This Week: After a brief layoff, Picks Six returns in time for the Open Championship. The last of the major championships takes place at Royal Birkdale, perhaps the fairest of all the Open locations. There are no blind shots here; it’s a case of what you see is what you get. This year, the course is playing fast and firm with fairways like pavement. The temperatures are into the mid-20s and the sun is expected to shine throughout the week. Wind will be a constant, and it will change directions throughout the day, meaning players will need to keep a watch on just how it is affecting each hole.
To Win
Rory McIlroy +950
McIlroy has built his season around peaking at the major championships and so far, he’s got a win at the Masters and another top 10 at the PGA Championship. His game seems solid from tee to green and his explosiveness off the tee could be a key on a course where driving greens is possible. It’s been a dozen years since he last won the Open so he is overdue.
Tommy Fleetwood +1500
The only story that could top local boy Tommy Fleetwood holding the Claret Jug on Sunday might be a World Cup victory by England. Fleetwood is more than just a feel-good hope because he grew up in this area – he is playing some solid golf of late. His last five finishes have been inside the top 14. He sits fourth in Strokes Gained: Total.
Top 10
Matt Fitzpatrick +145
Another Englishman who should be in the thick of the competition. He comes in with three wins and eight top 10s (including a runner-up at the RBC Canadian Open) so far this season. He is third in greens in regulation but 84th in Strokes Gained: Putting. He’ll need to get that putter working a little better to have an impact this week.
Viktor Hovland +250
You never quite know what you’re going to get with Viktor Hovland. That’s evidenced by a four-tournament stretch where he missed the cut at the PGA then came third at the RBC Canadian Open, missed the cut at the U.S. Open but won the next week at the Travelers. He played well at the Scottish Open with a tie for 13th that included a 64 on Sunday. He’s simply too good to overlook at a decent value.
Top 20
Chris Gotterup +184
All this guy has done this year is win three times. Oh, and he also finished third at The Open last year. Long off the tee although maybe a bit wayward, hits a lot of greens and is a solid putter. What’s not to like?
Min Woo Lee +200
Coming in hot after a runner-up finish at the Scottish Open, Lee is good off the tee and has a solid all-around game. He ranks 20th in scoring average meaning he finds a way to post low scores and avoid the big numbers. Everyone expects Lee to break out one week and this could be it.
Extras
Top Lefthander
Robert MacIntyre +100
Top 10s in his last two starts; one of the best putters in the game
To win – Corales Puntacana Championship
Taylor Pendrith +1800
Great odds for a guy who just finished runner-up
