Links golf is a unique test, and one that players can have a love/hate relationship with, but you simply have to get to grips with the challenges it presents to stand a chance of winning The Open.
Eight of the last 10 players to lift the Claret Jug had a previous top 10 in The Open to their names, so showing a fondness of seaside golf is obviously pretty crucial.
But what sort of Open Championship form do the top contenders at Royal Portrush possess?
We know Rory McIlroy has a Claret Jug tucked away in his trophy cabinet, but what of Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and the other leading lights?
Let’s take a look at the main contenders.
Scottie Scheffler
Open form (most recent first): 7-23-21-8
The World No.1 has been there our thereabouts on all four Opens, with top 10s on his debut at St Georges and last year at Troon – and he’s entered the final round in contention three times.
His Scottish Open eighth was solid enough, but he was poor around and on the greens and just has to improve that Achilles heel of his to stand a chance on his first visit to Portrush.
Portrush 2019: DNP
Rory McIlroy
Open form: MC-6–3-46-MC-2–4–5–1-MC-60-25-3-47-42
A winner at Hoylake and the first of four straight top-five finishes, and two more top sixes since including letting a big chance slip at St Andrews three years ago – it’s clear McIlroy knows what he’s doing on the links. You can put a line through missing the cut last year at Troon on the back of his US Open heartbreak at Pinehurst.
Portrush 2019: 79-65 (MC)
Emotions got the better of him on home soil with a disastrous start to a disastrous opening round, but that Friday 65 was incredible, just pure sporting theatre as Portrush roared him on during his ultimately unsuccessful quest to make the cut. I don’t think he’ll make that mistake again.
Jon Rahm
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Open form: 7–2-34-3-11-MC-44-59
A solid run Rahm’s put together in The Open and his trump card this year is it being played in Ireland, where he just loves to tee it up as a two-time Irish Open champion. Those wins have come on true links courses too, including Portrush neighbor Portstewart so strong vibes for the Spaniard this week.
Portrush 2019: 68-70-68-75 (T11)
His 11th here at Portrush – where he also played in the 2014 Amateur Championship -…
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