British Open: 5 bold predictions for the weekend at The Open Championship

2. Viktor Hovland will secure his first Top 5 in a major

Okay, considering that Hovland is T3 and three strokes behind Smith, this might not be the boldest prediction. At the same time, though, Hovland’s best finish in a major coming into The Open was a T12 at the US Open back when he was an amateur. Moreover, he’s struggled in the three majors of the 2022 calendar with a T27 at The Masters, T41 at the PGA and a missed cut at the US Open. So saying he’s going to finish strong would be something he’s literally not done as a professional.

What we’ve seen from Hovland so far this week, however, is extremely encouraging. After some recent letdowns in performance, he’s gone back to his DNA as a ball-striker, gaining 1.43 strokes on approach and 0.66 strokes off the tee over 36 holes. What’s been the big thing, though, is his around-the-green performance, an area he notoriously struggles in. The Norwegian has gained 1.15 strokes in that category thus far and has looked the part too with some nifty pitches and chips.

He’s found something at the Old Course and, though I don’t have him winning, this is going to be his first breakthrough at a major.

1. Rory McIlroy is still winning The Open Championship

The tune isn’t changing over here. From the start of the week, I’ve been banging the drum that Rory McIlroy was going to win at St. Andrews this week and that’s not changing.

Yes, we’re coming off of a round in which his distance behind the leader actually increased, going from two shots behind Cameron Young after Thursday to three strokes behind Smith after Friday. Moreover, he missed numerous short putts and seemingly didn’t put his foot on the gas.

Despite all of that, you could make the argument that McIlroy played the “bad round” people expect from him and is still tied for third and only three strokes off the lead (an important mark as 14 of the 15 Open Champions at St. Andrews have been within three strokes of the lead after 36 holes). He lost strokes with his short game and still shot 4-under. Moreover, he’s still never shot in the 70s at the Old Course during the British Open over six rounds.

Even with the “bad round” he’s still right there knocking on the door. And with the weekend ramping up, I expect Rory to rise to the occasion of history and deliver his first major championship in eight years.

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