There are so many players who appear to have a genuine chance of winning The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, with the Southport venue generally considered the fairest course on the rota.
This year’s Open Championship is not struggling for storylines.
Which Brit will finish highest at The Open Championship?
Will a home favourite triumph at Royal Birkdale?
Tommy Fleetwood has a chance to win his first major on his doorstep, while Justin Rose is returning to the stage where he announced himself as a potential superstar back in 1998.
Scottie Scheffler is still looking to win for only the second time this year, while Rory McIlroy will feel that he has unfinished business after his third round scuppered his hopes of winning the Scottish Open.
The Golfing Gazette has taken on the unenviable task of ranking the top 10 players with the best chance of lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday.
10. Aaron Rai
With driving distance unlikely to be a key factor this week, Aaron Rai‘s accuracy could make him a dark horse once again. The Englishman knows he can win on the biggest stages having triumphed at Aronimink in May.
9. Justin Rose
Justin Rose is a sentimental pick as it would feel like a real shame if his career ended without an Open Championship victory. Birkdale would be a fitting venue for that win.
However, you never quite know which version of Rose is going to turn up at this stage of his career.
8. Tommy Fleetwood
Similarly, Fleetwood would be one of the most popular winners. He knows Birkdale better than most, but the course has changed considerably since he was a youngster.
The fact that Fleetwood has not won on the PGA Tour this year is a big concern. The occasion could also easily get to him.
7. Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark has arguably been the best player on the planet since The CJ CUP Byron Nelson, winning his second US Open title at Shinnecock Hills.
It has to have been an exhausting time for Clark. It would also be a big surprise if he received as many good breaks at Birkdale as he got in Southampton last month.
6. Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa has proven that he can win The Open Championship on a baked out golf course. He was also threatening to enjoy a phenomenal year before sustaining a back injury at The Players Championship.
His final round at the Travelers Championship was outstanding, but it would have been nice to have seen him playing the Scottish Open.
5. Jon Rahm
When Jon Rahm got off to an awful start at the Scottish Open, it appeared that another disappointing major display was on the cards.
But he fought back, and he is arguably going under the radar this week. He will not mind that at all.
4. Chris Gotterup
Chris Gotterup has shown over the last 13 months that he is a phenomenal competitor. He also does not appear to get overawed by the big occasion.
He finished third on his Open Championship debut last year. And he seems to have all the skills needed to thrive on the links.
3. Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick was in the mix to win the Scottish Open last week but felt that he did not get any bounces all week at The Renaissance Club.
He has moved his game to a completely different level this year. And he will feel that he has a point to prove after fading up against Scottie Scheffler at Royal Portrush last year.
2. Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler taking a missed cut at the Scottish Open so well feels ominous. He is the defending champion and he probably has not been written off so much at any stage over the last three years.
We are not writing Scheffler off at all. There would be a distinct feeling of, ‘of course he did’, if the world number one wins this week.
1. Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy wants to become golf’s ultimate prizefighter. He wants to win as many of the majors as possible, and no longer seems to mind if he upsets the PGA Tour with how he does it.
If McIlroy finds his top gear, no one can compete with him. It is a big if, admittedly, but he could definitely steal the show, particularly after not everything went to plan at the Scottish Open.
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