Rory McIlroy is a stronger links player than is often assumed
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Rory McIlroy promises to be the star attraction at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland over the weekend, which boasts a star-studded field, with five of the world's top six players present - a stat that underlines the supremacy of European golf.
It's easy to write off McIlroy, given the comments he made after the Open criticising the unforgiving nature of links golf. It seemed that the Ulsterman, who will spend most of his time Stateside next season, had lost the stomach for a links battle.
And when the wind is swirling McIlroy is likely to struggle, given how his high ball-flight can be thrown off course by the gusts that traditionally feature in Scotland. But the weather forecast for this weekend is about as good as it gets north of the border, so expect McIlroy's crisp strikes to arrow towards their intended target.
If we take a look at the 2010 Open, when McIlroy shot a course-record 63 at St Andrews in helpful conditions, then it's easy to see he has the game to shine in the links format. And his Alfred Dunhill record isn't bad either, with a second place in 2009, an eighth the year before that and a third in 2007.
Williams' wager
- Rory McIlroy to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - 10/1 at bet365
Paul Lawrie to win E/W - 90/1 at bet365
Scott Jamieson to win E/W - 175/1 at bet365
Plus, and we shouldn't underestimate the importance of this, he's learnt to how to cope with the pressure placed on him by the expectant British public. "After Congressional [where he won the US Open] I probably was a bit uncomfortable with all the madness but once you get used to it, you can find your feet and it's OK," McIlroy told the Telegraph. "I've had to learn to deal with it - but it's a great problem."
McIlroy also needs to make a move - and quick - to cut into Luke Donald's lead at the top of the Race to Dubai standings, so the incentive is there to perform. The winner stands to scoop €588,148 and, with McIlroy currently around €1.6m behind Donald, the Ulsterman can slash into his rival's lead.
Eight of the ten winners of the tournament have hailed from Britain and Ireland, and the first man to lift the trophy, Paul Lawrie, appeals at 90/1. The Scotsman, a former Open winner, is a links expert, as he showed when putting together a 64 at the Scottish Open during July.
Finally, Scott Jamieson appears generously priced at 175/1, considering he was third at the Scottish Open this year and has enjoyed a breakthrough season, with five top-six finishes.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
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Josh Williams
Josh Williams is an assistant editor of ESPN.co.uk
