Tour News
The Open Championship: Picks and Preview
Just a shade more than a month after golf’s last major, it’s time for another. The Open Championship — or British Open, if you prefer — will be contested at the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
If you don’t recognize that course name, try this one: Muirfield, as the course is more commonly referred to, plays host to the Open Championship for the 16th time. Last year’s Open winner was the winner last time the event was held at Muifield. In other words, Ernie Els won at East Lothian’s iconic links venue in 2002.
Els, of course, is in the field this week, having returned the Claret Jug in a “but do I have to?” manner to the R&A in a fabulously staged exchange the other day. As for the rest of the field, it is predictably strong: 23 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings, and 29 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking will be teeing it up in Scotland.
Muifield is popularly regarded as the fairest of the venues in the Open rota. For whatever that’s worth, the course has produced great champions: Els, Faldo, Watson, Nicklaus, Player, Hagen and Vardon have all won at the 7,192-yard par-71 layout.
Here’s a look at who could be collecting the roughly $1.5 million winner’s check. Click here to see the full list of Open Championship odds.
Tiger Woods: 8-1 odds*
The world No. 1 enters the season’s third major the way he entered the first two: as the favorite. Much has been made about the health of Woods’ elbow entering the week. The golfer insists it is fine, however, despite limiting his practice rounds to nine holes.
Tiger won’t need to hit a lot of drivers this week. If his elbow holds up and he can master the pace of Muirfield’s greens, we may be in for a repeat of his clinical victory at Hoylake in 2006. We have to assume he’s practiced the short game, which has betrayed him at times this year, extensively in preparation for this week. As an expert tactician and historically fabulous links player, Woods is rightfully the favorite this week.
Again, unless he struggled with the flatstick or suffers a flare up of elbow issues, Tiger ought to be in position to win down the stretch on Sunday afternoon (or morning, depending on which side of the pond you’re on).
Justin Rose: 16-1 odds
The U.S. Open champion looked a bit worse for wear following the whirlwind tour one’s first major victory demands in the present age. He’s only put a peg in the ground once since triumphing at Merion, finishing 13th at the Travelers Championship, so we can assume he comes to East Lothian well-rested and well-practiced.
He’ll be looking to pull what many are referring to as an “Andy Murray” — winning the U.S. Open, followed by the British major tournament, The Open. Rose hits it straight and hits greens. Obviously, he’s no stranger to links golf and is abundantly capable, although he’s never bettered the T4 finish he had in The Open as an amateur in 1998, which announced him to the golf world. Although he’s ranked 137th in strokes gained-putting, he seems comfortable with his new putter. Rose has a real shot at the major brace (as they say in soccer/football) this week.
Phil Mickelson: 16-1 odds
Phil Mickelson recently declared that he has a hate-love relationship with links golf: He used to hate it, now he loves it. Of course, much of this could have to do with his win at last week’s Scottish Open. Always a streaky player (often within the span of a few holes), Mickelson has the hottest hand heading into the third major of the year.
He’ll have a little added motivation due to his near miss at the U.S. Open, too. Phil’s putting has been steady this year, and it’s surprising that his imagination hasn’t benefitted him more at past Opens. However, as a high-spin, high-ball hitter who often struggles with accuracy, his lack of past success is understandable.
The bottom line for Phil: If he hits it straight, he’s can win handily this week.
Graeme McDowell: 22-1 odds
McDowell has been either feasting or…famine-ing lately: The Ulsterman has won three of his last eight starts, but missed the cut in the other five. He should be able to build off of a solid showing at last year’s Open Championship at Royal Lytham where his finished tied for fifth.
McDowell hasn’t played in two weeks, which doesn’t give us a great indication of his present form. However, with missed cuts in his last two events, the recent pattern suggests a dramatic swing of the pendulum, and another major for G-Mac this week. McDowell’s propensity for missing greens this year is worrying (he’s only hitting about 62 percent in regulation) at a course like Muirfield, as is his poor short iron play. However, if he’s dialed-in on approaches, he should be able to putt well enough to win.
Brandt Snedeker: 33-1 odds
He seems to be healthy (enough) after lingering rib issues. Snedeker has the skills to win, to be sure, and, at 32, he now has the experience as well.
Snedeker tied the 36-hole scoring record at last year’s Open, which is further evidence of his comfort with a links-style Open Championship setup. His pop stroke should help him roll home birdies and crucial pars on the slightly slower greens the R&A favors.
The hottest player on Tour earlier this year, Snedeker looks to continue the trend of 32-year-olds winning majors this year.
*Odds from Bovada
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- LIKE10
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
- LIKE15
- LEGIT2
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE12
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Brandel Chamblee says this is the primary reason why Rory McIlroy hasn’t won a major in 10 years
-
Whats in the Bag5 days ago
Tiger Woods WITB 2024 (May)
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Report: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Equipment2 weeks ago
Details on Justin Thomas’ driver switch at the Wells Fargo Championship
-
News2 days ago
Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks ago
Team McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Keegan Bradley WITB 2024 (May)
Krist
Jul 17, 2013 at 3:56 pm
What happened to the pictures for the tourneys??
Troy Vayanos
Jul 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm
I like Brandt Snedekers chances and at 33/1 he represents excellent value. Was in the mix at the Open last year and this years US Masters.
This could be his time!
Mike
Jul 17, 2013 at 9:54 am
Sergio’s time
aliceryder
Jul 17, 2013 at 12:53 am
So excited for the Bristh Open! I wonder when will Tiger get the record again? I’m missing him winning, hopefully by this time! fingers crossed! : )
chacha
Jul 16, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Just for your information, McDowell has win L’open de france … just 2 weeks ago ….