Ah, the 145th staging of golf’s oldest championship and this week it’s Royal Troon taking its turn on the championship rota.
This stunning layout sits directly on the Firth of Clyde with the Ailsa Craig rising in the background.
It is home to perhaps the shortest hole in the Open rota — the Postage Stamp. It is barely 120 yards but can cause major havoc.
Royal Troon took its present form in 1888 and the last time The Open was contested here, Todd Hamilton was the fluke winner. Yes, a “fluke” because today it still remain his only claim to fame.
Will there be a “fluke” winner this week at Royal Troon? We say absolutely not so let’s get right to it and see who might hoist the Claret Jug on Sunday:
DUSTIN JOHNSON: How can Dustin Johnson not be the favorite to become “Champion Golfer Of The Year”? He has simply been dominate the last month and he’s now the No. 2 player in the world, playing better than No. 1 Jason Day or anyone else. He has nibbled at the Open Championship in the past but didn’t have his game in the order is now stands and his mental state was simply not stable enough. The U.S. Open title has let him relax and that has taken him to a new level.
JORDAN SPIETH: The Open Championship is most often won on pure grit and determination when all other factors are equal. When it comes to grit and determination, it’s hard to go against Jordan Spieth. If he can stay out of trouble, he should be a factor this week.
BRADEN GRACE: Here’s a guy who wouldn’t surprise anyone if he’s in the hunt on Sunday. He hasn’t gotten his game in high gear yet, but this could be the week. Has what it takes to contend, but can he withstand major championship pressure?
DANNY WILLETT: Europe’s best player. Needs to show up this week or we’ll start thinking his Masters victory was a fluke.
RORY MCILROY: Don’t like the fact that he’s been tinkering with his swing and he’s been inconsistent because of that. When he’s on, he’s really on. When he’s not, forget it. Throw in the fact that his putting is suspect and there are so very many question marks when it comes to McIlroy, still, he is one of the top four in the world.
JASON DAY: He has the highest ball flight in professional golf and that is not good when the wind blows on a links golf course. Day says he’s built to win the U.S. Open but he certainly is not built to win the Open Championship. Despite that, he’s shown he can contend and should have made the playoff at St. Andrews last year.
ADAM SCOTT: Needs to show us that he still deserves to be mentioned with these other favorites. Has the game but needs to bring it out, he cannot win with less than his “A” game.
HENRIK STENSON: We are convinced he will never win a major, but he still has a lot of game, especially when he can leave his driver in the bag. Best three-metal player in the world. Comes up lacking in short game and imagination and both of those are a must to win The Open.
BUBBA WATSON: Why are we even mentioning him? He hates golf in Europe. The talent level dictates he’s on the list, his mental state dictates he shouldn’t be.
PATRICK REED: Isn’t it about time this guy did something in a major? Reed got in a really nice warmup at the Scottish Open. He shot 67 on Sunday to sneak in a Top 10 so his game is tidy enough and he’s well adjusted to the time difference and the long hours of daylight.
ALEX NOREN: Sure he’s a longshot but how about a little respect for the 2016 Scottish Open champion?
SERGIO GARCIA: He’s had a heck of a year with his ball-striking. May be the best player in the world to never win a major. As we’ve said before, his mind is his biggest obstacle, that and his putting stroke. But with slowest greens at Royal Troon, maybe he can get past that.
JUSTIN ROSE: Has all the tools, depends on his putter and how his back is coming along.
SHANE LOWRY: Made a nice run at the U.S. Open for 54 holes but it wasn’t his time. Can he get himself in the hunt this week?
PHIL MICKELSON: Okay, okay, isn’t it about time everyone throw in the towel on Mickelson winning another major? Lefty shot 66 this past Sunday at Castle Stuart, tied for 13th and he’ll come to Royal Troon this week telling us how confident he is and how good he’s playing. Same as he did at the Masters and U.S. Open.
That should get the conversation rolling this week.
Unfortunately this new generation of American golfers has failed to produce another Tom Watson, who became the American “King Of Scotland” with his five victories, almost a sixth.
The one thing about the Open Championship that makes it so much fun is the unpredictable weather, the links terrain, the unforgiving rough and a silver jug that remains one of sports’ most iconic trophies.
