Sporting Post sits down with former US open and British Open champion Tony Jacklin. Tony shared his insights on various players and the state of the game. He expressed enthusiasm for Wyndham Clark, the new US Open champion, who Jacklin believes has gained confidence and has the potential to challenge for more majors. Jacklin also praised Ricky Fowler's improved performance since reuniting with coach Butch Harmon and predicted a possible win for Fowler before the end of the year.
Regarding Rory McIlroy, Jacklin acknowledged his talent as a ball striker but pointed out his inconsistency and occasional struggles with wedge play. Although Jacklin didn't consider McIlroy a clear favourite for The Open, he believed he could be a strong contender alongside players like Rahm, Johnson, and Scheffler.
Speaking of Scottie Scheffler, Jacklin commended his remarkable ball-striking ability despite unorthodox footwork. Jacklin mentioned a past encounter with Scheffler's father, who recalled Jacklin predicting a bright future for Scottie when he was just 10 years old.
Jacklin also discussed Cameron Smith's putting skills and potential to defend his crown at The Open, Tommy Fleetwood's talent and the support he receives when playing in the UK, and the merger between the PGA and LIV tours. He saw the merger as a positive move for the future of the game, but also expressed the need for more opportunities for young professionals.
Regarding the Ryder Cup, Jacklin anticipated a different tournament due to the involvement of players who are no longer members of the tours. He acknowledged the challenges faced by team captains in selecting their squads.
Lastly, Jacklin commented on Lee Westwood's decision not to rejoin the DP World Tour, noting that Westwood might miss the opportunity to play competitive golf as a senior. He mentioned that senior golf offers a fulfilling experience for players as they age.
Wyndham Clark appears revitalized
Sporting Post: We have a new Major champion as Wyndham Clark showed poise to get over the line in the US Open. Can he challenge for more majors?
Tony Jacklin: Clark appears revitalised and certainly seems like he’s been given a big boost in confidence. Ultimately everyone knows that’s what golf is all about. In sport, it is one of the most important factors. The win earlier on in the year helped, six weeks ago he wouldn’t have been on your list! It’s been incredible for him, fantastic.
SP: Ricky Fowler is playing some great golf this year. How good is it that he is competing for Majors? Can he land a big win soon?
TJ: He’s a sweetheart of a guy and everyone likes him, it’s nice to see him back playing the way he can - I think he has really benefited from going back to Butch Harmon, I think it really shows.
He held it together very well and it will be nice to see him back in the winners’ circle before the end of the year. If he keeps doing what he does it won’t be long. I think he will take a lot of weight from this week. It would have brought some memories back, he’s very capable and a lovely guy. People will be thrilled for him but he is no spring chicken anymore.
McElroy can be a pain in the arse
SP: Rory McIlroy is so honest in his interviews and knows it won’t be long before another major win. Do you agree?
TJ: Rory is a precocious talent, I wouldn’t say he is out on his own as Scheffler is becoming a real player, but Rory? There’s no better ball striker. But you just don’t know what type of personality is going to turn up. I watched him at the Canadian Open and was surprised that none of the commentators noticed his body language wasn’t the same on the last day. These things dribble away.
I won’t tell you what I say to my wife about him as I like Rory, I consider him a friend, but he is also a pain in the arse when he doesn’t fulfil his potential. He just makes it look so easy, that’s the thing - fans like me lose the reality of how difficult it is. But his wedge play was awful in Canada, it’s one of the key clubs and his proximity to the hole for the number of short shots he hits isn’t good enough a lot of the time.
SP: Would you make Rory favorite for The Open this year?
TJ: I wouldn’t make him my stand-out favorite, no. I certainly think he is one of them - he has far more experience than most on Links courses. But looking at Rahm, Johnson and Scheffler, I wouldn’t put Rory at the top of my list but he would be close.
Scottie Scheffler’s footwork sucks
SP: Mr Consistent Scottie Scheffler gets another Top 5 finish. He is playing such good Golf. Can he land The Open this year?
TJ: Scottie brings so much to the table. He was 18 shots better and finished second, he’s not a terrible putter but he is an amazing ball striker. But… his footwork sucks, he nearly falls over when he is hitting drivers. It’s extraordinary - Ben Hogan for example would turn in his grave! He looks anything but the best ball striker when you see him swing but his results tell a different story. He’s amazing.
I saw his father at the US Open and he said when Scotty was 10 he came and asked for my autograph. Apparently I said to him ‘I think the future will hold something fantastic for you’ and they’ve never forgotten it. I couldn’t remember saying it, but his father did. I must be a clairvoyant!
No doubt he can win it, but the unpredictability of the weather is a big thing - you never know what you’re going to get. It can mess with your scoring, but we have to wait and see. It’s a different challenge.
SP: Cameron Smith won The Open last year and finished The US Open in 4th position with a score of -6. Is his game suited to another good shot at defending his crown?
TJ: Cameron’s an unbelievable putter. The puts he makes! It’s an interesting one, he just has a knack. He just does it. He goes into this little world of his own and boom. He’s a candidate if he gets the right tee-times. It depends a lot on the first round in all these Major championships. If they get off to a good start, they quickly get engaged.
SP: Talk to me about Tommy Fleetwood’s game at the minute.
