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
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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.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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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 ….