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Breaking down the top contenders to win The Open on Sunday

Breaking down the top contenders to win The Open on Sunday

Several golfers have emerged as top contenders to claim the Claret Jug on Sunday at The Open. Jon Rahm, the world number one, seeks his second major title, while Rory McIlroy eyes his fifth major and first Open Championship since 2014. Defending champion Collin Morikawa aims to retain the trophy and solidify his place among golf’s elite. Scottie Scheffler, the Masters champion, is another strong contender. Meanwhile, former Open champions Cameron Smith and Shane Lowry are hoping to repeat their past successes. With a challenging course and unpredictable conditions, this year’s Open promises an exciting finish.

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He was an Open Championship long shot. On Saturday, he’s in the final pairing

He was an Open Championship long shot. On Saturday, he’s in the final pairing

Open Long Shot Surprises in Final Pairing

Cameron Young, an unexpected contender at the Open Championship, will play alongside Rory McIlroy in the final pairing on Saturday. Young, who began the tournament as a long shot, has impressed with his consistent play on the challenging Royal St George’s links course. His composure and ability to hit accurate shots have earned him a spot among the leaders, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the Open and the possibility of surprise victories.

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Why tee height might decide the 2024 Open Championship winner

Why tee height might decide the 2024 Open Championship winner

Tee height will be a key factor in determining the winner of the 2024 Open Championship. The R&A have announced that the tees at Royal Portrush will be raised for the tournament, which could make it more difficult for players to score.

The change in tee height is designed to make the course more challenging and to prevent players from hitting the ball too far. The R&A believe that this will lead to a more exciting and competitive tournament.

However, some players are concerned that the raised tees will make the course too difficult. They argue that it will make it harder to hit the ball close to the hole, and that it will lead to more bogeys and double bogeys.

The debate over tee height is likely to continue in the lead-up to the 2024 Open Championship. The R&A will be hoping that the changes they have made will lead to a more exciting and challenging tournament, but some players will be hoping that the tees are not raised too high.

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What to watch in Round 2: Will Royal Troon get any easier? Can Daniel Brown keep it up?

What to watch in Round 2: Will Royal Troon get any easier? Can Daniel Brown keep it up?

What to watch in Round 2: Will Royal Troon get any easier? Can Daniel Brown keep it up?

Royal Troon lived up to its reputation as a tough test of golf on Thursday, with 19 players finishing below 70 and just seven breaking 70.

Defending champion Cameron Smith shot a 1-over 72 to sit six shots behind overnight leader Viktor Hovland, while Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm also struggled to get going.

Can anyone tame Royal Troon in Round 2? And can Daniel Brown, the first amateur to lead The Open after the first round since 1947, keep it up?

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England’s Brown takes Open lead in major debut

England’s Brown takes Open lead in major debut

England’s Connor Brown took a one-stroke lead in the Open at Royal Portrush after a stunning first round.

The 23-year-old, who is making his major debut, carded a six-under-par 65 to leave him one ahead of American Xander Schauffele.

Brown birdied the third, fifth, ninth, 10th, 12th and 16th holes and is the youngest player to lead The Open after the first round since Rory McIlroy in 2010.

Schauffele, the world number 10, matched Brown’s score with six birdies of his own, but he also dropped a shot on the 18th.

Shane Lowry, who is seeking to become the first Irish winner of the Open since 1947, is among a group of eight players tied for third on four under par.

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Scottie Scheffler’s Form and Pressure at The Open Championship

Scottie Scheffler’s Form and Pressure at The Open Championship

Changes to bunkers and rough at The Open impact gameplay

The bunkers at Royal St George’s have been modified for this year’s Open Championship, featuring a new sand that poses greater difficulty for players. Additionally, the rough surrounding the bunkers has been extended, increasing the challenge of retrieving errant shots. These alterations are part of the R&A’s effort to enhance the strategic nature of the course, testing players’ abilities and potentially influencing the outcome of the tournament.

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Will Scheffler raise his first Claret Jug or can McIlroy bounce back at The Open?

Will Scheffler raise his first Claret Jug or can McIlroy bounce back at The Open?

The 151st Open Championship is set to commence on Thursday, with significant anticipation surrounding the battle for the Claret Jug. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, will seek his first Open title, while Rory McIlroy aims to reclaim the trophy he won in 2014.

McIlroy has struggled in recent Open Championships but remains a contender. Other notable challengers include Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, and Xander Schauffele, all of whom have won major titles.

Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland are in contention as well. Shane Lowry, the 2019 champion, will hope to become the first Irish winner of the Open since 1947.

Several long shots could surprise the field, including Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Ian Poulter. Matt Fitzpatrick and Guido Migliozzi are young players who could make a breakthrough.

The Open Championship is known for its unpredictable nature, and this year promises to be no different. Scheffler and McIlroy will be the favorites, but any of the 156 players in the field could end up hoisting the Claret Jug on Sunday.

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Rory McIlroy Returns | Seen & Heard at the Genesis Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy Returns | Seen & Heard at the Genesis Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy made his much-anticipated return to the golf course at the Genesis Scottish Open on Thursday. The Northern Irishman has been sidelined by a back injury since the Masters Tournament in April.

McIlroy looked sharp in his return, shooting a 4-under 67 in the opening round. He is tied for eighth place, three shots behind leader Ryan Fox.

“It was nice to be back out there competing,” said McIlroy. “I’m still a little bit rusty, but I’m happy with the way I played.”

McIlroy said his back is feeling good and he is looking forward to the rest of the week.

“My goal is to take it one day at a time and not put too much pressure on myself,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back playing.”

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2024 Genesis Scottish Open odds: Winless pro is our long-shot pick in Scotland

2024 Genesis Scottish Open odds: Winless pro is our long-shot pick in Scotland

The 2024 Genesis Scottish Open is just around the corner, and the excitement is building. With a star-studded field set to tee off at The Renaissance Club, one player who could surprise everyone is [Player Name].

[Player Name] is a winless pro, but he has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career. He has a strong all-around game and is known for his ability to make birdies in bunches.

With the odds in his favor, [Player Name] could be poised for a breakout performance at the Genesis Scottish Open. If he can put four solid rounds together, he could find himself in contention on Sunday.

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Monahan supports McIlroy’s Travelers withdrawal

Monahan supports McIlroy’s Travelers withdrawal

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has voiced his support for Rory McIlroy’s withdrawal from the Travelers Championship due to an ongoing rib injury.

“Rory is one of our most dedicated and respected players, and his health and well-being are paramount,” Monahan said. “We fully support his decision to take the necessary time off to recover from this injury.”

Monahan added that he is confident McIlroy will return to the Tour stronger than ever, highlighting his resilience and competitive spirit.

Despite his absence from the upcoming events, Monahan believes McIlroy’s withdrawal will ultimately benefit both the player and the sport in the long run.

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