[The Open] Woods' 'Major Declaration', Morikawa's 'Title Defense', What About 'Mock Exam 3rd Place' Kim Juhyung?

2022 Season Final Major 150th The Open: World No.1 Schauffele and Global Stars Assemble, Johnson and Others Join 'LIV Golf'

‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods is practicing ahead of the 150th Open, the final major of the 2022 season. St Andrews (Scotland) = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "My legs feel stronger."

The 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods, after finishing the special event JP McManus Pro-Am held on the 6th at Adare Manor Golf Club (Par 72) in Limerick, Ireland, expressed his expectations by saying, "I'm going to The Open" and "This time, my performance will be better." He is set to compete in the final major of the 2022 season, The Open Championship (total prize money $14 million), which opens on the night of the 14th (Korean time) at the Old Course (Par 72, 7,313 yards) in St Andrews, Scotland.

Woods suffered serious injuries last February in Los Angeles, California, breaking both legs in a car accident. He spent three months bedridden and underwent an extraordinary rehabilitation process involving wheelchairs and crutches. It was surprising that he finished tied for 47th at the first major, the Masters, in April. He withdrew from the second major, the PGA Championship, after the third round in May, citing leg pain, skipped the third major, the U.S. Open, and took time to regroup.

It is worth noting that among Woods' three Open Championship wins, two (in 2000 and 2005) were at the Old Course in St Andrews. He knows the course better than anyone. On the 10th and 11th, he toured the course for 36 holes consecutively with Justin Thomas, practicing various technical shots and showing dedication. He added confidence, saying, "The key to winning on a links course is overcoming the sea breeze that changes in strength and direction every moment," and "Since I can't put weight on my left leg, I naturally play lower trajectory shots."

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler challenges his second major victory at the 150th Open.

Of course, the path to victory is not easy. Big stars such as world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA), No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) are all participating. Scheffler, in particular, is almost a 'black hole' with 4 wins and 3 runner-up finishes in 21 events, including a Masters victory. Collin Morikawa is the defending champion. He has vivid memories of clinching a two-stroke victory with a 4-under-par final day last year.

Another contender is Xander Schauffele, who won the Genesis Scottish Open, the 'mock test' for The Open, on the 11th. Past champions such as Jordan Spieth (USA) in 2017, Francesco Molinari (Italy) in 2018, and Shane Lowry (Ireland) in 2019 are also formidable. Players who joined the Saudi-led 'LIV Golf' such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, 'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson (all USA) are also appearing.

Korea's vanguard is Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics), who finished third at the Genesis Scottish Open. Last year, he was the youngest triple crown winner on the Korean Tour, and after winning the Singapore International in January to become the Asian Tour money leader, he has recently been moving between the PGA Tour and other leagues seeking to enter the world league. He expressed his fighting spirit, saying, "I'm happy to be in the top 3" and "I will win soon." He is accompanied by 'Shriners Champ' Im Sung-jae (24), 'AT&T back-to-back winner' Lee Kyoung-hoon (31), Kim Si-woo (27), and Kim Min-kyu (21, all CJ Logistics).