Thursday 9 July 2015 12:33, UK
Rich Beem sympathises with Rory McIlroy after the world No 1 ruptured his ankle ligaments playing football with friends.
The world No 1 was ruled out of this week's Scottish Open and will also be unable to defend his Open title at St Andrews after suffering what he described as a "total rupture".
McIlroy's decision to be playing other sports so close to a major is a decision which has been criticised by some, but Beem, who is part of Sky Sports' punditry team in Scotland this week, doesn't have any problem with it.
“You can go either way on it, but unfortunate is what came to mind,” Beem told Sky Sports News HQ. “I think he’s just a 26-year-old man who was hanging with his buddies and living life.
“Even though you’re the world No 1 and have all these obligations, you’ve still got to live your own life and it’s unfortunate for him and his sponsors.
“I know Aberdeen Asset Management were looking forward to having him here, as were those at the Open, but I don’t have any problem with him going out and having a kick around with his boys.”
There is still a strong field at Gullane this week despite McIlroy's absence, with the past five Open winners having played in his tournament to get Links practice ahead of the third major of the year.
“I think the golf course is well laid out and the fairways are a little bit generous around here this week, which is exactly what we’re going to see at St Andrews," Beem added.
“There’ll be a little bit more movement next week, at least on a few of the holes, but the greens are all fairly flat and it’ll make a fair test of golf.
“I think the players will enjoy playing here this week and as long as the wind isn’t blowing, they can shoot some pretty low numbers to get ready for the Open.”
With McIlroy now confirmed to be not featuring next week, Jordan Spieth has a great opportunity to join Ben Hogan as the only players to win the first three majors of a calendar year.
The world No 2 has elected to tee of in Illinois this week at the venue of his maiden PGA Tour victory, instead getting to grips with next week's Open venue by a using virtual simulator at home.
“If he was still in college, that’s what he’d be doing in his dorm!” Beem said. “It’s good to see him go back to the John Deere, where he got his first victory with a tournament exemption.
“It’s nice for him to pay it back to the folks at the John Deere as a two-time major champion. They must be over the moon with that call and it’s a class act from a class kid.”
Watch the Scottish Open and the John Deere Classic live this week on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf.
