we are to that but the ball is continuing to get kicked further down the road”, said Coltart. The final round of recent DP World Tour KLM Open was delayed due to protests. “I think in society these interruptions seem to be expanding throughout the course of our lives, they seem to come more regular and it’s something that every organising body certainly has to prepare for”, said Sky Sports Golf Analyst.
Padraig Harrington won three majors including two Open Championships and was recently inducted into Hall of Fame. “Not really because the boy can still play Padraig is an incredible golfer a prolific practicer”, said Coltart. “Padraig keeps himself fit, subtle, he can still compete and a great scrapper that’s an asset that a lot of people can learn from”, said Coltart. Harrington will be participating in Genesis Scottish Open and The 152nd Open Championship which can be watched exclusively live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Golf and via a NOW subscription.