It kicks off tonight (NZ Time) on the famed Hoylake Course. Not the British Open – The Open. The Brits have a wonderfully understated way of making things theirs by calling it, “the”. Like the Rugby Union, or The PGA. That said, the Open is here.
What will become of the course and its new 17th hole? The course is relatively flat with the usual bumps and hollows. The fairway bunkers are to be avoided. The wind will be the defense and the pressure intense. Who will win?
Well, I have a few thoughts:
Obviously Rory. Good form coming in and appears determined to win more majors. He can play any course well and is stupidly long. His hiccup could be the greens. Like we saw at the US Open, he need to hole some longer ones.
Jon Rahm. He’s awesome anywhere. A short game you’d expect from a Spaniard and hits it miles. No real weaknesses in his game other than maybe temperament.
Scottie Scheffler. Yeah wow. The guy just keeps putting himself in good positions to win. He’ll need to hole more longer ones though.
Rickie Fowler. Good form coming in. He’ll take the US Open as a good lesson and be confident. If he gets off to a good start he’ll be in the mix.
Brooks K. Yeah, well, he should be there abouts. He lives for the majors and I wouldn’t put it past him to win his 6th.
Cam Smith. The walking mullet will be a good bet. He has all the tools as we saw last year. Putts like a demon.
Ryan Fox. Has won at a links course. Hits it 400 miles. Pretty good short game and an excellent putter. Can be a touch nervy but he looks more and more comfortable now. Good dark horse bet.
Wyndham Clark. US Open. Long. Putter genius.
I’m going to go with Rory McIlroy as my pick this week but hope for a Foxy win.
Who are your picks?
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