Thanks to the new schedule, “Glory’s Last Shot” now takes place at the Open Championship instead of the PGA Championship. This year’s Open Championship returns to Northern Ireland for the first time in over half a century as Royal Portrush is put on display for the world to see.
Here’s a look at how we’re doing overall this season:
We clearly aren’t experts.
* Two Inches Short won our bracket challenge even though he didn’t pick the WGC-Match Play winner.
Now, on to this week’s picks…
It’s no secret that when it comes to majors lately, Brooks Koepka has been about as dominant as one can be. Dating back to last year’s PGA Championship Brooksie has been defeated by a grand total of 2 golfers in major championships (Tiger at the 2019 Masters and Gary Woodland at the 2019 U.S. Open).
As if Brooks isn’t already a virtual lock on his own in majors, he has an even greater advantage this week than normal in caddie Rickie Elliot.
Elliot is not only a Portrush native, but he is also a member at Royal Portrush. He has spent virtually his entire life on the property of Royal Portrush, knows the course like the back of his hand, and can help guide Koepka throughout the course this week in a way that few to none can.
Brooks at a major these days is already as close to a sure thing as you can get. Add Brooks in a major with a caddie that can see the course in his sleep and it’s a no brainer.
This may shock some of you but we aren’t taking Tiger at the year’s final major. *GASP*
While our hearts are always with TW and we’ll obviously be rooting for #16, we’re picking Rickie Fowler to win the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Now 30 years old, Slick Rick has aged like a fine Red Bull and is ready to win that elusive first major. What better place to do it than in Rory’s backyard.
Fowler is 25/1 and hasn’t exactly been “trending” but he’s got a W already this year and loves links golf. The dude can putt the lights out and is one of the best bunker players in the game.
If he’s able to keep the ball in play off the tee and hit fairways (and avoid any terrible weather), there’s no reason why he won’t be in the mix Sunday afternoon.
Plus he’s been rocking that sweet mullet (apparently for charity) and is probably tired of standing on the 18th green congratulating all of his friends on winning majors.
What does PMI even mean, Rick? It means it’s his time.
It’s hard to pick anyone other than Brooks Koepka this week considering how he’s not only performed in majors, but at the Open Championship in his last three appearances (T10, T6, T39).
On top of that, Koepka’s caddie grew up right down the road from Royal Portrush and it’s no secret that he knows the course well.
However, I’m going to pick Big Rick!
Fowler has finished in the top-5 at the Open Championship twice in his career, in 2011 when he finished T5 at Royal St. Georges and in 2014 when he finished T2 at Royal Liverpool, so it’s not like he’s a longshot even though he has yet to win the “big one.”
He’s already got a win, as TwoInches mentioned above, this season as well as a T2 at the Honda Classic and three other top-10 finishes.
I think this week sets up nicely for Fowler.