ROYAL BIRKDALE WILL play host to the 146th Open Championship this week when the world’s best players descend on the Merseyside course in a bid to take home the Claret Jug.
One thing we do know about Royal Birkdale is that you have to be good to win there, really good.
Of the nine Opens held at the venue, seven were won by members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, while another — Pádraig Harrington in 2008 — will almost certainly join them some day.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a closer look at why you should consider — or rule out — five of the best players in the world when making your selection for the year’s third Major.
1. Dustin Johnson – 14/1
Pro: Is perhaps the most accurate player in the game
As anyone who has ever played links golf can testify, accuracy in and around the green is crucial to a successful round, especially when those greens are surrounded by some of the most intimidating bunkers in golf.
Johnson currently ranks number one on the PGA Tour for greens in regulation and will hope that form holds this week in Southport.
Con: Travels worse than a chocolate souffle
The world number one has 16 victories in his career, but has never won a tournament outside the American continent.
2. Hideki Matsuyama – 22/1
Pro: If anyone’s ‘due’ a Major win, it’s him
We’ve been expecting Hideki Matsuyama to win one of golf’s big tournaments for so long that it’s easy to forget he’s just 25. However, he followed an 11th place finish at the Masters with the runners-up spot in the US Open, so maybe 2017 is the year he’ll finally do it.
After all, the last seven men’s Major champions have all been first-time winners, dating all the way back to Jason Day’s US PGA Championship success in 2015, so why not Matsuyama?
Con: He has failed to show he’s Open for business to date
Since finishing tied for 13th in 2013, Matsuyama has finished tied-39th, tied-18th and missed the cut last year.
3. Jordan Spieth – 14/1
Pro: He’s a scoring machine
Only Rickie Fowler has a better scoring average than Spieth’s 69.349 per round. The American’s ability to burn up a course is further highlighted when you consider that he also ranks second when it comes to the number of birdies, or better, per round.
This scoring skill will be especially important at Royal Birkdale where no player has finished under par in the last two Opens held there.
Con: He may well be an actual robot
While his game is technically almost perfect, it remains to be seen if he has the imagination to cope with links golf if the wind starts to howl over the weekend.
4. Rory McIlroy – 18/1
Pro: Proven form in Majors
Only two current PGA Tour players have won more Majors than McIlroy; Tiger Woods (14) and Phil Mickelson (5). That he can perform on the big stage is without doubt. In addition to his four wins, the Hollywood man has 11 top-ten finishes from 34 attempts making him a decent each-way shout in any Major.
However, the fact that eight of the nine Opens at Royal Birkdale were won by players who own multiple Majors — six of which were won by a player who hoisted the Claret Jug on more than one occasion — means the Northern Irish golfer is in with a real chance this week.
Con: He has worse form than Des Cahill on Strictly
Injury has clearly curtailed his season, but McIlroy’s form since the Masters has been shocking with three missed cuts in his last five events.
5. Jason Day – 35/1
Pro: It could be a G’day mate
Of the nine Opens held at Royal Birkdale to date, five have been won by Americans, one by Harrington and the remaining three by Australians.
Why that may be is uncertain but, with six top-10 finishes to his name in his last 10 Majors, Day has a great shout of draping the Australian Red Ensign around his shoulders on Sunday evening.
Con: He’s possibly still playing his US Open final round
Golf Week surveyed 50 pros and asked if Day was a slow player. 42% said yes and, if he wins this week, he’s going to make you wait to cash in.
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