TROON, Scotland -- Theyve been waiting a long time for a home winner in these parts.Hoylake had Rory McIlroy in 2014, while Royal St Georges had Darren Clarkes emotional victory in 2011. But you have to scroll back to 1923 and Arthur Havers to find a British winner at Royal Troon.In fact, its the Americans who have Troon all sewn up, winning the last six Open Championships staged at the South Ayrshire course in a run dating back to the great Arnold Palmers victory in 1962.While Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and the rest of the present crop of leading Americans are sure to be in the mix for the Claret Jug come Sunday, theres reason to be hopeful of a home victory this year -- hopes hinged, as usual, on Northern Irelands McIlroy.The 27-year-old is due for another major. Not since the 2014 PGA Championship has he topped the standings in one of golfs biggest four events, and hell be relishing the chance to reignite his career with a fifth major on home shores.Theres a problem, though. While McIlroys third place at the Open de France earlier this month hinted at a return to form following a miserable U.S. Open tilt, his preparations in Scotland have been far from straightforward.Regardless of whether he set out to be deliberately provocative, his comments on Tuesday about the irrelevance of golf in the Olympics caused a stir and ensured his face was splashed across Wednesdays newspapers for reasons other than his Troon challenge.The furor is sure to come as an unwelcome distraction as he navigates the week ahead. Will fans be a little more muted in their campaigning for him after he revealed he does not feel a responsibility to grow the game? Thursdays tee shot on the first could be a revealing moment.Two men who are going to Rio are Englands Justin Rose and Danny Willett, and both look in good shape coming to Troon.Rose has been camped out in the town for a week already, taking in the sea air and acclimatising ahead of what could be a strong challenge on the weekend. While he used a press conference on Wednesday morning to affirm his commitment to the British cause in Rio, hes firmly focused on the Claret Jug this week and theres a determined glint in his eye.The 35-year-old finished in a respectable tie for sixth at St Andrews last year, but three missed cuts in the last six Open Championships means he comes to Troon with a record to set straight.Obviously my Open Championship form is something Ive definitely been conscious about, and really doing my best to turn around, Rose said on Tuesday. I think last year was obviously a nice step in the right direction.Im at the point where Im focusing on my performance rather than just trying to get fit. So I feel like its about the right time for me to start turning into a couple good results and Im excited about it.Of course, Roses Team Great Britain teammate Willett comes to Troon with a major already under his belt, having claimed the Masters title in stunning fashion earlier this year. But where did he finish at St Andrews 12 months ago? Neatly tied for sixth, with Rose.Being British, this is one you want to get your hands on, Willett said on Tuesday. I had a bit of a taste of it at St Andrews last year. Playing the last few holes, I was obviously in contention, and then being able to win at Augusta was awesome.To be able to come here as a major champion and get the crowds with us would be fantastic on Thursday morning. It will be really, really special.Beyond that big three of British golf, dare we mention the chances of someone such as Lee Westwood? The perennial nearly-man of major golf tournaments on both sides of the pond, Westwood was in contention at last months U.S. Open before a closing-round 80 saw him plummet to a tie for 32nd.Second at St Andrews in 2010 and third at Muirfield in 2013, if Westwood could just make it stick on Sunday then Troon could be the venue that sees him break his duck at age 43.As for a truly home winner, the Scottish challenge is likely to be led by Inverness Russell Knox. He missed the cut in his open debut last time out but has since claimed a World Golf Championship and turned in a strong performance at last weeks Scottish Open.While Knox has since become something of an adopted American, playing almost all his golf in the States, the fans will be rooting for him as a true blue Scot if hes in contention on Sunday. 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Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Junior All-American middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan led the Gators with 15 points on 10 kills and six blocks as No. 11 Florida swept South Carolina (25-14, 25-19, 25-19) Sunday afternoon in Columbia in front of an ESPNU audience to improve to 14-2 on the season, 4-1 in conference play.Senior right side Alex Holston joined Alhassan in double-digit kills with 11 as the duo combined for 27 of Floridas 53 points in the Gators fourth conference win. Freshman middle blocker Rachael Kramer posted a team high .636 clip with eight kills and five blocks, giving the first-year Gator nine matches this season with a .500 efficiency or higher.The story of the day was Floridas ability to string together serving runs and post a physical block against the Gamecocks - six in the first, five in the second - as the Orange and Blue out-blocked the Gamecocks 6-0 in the opening frame and 11-6 in the match. Kramer posted all five of her roofs in the first set to get the Gators out to a hot start, 25-14.After a 6-6 tie in the second frame, the Orange and Blue pulled away with a 9-1 run, thanks in part to an eight-point service run from junior libero Caroline Knop, including back-to-back aces. Knop finished the afternoon in Columbia with 17 digs, her third-most this season and most in a three-set match this year, as Florida capped off its 18th consecutive victory against USC with 25-19 second and third set final scoresWORDS FROM WISEWe set the tone for the match with aggressive serving and quality blocking. It allowed us, when our offense wasnt perfect, to make up for the mistakes. A lot of credit to our playerss, both front row and back row.ddddddddddddHE RECORDSSouth Carolina: 13-4, 1-4 SECNo. 11 Florida: 14-2, 4-1 SECNOTABLES AND TRENDS* Florida moved to 12-1 this season when taking the first set after opening against the Gamecocks with a 25-14 first-set victory* The Gators two service aces: two from Caroline Knop, one each from Rhamat Alhassan and Carli Snyder, were their second-most in SEC play* UF held USC to a negative efficiency in the first set (-.069) and a .030 clip on the match. The Gators have now held 11 of 16 opponents this season under a .200 efficiency* Florida has now won 18 straight against the Gamecocks and now boasts a 25-5 record all-time in Columbia* The Gators out-blocked the Gamecocks 11-6, including six blocks in the first, five in the second. Florida has put together seven double-digit block efforts in the last nine matches and nine double-digit block matches this season* The Orange and Blue have played 11 of 16 matches so far this season on the road and will continue with a weekend set on the road next weekend at LSU, Texas A&M* UF is now 419-46 (.901) all-time in SEC play, including a 393-24 mark the past 25 seasons under Mary Wise.UP NEXTThe Orange and Blue will keep it on the road with matches at LSU and Texas A&M October 15 & 17 in Baton Rouge and College Station, respectively. The Gators and Tigers will stream live on SEC Network + at 8 p.m. ET, while Florida and Texas A&M will play in front of a live television audience on SEC Network at 5 p.m. ET. ' ' '