Rory McIlroy must realise driving is for show, putting is for dough

For most, it is easy to overlook Royal Troon as an Open Championship venue as it possesses neither the famous dunes of Birkdale or the beauty of Turnberry and doesn’t command the reverence we most often associate with St Andrew’s.

But you only have to appreciate its motto “Tam Arte Quam Marte” — as much by skill as by strength — to understand that Troon is very much respected by the players, with many believing that the back nine holes are the most difficult of any course on the entire Open Championship rota.

As dour as the test may be for those watching on TV, the ultimate challenge for the players this week will be to strategise how best to take advantage of the more favourable downwind holes on the front nine before knuckling down to survive a very testing back nine holes that will examine every aspect of their games.