Adrian Mills provides his tips for the final major of the year, including an each-way bet and two double-chance selections.
Royal Troon is the venue for the final Major of the year, as the world’s top players battle it out for The Open Championship title.
US players are seeking a clean sweep of the big four titles in 2024, with American golfers having already won the Masters, US Open and US PGA already this year.
Can the Europeans or the rest of the world stars end that run? Here are our best bet suggestions ahead of the four days of competition on the Ayrshire coast.
Selections
Outright – Collin Morikawa E/W @ 14/1
Double Chance – McIlroy/Aberg @ 9/2
Double Chance – Morikawa/Fleetwood @ 17/2
Morikawa getting back to his best
It’s been three years since Collin Morikawa lifted the Claret Jug at Royal St George’s, capping a brilliant 18 months for the man from Los Angeles.
Morikawa had already won the US PGA Championship in 2020 and many felt the titles would be the first of many Majors for the American.
Things haven’t gone to plan though, with the 27-year-old winning just one PGA Tour title since 2021, although he has got an impressive record in the big-four events.
Following his win at Sandwich, Morikawa has recorded four top-five and one top-10 finish in the Majors. His record in this year’s Majors reads T3-T4-T13.
He also goes into this week’s Open in fine fettle. He hasn’t missed a cut since March and his last seven events have seen him claim four top-five finishes and three top-20s.
Morikawa’s performance last week also highlights his liking for links golf, with four sub-70 rounds seeing him finish T4 at the Scottish Open.
Ryder Cup heroes can shine
Much has been written and said about Rory McIlroy and how he would bounce back following his heartbreak at the US Open.
The Northern Irishman took three weeks off before returning to action at the Scottish Open and he looked refreshed and ready to go again in his search for a fifth Major.
McIlroy eventually finished T4, just four shots behind winner Robert MacIntyre, following consistent rounds of 65-66-67-68 across the four days.
He also has happy memories of Troon, having finished T5 there in 2016 following a final round 67.
Another player in fine form heading into this week is Ludvig Aberg, who led for much of the Scottish Open before eventually finishing T4 after a final round 73.
It might seem strange tipping up someone in his first Open, but the Swede has already proven he can adjust to any challenge – highlighted by his second-place finish on his Masters debut.
Fleetwood eyeing first Major
We’ve already discussed the merits of Morikawa, but Tommy Fleetwood looks equally as likely to get his hands on the Claret Jug at Troon.
The Merseysider started with an opening round 65 in Aberdeen last week and recent performances have seen him move up to 12 in the world and 25th in the FedEx Cup standings.
It’s also worth noting that Fleetwood has three top-10 finishes in The Open in the last four stagings.
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