Rory McIlroy’s coach is backing American player who’s never won a major to be in contention to win The Open on Sunday

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The Open Championship is now underway, with a long list of high-profile players taking on this week’s major tournament.

Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland hosts The Open, where home favourites Rory McIlroy, Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke are all involved.

Irishman Shane Lowry is also in the field, having won the tournament when it was last hosted at the same venue in 2019.

Wind and rain are again on the cards on the north coast of the country, where six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has enjoyed a very bright start.

Mickelson missed the cut back in 2019, as did his fellow legend Tiger Woods and Northern Irish star McIlroy.

Brad Faxon backs American player to be in contention at The Open

Scottie Scheffler has been named The Open favourite, but McIlroy’s coach Brad Faxon has another American on his mind to at least contend.

He said on Golf Channel: “I saw Rickie Fowler in a practice round yesterday. Rickie was playing with [Jordan] Spieth, he was playing with [Justin] Rose.

READ MORE: Rickie Fowler explains why Royal Portrush is unique compared to other Open Championship venues

“He was the only guy that came up to me, was very easy to talk to. He hit this… he has one of those mini-drivers.

“He smashed it down the 12th hole, little draw into the left-to-right wind. He hit it as far as Jordan Spieth’s driver. Whipped the seven iron on the green, rolled that in for eagle.

“Then hit a beautiful iron shot down the hill on 13. There’s something about Rickie Fowler right now that looks comfortable to me.

“He has to play well to be considered in contention… to be a Ryder Cup captain’s pick, if he wins here that would be an easy pick. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rickie Fowler late on Sunday going for it.”

What is Rickie Fowler’s history at The Open heading into Royal Portrush?

Fowler clinched his spot at this year’s Open at the Memorial Tournament, where he claimed the only qualifying spot on offer.

He finished T7 at Muirfield Village as Scheffler emerged victorious, with Fowler now making his 14th appearance at The Open.

READ MORE: The Open Championship organisers have made a change to the bunkers to make them even more difficult at Royal Portrush

And the American ace impressed when many big names didn’t in Northern Ireland six years ago, finishing T6.

But he enjoyed his best week at Royal Liverpool in 2014, finishing T2 with Sergio Garcia as McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug.

This season on the PGA Tour, he has made 13 cuts from his 16 appearances, with one top 10 finish and six top 25s.