Blog#159 THE OPEN 

Blog#159 THE OPEN 

Royal Troon Golf Club 

The Old Course 

Troon, Ayrshire Scottland

Purse $17M+500K+3%

July 18-21, 2024   Par 71

HISTORY This is the 152nd OPEN and thy 10th at Royal Troon. 

Royal Troon was founded in 1878 on the Firth of Clyde.  Their first OPEN was in 1923 held at the Old Course which was redesigned by James Braid a 5 time OPEN champion.  Past OPEN champions here are Arnold Palmer 1962, Tom Weiskopf 1973 (his only major win), 

Tom Watson 1973 (1 of 5 OPEN titles).  The old course begins alongside the sea for the first 6 holes.  These holes are 3 par 4s, 1 par 3, 2 par 5s and give an opportunity for low scores.  

Hole #8 par3 123’ (Postage Stamp) is considered one of the top par 3’s in the world.  

Hole #11 par4 (The railroad) is one of the most difficult in golf.    

MY PREDICTION I think Rory is ready to win his first major in 10 years after blowing the 

US Open.  He played well in the Scottish Open and I think his main motivation was to prepare for an OPEN win.  However the competition is tough with LIV and the worlds best players.  Three players you cannot count out are Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Kopek and Bryson DeChambeau.  One of these players should win, but as last year when Brian Harman won by 6 strokes, anyone can get hot.

FAVORITES. Listed are the top 12 favorites in the order I think they should be in despite odds.

1 Scottie Scheffler 6/1 He skipped the Scottish to prepare for this, not good for the field.

2 Rory McIlroy 8/1 Had a good Scottish Open strong finish and may be a good tune up to win.

3 Brooks Koepka 18/1 #45 at Masters, #47 PGA, #57 US Open.  Time for him to step up.

4 Bryson DeChambeau 12/1 Won the US Open, 2nd at PGA,#6 at Masters, he could win.

5 Xander Schauffele 10/1 Won PGA and has been in contention in a few recent tournaments.

6 Collin Morikawa 18/1 He has been nocking on the door all season and won this in 2021.

7 Cameron Smith 22/1 He chased down McIlroy in 2022 to win.

I think any one of these 7 will win. 

8 Joaquin Niemann 25/1 He has the best results in LIV and is the best longshot.

9 Jon Rahm 15/1 I think playing in LIV has hurt his game but when he is on is one of the best.  

10 Patrick Cantlay 20/1 Finished 2nd at US Open hi9s best of the year and is well rested.

11 Viktor Hovland 15/1 His game keeps improving but it is not there yet.

12 Ludvig Aberg 12/1 Had Scottish Open won but 3 bogies the back 9, not ready to win yet.  

LONGSHOTS It would be a BIG suprise if any of these players win, but its golf!!!

1 Shane Lowry 33/1 He feels at home on these link courses 

2 Taylor Gooch 90/1 Has one of the best records with LIV and could surprise.

3 Sahith Theegala 40/1 Seems to always be in contention but usually bogies his way out.

4 Adam Scott 85/1 Finished 2nd at Scottish Open due to a blistering finish by MacIntyre.