Open Championship power rankings: Top ten at Royal Birkdale

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

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TROON, SCOTLAND – JULY 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland playing his second shot on the 16th fairway during Day Two of the AAM Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Golf Course on July 14, 2017 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

In theory, there’s no golfer on the planet better suited for this Open than Rory McIlroy. With a win in 2014, and a tie for fifth in 2016, McIlroy has three top-tens in golf’s oldest championship. That’s not too bad, right? However, it’s hard to ignore the fact that McIlroy hasn’t even played the weekend in three of his last four worldwide starts. That’s not what you typically look for in an Open champion, but if there’s anybody who could shake it off, it’s still Rory.

Speaking of shaking things off, Rory insists that he’s playing without pain, although he continues to be hampered by rib and back problems. After missing the cut at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, McIlroy headed straight to Royal Birkdale for some early practice, but will that be enough to contend for a Claret Jug?

"“I am excited,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “It is the Open championship, one of the biggest events of the year. I feel like my game is not far away. I feel like over the next few days I can get a bit of work in and be ready to go on Thursday.”"

From what I’ve seen recently, I tend to believe him. Rory doesn’t look like he’s playing that poorly, even though the scorecards would indicate otherwise. This Open will put his entire game under a microscope, and I expect to see him play well into the weekend.

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