2024 Open Championship: Its Prep Time

Posted on July 15, 2024
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The Open returns to Royal Troon after last hosting an Open Championship in 2016 when Stenner outdueled Lefty. Before then, it was 2004 when Tood Hamilton triumphed and in 1997 before then, when Justin Leonard came home as Champion Golfer of the Year.

Designed by Willie Ferne in 1895 and then tweaked by MacKenzie of Augusta fame, the course is extremely challenging in the traditional weather conditions of wind, cold and rain.



Just like before the previous major, players are coming out of another Signature Event and can easily be considered jaded after a tough week at the Scottish Open. However, The Open takes no prisoners so everyone who has qualified will need to be at the top of their game for a most significant test.

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Last year we were treated to a cracker, although uneventtful last day at Hoylake when Harmie battled all and sundry to win easily. The course then played significantly tougher over the weekend as it firmed up. That toughness can be expected for the final major of the year, The Open Championship.

Weather forecasts are for cold, wet and windy weather all week, but the Scottish coast can throw turmoil and chaos within that, as you would expect and fear as a player.



Keep an eye open for the majorpunter changes introduced last year, with a no-subs option, adding a 6th pick and the addition of another wildcard. See the updated RULES on the site, which also include a no-sympathy approach to players withdrawing once the first tee shot has gone off.

In 2016, Stenson was in great form and had been so for a few years, though time was marching as he seeked his maiden major victory. It was a low scoring week, with the wind never getting to the levels that might come through this week.

Scoring was still tough and the 2 leaders established a significant gap to 3rd. Lefty opened with a lip out 63 before having the eventual winner Stenson storm past him on day 2.

The leading player on the consecutive majors list is Adam Scott who is coming off a strong showing at the Scottish Open, having lost out narrowly to local favourite Bobby Mac who is coming into Troon hot and steamy!


The Headliners:
The list of potential winners at a place like the The Open is wide open. The draw can favour a particular side and of course, its a week where players can find their Links games faster than others, just like in 2023 when Harmie came through, despite being chased in bad weather on Sunday by all the big guns.

The list of Open winners before reads a picture: Harmie (’23), Cambo (‘22), Collin (’21), Lowry (’19), Moli (’18). A real mixed bag.

Scottie, X & Rory are hot on everyone’s lists and obviously so. They have been in great form in 2024 so far, though only 2 are major winners so far this year. A huge void exists for Rory heading into Troon, but there is so much baggage being dragged around.


Every time Scottie tees it up, he seems unbreakable. His putter switch has done wonders for him, and that wedge game just keeps tracking on.

Rory was great at the US Open until he wasn’t. How can he not compete at an Open? Good form coming in, but the pressure on him is intense.


Then the band of youngsters chasing a 1st major (or a 2nd) is a powerhouse mix. So much talent in the mix, littering the top of the DATA GOLF RANKINGS.

Cambo, The Hov, aBerg, Fitzy, TKim, Jaco, Tommy Lad - just awesome talent to pick from. Would be great to see them make the step up at Pinehurst!

Obviously a few others amongst the chasers who are well known, but have struggled to break through in the big majors.


The Defending Champ:
Harmie has not been full of confidence in the major season thus far, though he had a reasonable start to the year. The course at Royal Troon might not play to his strengths, but his moment has come and he will be content with that.


The Field
The Open FIELD is a great mix of seasoned pro’s and then a strong list of qualifiers including players from the LIV and other global Tours, plus a variety of professionals and amateurs who went through various qualifying routes over the course of the previous 12 months.

The Open allows former champions to enter, up to the age of 55 so expect a few veterans to be in attendance. Lefty, Ernie & Tiger will be there though the cold weather on those bones might not be ideal.


For an in-depth analysis of the top candidates from CBS GOLF and GOLF DIGEST.

The Course and Surrounds
Royal Troon, is a great test, like every major, but is unique in its layout, contours and rough.
Its a great Links layout with penal bunkering, extremely undulating greens, strategic out of bounds posts and of course the great views of the sea.

Its most famous hole, The Postage Stamp, is a world’s great hole, but it also has great 4s and 5s, that will most frustrate and test players at the same time.


Potential Favourites:
Scottie
The world # 1, has been keeping a low profile, though when he pitches up, he invariably wins. Was tired at the US Open, but strides into Troon as clear favourite, buffered by some private links prep at nearby Turnberry.
X
Loves Links golf, loves major golf. He has come off the win at US PGA and is now ready to go again. Not always at home on the Links in terms of performance, he warmed up nice at the Scottish Open.
Rory
The years are marching on and he needs to get the US Open out of his head quickly. Nice top 5 at the Scottish Open, he knows he has bigger agendas ahead.


The Others:
The list of possible first timers at an Open is always long and many top contenders via DATA GOLF RANKINGS having never won a major.
aBerg: has all the shots, loves being in the mix, though the scar tissue might be mounting another near miss at the Scottish Open.
Collin: Still so young for a 2 major veteran and regained his major form at all the majors this year. Good links performer having won at St George’s and good form at the Scottish Open too.
SangJae: is he ready to compete again? Ball striker of rare ability, solid week at the Scottish Open.

As a reminder, keep an eye open for majorpunter changes, with us implementing a no-subs option, adding a 6th pick and the addition of another wildcard. See the updated RULES on the site, which also include a no-sympathy approach to players withdrawing once the first tee shot has gone off.