The Open: 5 Sunday match-ups we want to see at the 2018 British Open

By Kyle Walton | Jul 17, 2018

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Patrick Reed of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the seventh green during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 01: Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson wait on the seventh tee during round one of the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on March 1, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Ryan Young/PGA TOUR) /

3. Dustin Johnson vs. Justin Thomas

It’s a rarity when you get to see the true top two ranked contenders in any sport go head to head with the title up for grabs. If the stars align Sunday at Carnoustie golf fans will get to see the first and second in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) battle it out over the final round. Since winning his first major championship at the 2016 U.S. Open reigning world number one Dustin Johnson has been on a meteoric rise among golf’s elite.

After Johnson’s U.S. Open victory just over two years ago, he has won eight more tournaments leading to this year’s Open Championship. HIs two victories in 2018 alone have seen Johnson blow past the field. In January he won the Sentry Tournament of Champions by eight strokes in addition to the FedEx St. Jude Classic in June by six strokes.

Not only is Johnson leading the world ranks but he is also leading the pack in FedEx Cup points, scoring average and strokes gained tee to green. While he certainly has a commanding lead seemingly out of the gate in each event he enters DJ cannot rest on his laurels for even a second. If he does, the man right behind him in both OWGR and FedEx Cup, Justin Thomas will be ready to take his rightful place.

In more ways than one Thomas has seemingly found himself right behind Johnson for the better part of the past two years. Thomas trails in the rankings by one spot and over the same two-year stretch he has won seven events to Johnson’s eight. Despite his dominance, Johnson does trail Thomas in one area, FedEx Cup victories.

Last season Thomas turned in five tour victories including his first major at the PGA Championship on route to his first FedEx Cup title. Attempting to break down the tale of the tape in a match-up between Thomas and Johnson would be nearly impossible. The only clear way to settle the debate seems to be on Sunday at the 147th Open Championship.

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