Rick Shiels predicts who is going to win The Open Championship this week

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The Open Championship is finally here, with Royal Troon Golf Club hosting the fourth and final major of the year.

The iconic links course welcomes the biggest names in golf, who will all be keen to end major season on a high.

Many have been preparing for the challenges Troon will face in their practice rounds, undoubtedly achieving different levels of success.

The likes of the Scottish Open, John Deere Classic and LIV Golf Andalucia will have also been used by many to fine-tune their games.

It should be a thrilling event in Scotland, with Royal Troon boasting one of the ‘scariest’ holes in the world.

Rick Shiels predicts who will win The Open Championship

But it remains to be seen who can battle all the elements and come out on top, with 158 players involved in what is the largest field in almost three decades.

Speaking on The Rick Shiels Golf Show, Shiels has now made his pick for The Open Championship winner.

“I’m not somebody who usually picks this player,” said Shiels. “Not for the fact I don’t want him to win, I just don’t usually pick him very often.

“I think Rory McIlroy is going to have the greatest comeback. After his defeat at the US Open in dramatic style he’s had a few weeks off, he played the Scottish Open and played alright, had a top 10 finish.

“If you remember when he had that disaster at the Masters all those years ago he came back the very next major and won it.

“I feel like his back is against the wall and has something to prove. I really feel like he’s going to come out this week and win.”

Can Rory McIlroy bounce back from his US Open collapse?

It really was a spectacular collapse from McIlroy at the US Open, with the Northern Irishman looking very likely of winning the title before blowing it at the last minute.

He will remember the nightmare final round for quite some time, but could bounce back in the perfect fashion at The Open.

After taking a break following Pinehurst, the world number two performed admirably at the Scottish Open, finishing T4 at The Renaissance Club.

That should give McIlroy some much-needed confidence ahead of the upcoming major, where he has yet another shot of ending his decade-long drought.

But it certainly won’t be easy for him given the strong field, with world number one Scottie Scheffler among three Americans who can win The Open this week.