TROON, Scotland — Justin Thomas made his British Open debut at Royal Troon eight years ago, and it taught him everything he needs to know about what can make this major so maddening.
It had nothing to do with gorse bushes or pot bunkers. It was about weather and tee times.
“I was in the bad one,” Thomas said.
By that he meant the bad side of the draw, and it’s part of the charm — or curse — of the British Open.
It was fairly benign in the opening round at Royal Troon in 2016, all the way through Friday morning until 30 mph wind and a driving rain made players in the afternoon feel they were on a different course than those who played early.