This Week in Golf -- July 28th through July 31st

PGA TOUR - THE GREENBRIER CLASSIC, The Old White TPC, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia - The PGA Tour moves to West Virginia this week for the Greenbrier Classic.

The event gets a boost from a pair of big names as Phil Mickelson and Tom Watson will tee it up on the Old White TPC. 


Mickelson skipped the inaugural event last year, as did Watson, who is the golf professional emeritus at the Greenbrier.

Watson is skipping the U.S. Senior Open to compete in this tournament.

Last year, Stuart Appleby fired the second 59 in less than a month on the PGA Tour to gain the win. Appleby shot his magical score in the final round and he needed every stroke as he beat Jeff Overton by a single shot. 

McIlroy a morning person as youngster enjoys early round ahead of The Open

Rory McIlroy was out getting a final feel for Royal St George's first thing on Wednesday morning ahead of The Open.

McIlroy booked himself a 6:30am tee time with mentor, friend and fellow Northern Irishman Darren Clarke and, judging by the pictures below, the pair appeared to be in fine form despite the early alarm call.

Taking it all in his stride: Rory McIlroy and his caddie JP Fitzgerald looked relaxed on Wednesday morning

Centre of attention: Fans were out to catch a glimpse of McIlroy on Wednesday morning

The 22-year-old goes into the season's third major as the bookies' favourite following his stunning win at the US Open last month and will start his bid at 9:09am on Thursday morning.

Ernie Els, the 2002 winner, and young American Rickie Fowler make up the threesome and McIlroy Tweeted earlier this week: 'Great draw for the first 2 rounds at The Open, Ernie and @RickieFowlerPGA..... should be a nice buzz around the first tee on Thursday!'

It gets everywhere: McIlroy wipes sand off practice partner and countryman Darren Clarke

The buzz has been louder and louder around McIlroy since his Congressional victory and was there this morning as he made his way round at Sandwich, stopping to sign autographs to the delight of his fans.

The wind was up and plenty can change before he tees off but he will walk to the first full of confidence and without the burden of expectation

He said: 'The great thing for me is that I now have a major under my belt so that pressure is off. I don't have to answer any more questions on that subject and my focus can be entirely on winning more.'

High five: McIlroy and Clarke find a bit of form and something to celebrate on the 12th hole

Choppy: There was plenty of wind coming in off the sea as McIlroy fine-tuned his game

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk