Gulf News selections to watch at this week’s Open, which makes a welcome return to the schedule after last year’s edition was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Jon Rahm: The World No. 1 is firing on all cylinders right now and will be the man to beat at Royal St George’s after a string of stellar results including a Major breakthrough at the US Open. The 26-year-old’s love of links golf was shown with two victories at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open over Portstewart and Lahinch in 2017 and 2019 respectively but has failed to crack the top 10 in his four appearances at The Open. Rahm looks set to put an end to that this week as he bids to become just the second Spaniard to lift the Claret Jug after the late, great Seve Ballesteros, who was crowned Champion Golfer of the Year for the third and final time in 1988.
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Louis Oosthuizen: The South African star always brings his ‘A’ game to Major Championships but has struggled to get over the line and add to his Open triumph in 2010 with six runner-up finishes in golf’s biggest events since then. Oosthuizen accomplished golf’s runner-up Grand Slam in 2017 at the PGA Championship, before adding two more seconds this year at Kiawah Island and Torrey Pines. Despite his struggles of getting the job done, the 38-year-old remains a force to be reckoned with and you wouldn’t back against the nine-time European Tour winner sealing a second Open Championship at Royal St George’s.
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Richard Bland: One of the form players on planet golf right now after finally winning a European Tour title at 479th attempt with a play-off triumph over Guido Migliozzi at the Betfred British Masters. The 48-year-old backed that victory up with a third-place finish at the Made in Himmerland presented by FREJA before reaching the dizzying heights of leading the US. Open at Torrey Pines in just his second outing at America’s national open. The Englishman predictably dropped down the leaderboard to finish in a share of 50th but a tie for fourth at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open showed his form is on an upward trend as he looks to follow in Darren Clarke’s footsteps by winning The Open in his 40s at Royal St George’s.
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Brooks Koepka: Mr Major himself — Brooks Koepka. The 31-year-old has won eight times on the PGA Tour, and four of those have been at Major Championships: The 2017 and 18 US Opens, and the 2018 and 19 PGA Championships. Came close to adding to that total with top fives in both of those events earlier this year while a win at the Phoenix Open in February proved he can’t keep out of the winner’s circle for too long after missing out on silverware in 2020. Has finished inside the top 10 in three of his last four appearances at The Open so don’t be surprised to see him in the mix come Sunday afternoon in Sandwich.
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Jordan Spieth: Rose from the ashes in Texas earlier this year to pick up his first title since winning The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Comes into the event having not played since the US Open nearly a month ago but that shouldn’t be a problem for this maverick, who boasts seven cuts made in his seven starts at golf’s oldest Championship. A return to links golf is sure to get the creative juices flowing once again and his full repertoire of shot-making will need to be on display if he is to lift the Claret Jug for the second time.
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Bryson DeChambeau: A bit like Marmite — some people love him, some hate him. But whatever you think of the big-hitting American, when he’s game is on song, he’s an incredible talent who has changed the way the game is played by overpowering many a course. Has missed the cut on two of this three appearances at the event and will be playing The Open for the first time since transforming into the Hulk so it remains to be seen whether his new approach to the game will work over an expansive links course.
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Viktor Hovland: Europe’s most promising youngster, arguably the world’s, is a ball-striking machine who will be hoping to emulate his impressive form by the coast in the States at Royal St George’s. The two-time PGA Tour winner will be playing in his first Open Championship but does have course knowledge having competed at the 2017 Amateur Championship here in 2017, where he failed to advance to the matchplay section after a disappointing 75. Recently made history by becoming the first Norwegian to win on the European Tour and, despite being only 23, is destined to win a Major Championship one day. Could it come here?
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Shane Lowry: The defending champion blew away the field at that glorious weekend at Portrush in 2019, where it felt like the whole of Ireland was along for the ride. Hasn’t won since then but a top-five finish at this year’s PGA Championship coupled with his two best efforts at The Masters confirm his love for the big stage. Good friends with European Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington, who won this event back-to-back in 2007/08 — Can Lowry produce the same heroics as he looks to cement his spot in Harrington’s side at Whistling Straits? I can’t see it but I certainly wouldn’t back against it.
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Will Zalatoris: The Californian-native burst on to the scene with a runner-up finish at The Masters earlier this year and has continued to impress despite not holding full PGA Tour membership. In addition to his heroics at Augusta National, the 24-year-old has finished inside the top ten at both the PGA Championship and US Open and will be looking to continue that trend as he plays The Open for the first time. Could easily be mistaken for Happy Gilmore’s caddie but this youngster has game and it will be interesting to see how it fares in just his second appearance on European soil after a decent showing at the Scottish Open.
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Matt Fitzpatrick: One of the game’s most consistent performers is due a shot at Major Championship glory and if all the pieces of the puzzle fit into place at Royal St George’s it could be a memorable week for the Englishman. Has won the DP World Tour Championship on two occasions, including the last edition, and came close to a second Rolex Series victory last week with an impressive outing at Renaissance Club. The 26-year old’s driving has improved dramatically over the last year and that, coupled with the fact he is one of the best players with an iron in his hand, make him a firm choice for a shot at Open Championship glory. The experience of Billy Foster by his side only greatens his chances.
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