Best bets
4pts win Rory McIlroy @ 13/2
2pts each-way Scottie Scheffler @ 15/2
1.5pts each-way Tommy Fleetwood @ 18/1
1pt each-way Adam Scott @ 66/1
1pt each-way Cameron Smith @ 14/1
0.5pt each-way Byeong-hun An @ 150/1
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1. RORY MCILROY
On the crest of a wave after Sunday’s dazzling Scottish Open triumph and bursting with confidence. Should have won last year’s Open but let down by his putter when push came to shove and allowed Cameron Smith to come past him. He’s the winner of the last Open at Hoylake and the result was never really in doubt after he led by by six at halfway. Main worry: lack of Majors since he bagged the Open and USPGA titles nine years ago. Can start making up for lost opportunities.
2. SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER
Deservedly world No. 1, incredibly consistent (top five last seven starts, two wins including the Players Championship before that). Brought up in Texas so will have learned how to use the wind to his advantage, a 20mph breeze off the River Dee unlikely to faze him. Masters champ last year, 10-2-3 in this year’s Majors. But there is a flaw – putter has gone cold, hence no wins since March. Impossible to leave out of calculations.
3. TOMMY FLEETWOOD
Long-haired lover not from Liverpool but not far away in Southport and in the form of his life, will have huge local support and boasts excellent Open credentials, notably runner-up to Shane Lowry in ferocious weather at Royal Portrush in 2019. Fifth in the US Open last month, would have finished third to Rory on Sunday but for last-hole double bogey. Has trouble locating the winning post but likely to be there or thereabouts on Sunday.
4. CAMERON SMITH
Untidy Aussie who challenges Fleetwood on the flowing locks front and defending champion after five-star come-from-behind performance at St Andrews. LIV defector hitting top form at the perfect moment by winning for the first time this campaign two weekends ago at the Centurion Club. Putter and scrambler extraordinaire, not so hot off the tee but top-ten in the last two Majors. Will need to steer clear of the fairway bunkers.
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5. ADAM SCOTT
Another Australian but different vintage. Should have won 2013 Open at Lytham – four ahead with four to play – but very relieved he didn’t as the man who benefited was Ernie Els, my 40/1 headline tip in The Sporting Life. Led in greens-in-regulation and ball-striking when fifth in 2014. Heading for his third course top-ten in different decades as he was eighth to Tiger in 2006. At 43 still believes he has an Open in him and 2023 results encouraging.
6. RESERVE: DUSTIN JOHNSON
Long, straight driver who often figures prominently in the Open. Shanked an iron OB at Royal St George’s when looking the likely winner in 2011 and looking dangerous at Hoylake three years later until tailing off into 12th place. Winner of two Majors, robbed by rules infringement of a third and last-green three-putt of a fourth. Topped world rankings for a total of 130 weeks before jumping on the LIV bandwagon where he led the first-year money list. Class act.
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