By Mark Sandritter
When the first round of the British Open begins on Thursday, it will mark the 16th time Muirfield Golf Links has hosted the Open Championship. Live previous events, this year’s Open figures to test the field of 156 of the best players in the world. While the tournament doesn’t begin until Thursday, the golf world has already arrived at the legendary course.
Players began playing practice rounds on Sunday, and will continue to do so through Wednesday. Practice rounds are a way for players to get a feel for the course and how it’s playing, but they can also lead to some entertaining moments. During his practice round on Monday, Phil Mickelson practiced a backwards flop shot.