A look ahead to the Open Championship and another major attempt for Rory McIlroy
The 152nd Open Championship is men’s fourth and final major of 2024. Royal Troon is a par 71 links layout that includes 123 yard postage stamp eighth hole which is the shortest on Open rota. Last edition to be hosted at Royal Troon was in 2016 were Henrik Stenson got the better of Phil Mickelson in a memorable finish. A field of 159 golfers are participating starting on Thursday at 06:35AM and includes past Open Championship winner’s Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Brian Harman. 18 members from LIV Tour including past Open Championship winner’s Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson and two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau will also be at Royal Troon.
McIlroy is coming into this major after losing out in a heartbreaking finish to DeChambeau at recent US Open. Since 2014 win at Hoylake McIlroy has recorded five Open Championship top 10 finishes including a tied fifth at Royal Troon. The Northern Irishman played his first tournament in three week’s at Rolex Series Genesis Scottish Open were he shot multiple impressive under par rounds to finish tied fourth. McIlroy’s last major win was in 2014 at PGA Championship and Royal Troon is his last opportunity to end drought in 2024. The Northern Irishman has a score average of -7 for last six appearances at Open Championship and will play with Max Homa & Tyrrell Hatton on both Thursday & Friday. Four-time major champion will be tested mentally especially after what happened at Pinehurst but hopefully McIlroy has a successful Open Championship.
Lowry achieved his first major win at Royal Porthrush in 2019 and finished tied sixth at this year’s PGA Championship. Offaly native strength is iron play as he’s currently ranked 10th on PGA Tour Strokes Gained Approach the Greens category. Lowry’s quest for a second Open Championship win will start on Thursday at 02:59Pm with Smith and Matt Fitzpatrick. Two-time Open Championship winner Padraig Harrington will remarkably make his 27th appearance in this event at Royal Troon. Tom McKibbin qualified for The Open Championship due to a runner-up finish to Marcel Siem at recent DP World Tour Italian Open.
Scottie Scheffler will play his fourth Open Championship this weekend and his best finish was a tied eighth in 2021. Scheffler has achieved two Masters wins in 2022 & 2024 and will be attempting to record a seventh victory this year in Scotland. Morikawa achieved his first Open Championship win in 2021 and his improved form this year continued with a tied fourth finish at Genesis Scottish Open. DeChambeau recently recorded two top 10 finishes in a row on LIV Tour but has struggled in the Open Championship as his best finish was a tied eighth in 2022. Xander Schauffele incredibly managed 51 consecutive cuts in a row at Genesis Scottish Open and has a taste for the big events after his maiden major win at Valhalla. Ludvig Aberg will also be a leading contender especially with been fourth in World Golf Rankings but needs to bounce back after a disappointing final round of 73 at last weekend’s Genesis Scottish Open.