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The Open Championship Preview & Picks - Best Bets For Royal Portrush
- Star-studded field gathered at Royal Portrush for the 153rd Open Championship
- Key contenders: Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Russell Henley
- McIlroy aims for a second Claret Jug; others seek to make a significant mark
Rory McIlroy (Getty Images)
A star-studded field is heading to Royal Portrush for this week's Open Championship, but who will lift the Claret Jug on Sunday?
Xander Schauffele returns to defend his title after a two-stroke victory over Billy Horschel and Justin Rose in 2024.
These are our selections that could win the 153rd Open Championship this weekend.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy has been in tremendous touch on the PGA Tour this season, securing victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Players Championship, and the Masters, becoming the sixth golfer to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Other notable performances achieved by McIlroy this year include placing T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (DP World Tour), T17 at the Genesis Invitational, T15 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T5 at the Texas Children's Houston Open, T12 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T7 at the Truist Championship, T19 at the U.S. Open, T6 at the Travelers Championship, and T2 at the Genesis Scottish Open last weekend.
The five-time Major winner's best results at the Open Championship since 2009 include a T3 in 2010, victory in 2014, T5 in 2016, T4 in 2017, T2 in 2018, 3rd in 2022, and T6 in 2023.
McIlroy has been in great shape this season and can lift the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush this weekend.
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland struggled with his game during the first two months of the PGA Tour season, missing the cut four times in his six starts before bouncing back to form by winning the Valspar Championship.
Hovland has remained in solid form since that result, placing T21 at the Masters, T13 at the RBC Heritage, T54 at the Truist Championship, T28 at the PGA Championship, T25 at the Memorial Tournament, 3rd at the U.S. Open, W/D at the Travelers Championship, and T11 at the Genesis Scottish Open.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner has contested the Open Championship on four occasions, finishing T12 in 2021, T4 in 2022, T13 in 2023 and MC in 2024.
Hovland has been thereabouts in recent months and can emerge victorious in Northern Ireland this weekend.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick battled to find his footing in his first ten tournaments on the PGA Tour this season, with his best results being a T24 at the Sentry and a T22 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
However, Fitzpatrick has been in excellent touch since May, placing T23 at the Truist Championship, T8 at the PGA Championship, T31 at the Memorial Tournament, T38 at the U.S. Open, T17 at the Travelers Championship, T8 at the Rocket Classic, and T4 at the Genesis Scottish Open last weekend.
The former U.S. Open champion has made eight appearances at the Open Championship, with results of MC in 2016, T44 in 2017, MC in 2018, T20 in 2019, T26 in 2021, T21 in 2022, T41 in 2023, and T50 in 2024.
Fitzpatrick appears to have turned the corner and offers excellent value at Royal Portrush this weekend.
Russell Henley
Russell Henley was in top form at the beginning of his season on the PGA Tour, placing T30 at the Sentry, T10 at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T5 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T39 at the Genesis Invitational, T6 at the Cognizant Classic, and victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Henley lacked consistency after those results, finishing T30 at the Players Championship, MC at the Masters, T8 at the RBC Heritage, T46 at the Truist Championship and MC at the PGA Championship.
However, Henley has regained form in his subsequent three starts, placing T5 at the Memorial Tournament, T10 at the U.S. Open, and T2 at the Travelers Championship.
The five-time PGA Tour winner has featured ten times at the Open Championship, finishing T73 in 2013, MC in 2014, T20 in 2015, MC in 2016, T37 in 2017, MC in 2018, MC in 2021, T62 in 2022, MC in 2023, and 5th in 2024.
Henley has been playing well lately and is the long-shot value bet in Northern Ireland this weekend.
Verdict
McIlroy comes into this tournament on the back of superb results and has every chance of winning the Open Championship for the second time come Sunday.
Hovland has been in solid touch since March and has the game to win his maiden Major at Royal Portrush this weekend.
Fitzpatrick has found some form lately and could upstage the others with a victory in Northern Ireland this weekend.
Henley has done no wrong this season and has the form to secure the Claret Jug for the first time come Sunday.
Hovland has been in solid touch since March and has the game to win his maiden Major at Royal Portrush this weekend.
Fitzpatrick has found some form lately and could upstage the others with a victory in Northern Ireland this weekend.
Henley has done no wrong this season and has the form to secure the Claret Jug for the first time come Sunday.
Rory McIlroy
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Viktor Hovland
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Matt Fitzpatrick
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Russell Henley
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