Scheffler eyes rare Open repeat as Royal Birkdale bakes in summer heat

LONDON, July 13 : American Scottie Scheffler will set out to buck a British Open trend and become the first player to defend the title for 18 years at a baked Royal Birkdale this week.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington was the last player to retain the Claret Jug when he won at Birkdale in 2008 and the trend since then has favoured first-time winners.

South African Ernie Els was the most recent repeat champion, at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012, since when the sport's oldest major has been a hot potato.

Several players will be favoured to snap the sequence of first-time winners, though, with world number one Scheffler and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy the favourites despite both coming in with question marks about their form.

Scheffler produced a links golf masterclass on the Antrim coast last year with a processional four-stroke victory at Portrush adding a fourth major to his collection.

The 30-year-old has not won since his first event of the season and his preparation suffered a jolt at last week's Scottish Open when he missed his first cut in four years.

That early exit did have some benefits though as Scheffler arrived earlier than expected at Birkdale to cast his eye over a course on which he has never played.

McIlroy found himself caught up in a maelstrom at Portrush last year where his every step was followed by thousands of fans willing him to the title on his home links.

Huge galleries will follow him from Thursday too at Birkdale where in 2017 he finished tied fourth behind dominant champion Jordan Spieth.

McIlroy, 37, retained the Masters this year in a thriller but has played only sporadically since as he focuses on more quality time away from the grind.

Apart from one round at the Scottish Open he looked in fine