TJ: Tommy has had a kick-in on the last which got away from him, I wondered if he lost his knife-edge concentration for a minute. He’s a talented guy coming into form at the right time. I’ve been watching him closely over the past few years and have met him on a number of occasions. He is a bright star, but he needs to get it done over here.
He’s very popular. When he comes home to play the Open there will be lots of support, he could well jump out from the pack early. He is playing well enough to get it done. If he can get off to a fast start, there’s no reason why we can’t have another English winner.
The PGA and LIV merger will be fantastic for the game
SP: What did you make of the announcement of the PGA and LIV merger?
TJ: I have been trying to make all the sense of it I can. In the long term it is going to be fantastic for the game. I would personally like to see more opportunities for younger pros and also more tours, there is room for more. There are so many talented young players who don’t get the chance. We need to grow the game.
They are throwing millions of dollars at guys who don’t need it. But I am bound to think that. In the long term this will be amazing and there may be a few surprises in the short term. I don’t see the point in LIV carrying on if there’s an arrangement with PIF throwing more billions into the game. It would be daft if LIV started bidding for a Jon Rahm, say. I think it’s going to be great for the game long term.
SP: What did you think was the reasoning behind the merger?
TJ: Reading between the lines, you have a couple of board members on the PGA tour who are business people. The commissioner originally didn’t want to talk to the Saudis at all. They were looking at the long-term.
Golf is a massive business. They went into the meetings more open minded and it brought the whole thing together - that’s why we have a board of directors, to build for the future. I know it created a lot of consternation, people saying they can’t trust this that or another but some things you need to keep quiet, and just get on with the business end of it. It’s still not over, but the tour seem confident that it’ll be given the rubber stamp and we move on from there.
Jay Monahan is a straight shooter
SP: PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan acknowledged he would be called a hypocrite and said he accepts the criticism - what are your thoughts on this?
TJ: I’ve known Jay for 25 years. Long before he was commissioner - he’s a straight shooter. He has stuck his neck out with the knowledge he has. People forget LIV were given the opportunity to get involved with the DP tour years ago. They wanted more than that and came in with these millions and millions of dollars and created LIV. Personally I think maybe it’s not gone as well as they would have thought. Nobody knows these tournaments are on - they’re not competitive, they are exhibition matches with concerts going on and music blaring.
It’s not conducive for a competitive competition. I think when they got together it was the right time for both parties to come to some terms. It has resurrected some bad memories for some people but if you look across the board at some of the other businesses the Saudis are involved with, golf just becomes another one. The water continues to flow and we’ll see what happens.
I don’t understand the need and greed in golf
SP: Rory and Jon Rahm are key players behind the PGA. Will they look to be rewarded for their loyalty?
TJ: Give them another 100 million! I don’t understand this need and greed. How much is enough? I have no clue. It’s not my business to say what’s too much but maybe there will be something that the players own, that they’re party to - get rewarded for just being out there. If you get on the PGA tour now, you get $500,000 to cover your expenses! Why would they not get a little slice of the business they’re creating? I used to play exhibitions for £40! It’s funny money as far as I’m concerned but they’ll sort it out one way or another.
When this is all put together, there will be some very strained relationship. It will be very interesting what happens in the short term - there will be a lot hitting the fan in the next six to nine months. Lots of disgruntled players seeing things through their own point of view.
Tommy Fleetwood can win the Open
SP: Any predictions for the Open? Who have you got to win it all this year?
TJ: I think Fleetwood is going to be up there. Rory too, but the weather is a major factor. An early tee-time is what it’s about. I’ve played tournaments there and they’ve been cancelled because of the wind! It can be foul. I’ve hit sand-wedges and they’ve gone back over my head! It’s a tough track.
Fleetwood has a real chance, it’s not a maybe anymore. He’ll want to be in front of the home crowd and will get plenty of support. It’s comforting, especially when you’re on your game. Rory has got to be favorite. Scottie Scheffler too. There are so many good young players, it’s about whoever gets off to a fast start. But I wouldn’t bet on anyone until after the first round. It’s much easier to make your predictions after seeing the weather forecast on day two.
SP: How excited are you for the Ryder Cup later this year?
TJ: Who’s allowed in the team and who’s not allowed in the team? It’s going to be a Ryder Cup like no other. A few of our players are not members of the tour any more. That being said, maybe there are not too many you would have in there. On the American end it is a similar situation. If you join LIV, you cannot play. God knows what we’re going to end up with!
Luke Donald was kind enough to give me a call the other day and we went back and forth. But that’s his job, he’s got to go with what he has got and it’s the same with Zach Johnson. Matchplay is a different animal. It’s much more exciting, they can attack - I’ll be there and it will be different watching it.
Lee Westwood will miss competitive Golf
SP: What did you make of the news that Lee Westwood vowed to never rejoin the DP World Tour due to the Senior Open ban over his £800,000 fine?
TJ: I think the thing he will miss more than anything is being able to play senior golf. All the guys that are now 50 in LIV will. He took the money, he’s got plenty of money but you can’t go fishing every day, you can’t go racing every day. He is going to really miss competitive golf. All these guys have made their choice and they’re going to have to live with it. It’s just that simple.
I had a couple of years at it on the senior tour, I played far too much! It’s a nice five, ten or 15 years for these guys as they get older. Things may change, but who knows.
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