Blog#260 The OPEN Championship

Blog#260 The OPEN Championship

Royal Portrush Golf Club

Portrush N. Ireland Par 71

Purse $17M Same as last year

HISTORY

This is the 153rd OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP is the oldest golf tournament, started in 1860, and won by Willie Park Sr. who defeated Old Tom Morris by 2 strokes.

In 1861 the results were reversed with Morris winning by 4 strokes.

Last year Xander Schauffele won by 2 strokes over Justin Rose and Billy Horschel for his 2nd major last year. The last time the OPEN was played here was in 2019 and the winner was Shane Lowry who defeated Tommy Fleetwood by 6 strokes.

FAVORITES

1 S. Scheffler 5.5/1 Last year he 3 putted and never recovered, finished 7th.

2 Rory McIlroy 7.5/1 Played well enough to win last week, may be a classic finish.

3 J Rahm 11/1 Has not played well in majors since LIV but finished 14th at Masters.

4 Xander Schauffele 25/1 Finished 8th last week, don’t think he can repeat.

5 Ludvig Aberg 25/1 If he can stay away from DB or 3Bs, he could win.

6 Bryson DeChambeau 20/1 Keeps messing with his equipment, just play golf!

7 Tommy Fleetwood 20/1 No PGA win yet but played well here in 2019.

8 Collin Morikawa 35/1 His inconsistent and poor putting will hurt again.

9 Viktor Hovland 25/1 Like Aberg, can’t seem to put 4 good RDs together.

10 Brooks Koepka 65/1 Finished 12th at US Open, cut at PGA & Masters.

MY FAVORITES

1 Scottie Scheffler He played ok last week, finished 8th, but just did not seem to have his game. This is a big one and he should be at his best.

2 Tyrrell Hatton Played well in 3 majors this year except for a 77 on final RD, PGA.

3 Justin Rose 60/1 At age 44, four top 10’s this year and almost won the Masters.

4 Ben Griffin 80/1 Five top 10’s with a win at Schwab, played in 22 tournaments.

5 Andrew Novak 150/1 At 30 he has missed 7 won with Griffin last year real LS.

COMMENTARY;

Six Hardest holes

#1 Par 4 420’ Out of bounds on both sides. Must keep tee shot on fairway.

#4 Par 4 502’ Dangerous 2 bunkers left of fairway.

#11 Par 4 475’ Hardest hole, par 5 for members.

#14 Par 4 466’ Tough green to hold.

#16 Par 3 236’ Toughest birdie hole in 2019.

#18 Par 4 474’ Stay in the fairway to get par, not a birdie hole.