This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
The Open Championship, it's truly a unique event on the PGA Tour each year. There are many things about the Open Championship that separate it from other events on the PGA Tour, one in particular is the start time for us on the other side of the pond. There's nothing like watching the leaders tee off in the morning, but that alone does not make the Open Championship special.
What makes it special, at least for those of us used to the PGA Tour, is the course AND the atmosphere. Whistling Straits in Wisconsin has been the sight of three PGA Championships, and while that links-style course is unique, viewers are always aware that it's being played on domestic soil. The Open Championship has a different feel to it, no matter the course; it always feels like something unique. Perhaps it's the unpredictable weather or maybe it's the look of the crowd or the British announcers, whatever the reason, it's an event that I look forward to each and every year.
With that in mind, let's take a quick peek ahead at the strategy one should employ this week. The Open Championship is unlike any of the other three majors, most notably because it brings obscure European golfers into the mix and improves the odds of decent European golfers. That said, it becomes a little too easy to go Euro-heavy this time of the year -- one look at the results of the last decade and you will see plenty
The Open Championship, it's truly a unique event on the PGA Tour each year. There are many things about the Open Championship that separate it from other events on the PGA Tour, one in particular is the start time for us on the other side of the pond. There's nothing like watching the leaders tee off in the morning, but that alone does not make the Open Championship special.
What makes it special, at least for those of us used to the PGA Tour, is the course AND the atmosphere. Whistling Straits in Wisconsin has been the sight of three PGA Championships, and while that links-style course is unique, viewers are always aware that it's being played on domestic soil. The Open Championship has a different feel to it, no matter the course; it always feels like something unique. Perhaps it's the unpredictable weather or maybe it's the look of the crowd or the British announcers, whatever the reason, it's an event that I look forward to each and every year.
With that in mind, let's take a quick peek ahead at the strategy one should employ this week. The Open Championship is unlike any of the other three majors, most notably because it brings obscure European golfers into the mix and improves the odds of decent European golfers. That said, it becomes a little too easy to go Euro-heavy this time of the year -- one look at the results of the last decade and you will see plenty of Americans have fared just as well. Unfortunately, there's no magic equation to figure out which Euro's will rise to the challenge and which Americans will bring their best game across the pond. Just like all the other majors, you must use your best judgement, but with the Open Championship, you can side with the Euro's if you need a tie-breaker when choosing.
This week: The Open Championship - Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland
Last Year: Zach Johnson shot a final-round 66 on his way to a playoff victory over Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Dustin Johnson
Spot one is generally reserved for the best golfer, who happens to be in the best form in the field, and that guy this week is DJ. Johnson is rolling like Day was rolling late last year and if he keeps it going, he will win this week. He's proven he can maneuver an Open Championship setup, so even though he's not entirely used to the style of play needed this week, he certainly can make the needed adjustments to win.
Jason Day
I'm not fond of Day's track record at the Open Championship, but he's overcome any obstacle in his path the last 24 months. Day doesn't appear to be peaking, but then again, who besides DJ is peaking now? When it comes to the mental side of the game needed to win an event like this, Day is at the top of my list.
Louis Oosthuizen
Oosthuizen has proven himself at the majors over the last decade, and while he's always a threat to win, he deserves more attention during this major as opposed to others. Oosthuizen won the Open Championship in 2010 and finished runner-up last year. While neither of those events were played at Royal Troon, it does go to show that he's capable of not only playing well at an Open Championship, but winning as well.
Sergio Garcia
Much like Oosthuizen, Garcia has proven to be a worthy combatant during the majors the last decade, but unlike Oosthuizen, he's been unable to get over the hump. Garcia certainly has the game to win a major, but does he have the mental toughness needed? That question likely won't be answered until he finally wins or eventually retires, but I'm in the camp that likes his chances this week, so I guess I believe he's got the mental game to win at least one major.
Adam Scott
If consistency is what you are looking for at the Open Championship, then Scott is your man. Again, they play a different course every year, but there's something to be said for guys who can work their way around a course with an Open Championship setup. Scott has proven he can do just that, time and time again. He's finished in the top 30 at this event in nine of the last 10 years and in the top 10 the last four years at this event.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Paul Casey
Although Casey cut his teeth on the European Tour, he's rarely fared well at the Open Championship. He does have a couple top-10s at this event, but for the most part, he's been a non-factor the last decade. Casey's form is also a bit off entering this week having missed the cut in two of his last three events on the PGA Tour.
Jason Dufner
Dufner is one American player who has never quite figured out the Open Championship. He's teed it up six times at this event and never cracked the top 25. He managed to make the cut in each of his last four starts here, but he hasn't gotten much done on the weekend. Perhaps the links-style courses just don't suite his eye.
Bubba Watson
Bubba can think himself out of contention at any time, but he's become accustomed to doing it at the Open Championship with regularity the last seven years. He does have a few decent finishes at this event during that time, but he's missed the cut more often than not at this event. Bubba has his tracks, but most are on this side of the pond.
Scott Piercy
This isn't going to be a popular fade this week, but the law of averages is about to catch up with Piercy this week. Piercy has finished runner-up in his last two starts on the PGA Tour and those two runner-ups were high quality as they came at the U.S. Open and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, but, and you know that there needs to be a but here, but, he's simply not at the level yet where he could post another high-end finish at a big event. It may not be based on sound logic, but when has logic ever come into play with this game?
Miguel Angel Jinmenez
Jimenez is often a trendy sleeper pick during the majors, but his effectiveness at the majors lately has begun to fall off. In addition to his trouble at the majors, his game overall is struggling as well. Jimenez has missed the last four cuts on the European Tour and doesn't seem ready to snap out of it this week.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Jim Furyk (T42) - $66,500; Season - $7,706,175
This week: Louis Oosthuizen - With DJ long gone and Day in my back pocket for the PGA, Oosthuizen is the best option. His game is custom made for the links-style course, and he's in pretty good form. He's also has the mental makeup of a guy who can win the big event.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 3,614
Rank: 24,322
This Week:
Group A: Dustin Johnson, Jason Day
Group B: Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Zach Johnson, Justin Rose
Group C: Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: N/A - N/A; Streak - 5
This week: Adam Scott - While I would feel comfortable using Oosthuizen in this spot, Scott is simply too reliable at this event. Scott hasn't missed a cut at this event since 2009 and finished inside the top 30 every year since.
