Golf’s final major for nine months takes place this weekend across the pond at Royal St. George’s in Kent, England in the 149th iteration of The Open Championship, also referred to as the British Open.
This tournament provides a different challenge than the Masters, PGA Championship or U.S. Open in that the golf is played on a links-style golf course, the oldest kind of course in the world. These courses are only found in England, Ireland or Scotland, where golf originated, and the courses are trademarked with uneven terrain and sandy soil that’s good for golfing and not much else. That’s why the land was used that way to begin with.
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Skip forward a few hundred years, and we’ve got one more chance to take in major championship golf until next year’s Masters. And the year’s majors up to now are going to be a tough act to follow. Hideki Matsuyama brought a Green Jacket to Japan, Phil Mickelson captured magic at Kiawah Island for his first major victory since 2013 and Jon Rahm overcame a recent bout with COVID-19 to clinch his first major title at the U.S. Open played at Torrey Pines, the site of his first victory back in 2017.
The Open Championship wasn’t played in 2020 due to the pandemic, so the world’s best are itching to get a crack at Royal St. George’s, which has hosted the event 14 times prior.
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This course is known for its deep bunkers, known as pot bunkers, which can end even the most hardy player’s chances in a hurry. The dangerous bunkers, constant elevation changes and blustery conditions on the coast give tough, creative golfers an advantage. It’s not the bomb-and-gouge course that so many PGA Tour venues provide. Only a patient, experienced player can have success here, evident in that the average age of its winner is markedly older than the year’s other majors.
Staff Picks:
Rory McIlroy (18-1, FanDuel Sportsbook) — I can’t quit Rory — ever — and especially not near his home turf where he learned to play in the first place. McIlroy hasn’t won a major since the PGA in 2014, but he did break a losing slump at the Wells Fargo Championship in May. McIlroy is suited well to the challenges Royal St. Georges provides, and he was within reach of the title at the U.S. Open last month and couldn’t quite put it together on Sunday. I’ll go back to the well with the Irishman any day, and this European occasion is no different.
Harris English (66-1, FanDuel Sportsbook) — English, a Georgia native, has experienced plenty of success this year with two wins on the PGA Tour, but I think his game sets up well to take the next step and compete for a major title as well. He’s not excelled at majors so far in his relatively young career, but he has made the cut in 17 of his 20 major appearances and nabbed a pair of top five finishes in the past two U.S. Opens, so he’s trending in the right direction. English is running hot with his form as of late with multiple high finishes, including a win at the Travelers Championship just a few weeks ago.
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Guest Picks:
— Stephen Hennessey, Managing Dep. Editor, Golf Digest —
Jordan Spieth (20-1, William Hill) — There are many reasons to like Spieth. Per Rick Gehman’s site, Spieth has been the best player in the world Strokes Gained-wise per round in 2021. Look at his history at links courses since 2015 (compiled across tours by my guy @PGASplits101 on Twitter, a must-follow by the way), and Spieth is second only to Brooks Koepka in Strokes Gained/total per round. His iron play has been superb, and his creativity and shot-making are the intangibles you need to win an Open. Spieth has done it at The Open before — why not find major No. 4 this week at Royal St. George’s?
Brooks Koepka to finish in the top 20 (-130, FanDuel) — In his past 20 major starts, Koepka has finished in the top 20 in every attempt except three of them — and one of those was a T-21. I would expect him to keep up his major form from 2021 (a T-2 and a T-7) and contend once again —even if he gets unlucky with the draw. This should be one of the biggest locks of the week.
— Andy Lack, PGA and NFL writer for Rotoballer —
Jordan Spieth (18-1, FanDuel Sportsbook) — Open Championship pedigree? Check. The three-time major championship winner has played this tournament seven times and recorded three top 10s, including a win at Birkdale in 2017. Recent form? Check. Since the start of February, Spieth has racked up 10 top 20s finishes, six top fives, and a win at the Valero Texas Open. A skill-set perfectly suited for links-style golf? Check. Over his last 36 rounds, the Texan is the only player in this entire field to rank inside the top 20 in bogey avoidance, Strokes Gained: approach, putting from five-to-10 feet, scrambling, and Strokes Gained in windy conditions. Let’s not overthink this one.
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Patrick Reed (40-1, Bet365) — For those not interested in Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed presents a similar skill set at a discounted price. The former Masters champion has quietly been playing some really solid golf, with seven top 25 finishes in his last 10 starts. Reed has justifiably earned the “big game hunter” moniker, as he tends to do his best work under the brightest lights. Of Reed’s nine career victories, six of them have come in majors, WGC events, or Fed Ex Cup palyoff events. Already one of the best bunker and wind players in the world, Reed should be right at home at Royal St. George’s.
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com.
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