Fansided

The Open Championship 2019: Preview and predictions

By Luke Norris

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Open championship flags make their debut at Royal Portrush Golf Club on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Open championship flags make their debut at Royal Portrush Golf Club on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) /
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The Claret Jug during the media day at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Claret Jug during the media day at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images) /

The pick

The Open Championship shouldn’t be any more difficult to pick than the rest of the major championships but it always seems to be for me. You have no idea what the weather is going to do and how it’s going to affect each player individually and this year is worse because I’ve never seen any of these guys play this golf course. Outside of the research I did to prepare the look at Royal Portrush, I really have no idea what to expect this week.

Is Brooks Koepka a good pick? Absolutely. It’s a major championship. He’s won four out of his last nine, including one this year and two runner-ups, so it’s really hard to not go in that direction. But seeing as how I picked him to win the U.S. Open last month and he didn’t, I’ll stay away this time.

Would a Tiger win be fun? Again — absolutely. Is it likely? Probably not. I just haven’t liked what I’ve seen since Augusta and most of his wins over the years have come at courses that he knows and loves. That’s not the case at Royal Portrush. As I mentioned, Sergio or Spieth or Scott could be a lot of fun. A win for Rickie in No. 40 would be a blast.

Even some of the guys I didn’t mention here would be great. Hey, Lee Westwood is in the field this week and Rickie Fowler has nothing on him when it comes to major appearances without a victory. So that would be amazing. Dylan Frittelli just played his way into the field this past Sunday and could shock the world. There are so many talented players in this field that could hoist the Claret Jug on Sunday afternoon but I’m going the easy route here and going with the native, who also happens to be the betting favorite.

And the winner of the 2019 edition of The Open Championship is…

Rory McIlroy.

Yes, I’ve done this so many times and kicked myself for it when he’s let me down but the story is just too good. The Open Championship returns to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years and one of the best players of this generation, who just happens to be playing amazing golf this year, is a native of the country, has put himself in great position to win his first major in five years and shot the course record when he was 16. That story is just too good.

The crowds are going to be so loud for Rory when he’s out there and maybe the pressure does get to him. But I’m going the other way. I think he feeds off that energy and puts on a dominating performance that we’ll be talking about for years to come.

Rory McIlroy wins the 2019 edition of The Open Championship by five strokes at 12-under. Yeah, that’s bold. Book it.

Next. 10 best moments in the history of The Open Championship. dark

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