The Open Championship 2019: Preview and predictions

A preview of the 2019 edition of The Open Championship from Royal Portrush Golf Club, including a look at the top 10 in the world, five stories that could be fun on Sunday and a prediction of the winner.

The 2019 edition of The Open Championship, which takes its new place on the golf calendar as golf’s final major of the year, begins this Thursday at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, marking the first time in 68 years that the sport’s final major will take place outside of England or Scotland. 156 players representing 29 countries will tee it up for one last shot at glory and the field is absolutely stacked.

There are 15 former champions in the field this week, including defending champion Francesco Molinari, who had a magnificent final round a year ago at Carnoustie to win his first major title, becoming the first Italian-born player to do so.

Also in the field is three-time winner and reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods, who is looking for major win No. 16 this week. Henrik Stenson, who set the all-time scoring record in a major with his win at The Open three years ago, is also in the field, as is the man he beat that day, Phil Mickelson, who claimed this title six years ago with a brilliant final round of his own.

Jordan Speith, whose last win came at this very tournament two years ago, will be looking to add a fourth major to his resumé. Louis Oosthuizen and Zach Johnson are looking to add a second Open Championship title, as is 2014 champ Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irishman who comes in as the favorite to win in his home country. This should be an amazing week on an amazing golf course, so let’s begin our preview of the 2019 edition of The Open Championship by taking a quick look at Royal Portrush.