The fourth and final Major of the season takes place at Royal Troon Golf Club, Scotland this week with a stacked field competing for the 152nd Open Championship.
Royal Troon will be hosting this tournament for the 10th time and for the first time since 2016, when Sweden’s Henrik Stenson held off American Phil Mickelson to lift the famous Claret Jug in one of the greatest final-round duels in Major championship history.
World number one Scottie Scheffler has been the dominant force on tour this season, with his Masters triumph in April one of six victories, and he heads the betting ahead of Thursday's opening round.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy will be desperate to put last month's US Open heartache behind him and win the Open for a second time, while there is plenty of quality in behind with the likes of Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Aberg, Collin Morikawa and many more.
American Brian Harman claimed the spoils last year, as he put on a putting masterclass, and he is aiming to become the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to successfully retain the title.
It should be a sensational week in South Ayrshire, littered with thrills and spills over the four days of competitive action, but which player will be crowned Champion Golfer of the Year?
- TONY FINAU TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
- AARON RAI TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
- TOM MCKIBBIN TOP-20 FINISH
- AKSHAY BHATIA TOP-20 FINISH
- WYNDHAM CLARK FIRST-ROUND LEADER
Finau To Make Major Mark
World number 18 Tony Finau is yet to break his Major duck but it has not been for the want of trying and his record in the 'big four' tournaments is impressive, with five top-fives and six top-10s.
The 34-year-old American was tied-ninth in the 2018 Open before ending up third 12 months later, while he also clinched a share of 18th position at Royal Troon back in 2016 and he clearly has a liking for links golf.
From tee-to-green, Finau is one of the best around and he ranks eighth in strokes gained in this department on the PGA Tour this season, while his ranking of 15th in SG: around the green shows he has a deft touch when required.
The putter, as it has been for his whole career, is the problem club and he sits 131st in strokes gained on the greens and 113th in overall putting average. Clearly, he will need to have a better week with the flat stick to contend here.
It is, therefore, pleasing to see that Finau has looked better with the putter over the last few weeks, notably rolling back the rock well when ending up in a share of third at the US Open.
If the US star can maintain these levels on the greens at Royal Troon, he should have a strong chance of lifting the Claret Jug.
TONY FINAU TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
Rai To Get In The Mix
Another player that has been held back by a cold putter is Aaron Rai but he has shown a monumental improvement with the flat stick since adding a new putting coach to his team prior to last month's Rocket Mortgage Classic.
The Englishman was tenth in strokes gained putting in Detroit, topped the charts at the John Deere Classic and was eighth at last week's Scottish Open, highlighting how confident he is on the greens right now.
Rai booked his Open spot by grabbing one of the three spots on offer at the Renaissance Club last week, with his seven-under-par 63 on Sunday propelling up into a share of fourth position, and he could be a Major contender in Scotland.
AARON RAI TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
Bet On The Open Championship
McKibbin To Impress On Open Debut
Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin showed just how much talent he has when landing the 2023 Porsche European Open and he arrives in Scotland in solid form, having posted a runners-up effort, two top-fives and four top-10s.
The 21-year-old still has plenty of more development to come but his solid tee-to-green game, which has him ranked 10th in driving accuracy and 17th in greens in regulation, should help him this week.
Making his Open debut, McKibbin is more than capable of landing a top-20 finish.
TOM MCKIBBIN TOP-20 FINISH
Bhatia To Enjoy First Troon Visit
Another player making his Open debut this week is Akshay Bhatia, and like McKibbin, he looks to have a great chance of posting a top-20 result at Royal Troon.
The 22-year-old American has already won two PGA Tour titles, his Texas Open success in April adding to his 2023 Barracuda Championship victory, and he arrives here in solid form.
Bhatia was tied-16th at the US Open - his best Major result - before posting a top-five finish at the Travelers Championship and then ending up in a tie for second at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
The US ace has looked solid in all areas of his game and he can enjoy a positive trip to Royal Troon.
AKSHAY BHATIA TOP-20 FINISH
Clark To Make Fast Start
While Wyndham Clark looks a decent shout to win the Open for the first time, there looks to be more value in backing him to sit top of the leaderboard after the opening 18 holes.
The 2023 US Open champion shot a superb eight-under-par 62 on the final round of last week's Scottish Open, propelling him into a tie for 10th and providing a timely confidence boost going into the Major.
Clark has been putting in some low rounds of late, notably signing for a 63 at the Travelers Championship, and he could make a hot start in South Ayrshire.
WYNDHAM CLARK FIRST-ROUND LEADER
