5 European Golfers Who Are Poised to Win 2021 Open Championship

With the new PGA Tour schedule that was implemented in 2019, the Open Championship will serve as the final major tournament on the professional golf schedule for the second time. The 2020 edition of the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.

With the Open Championship, also known as the British Open, being considered the premier tournament for the majority of European golfers, there are a handful of Euros that are primed to take a run at being the Champion Golfer of the Year.

Europeans have won the last two straight editions of the tournament, with Irishman Shane Lowry entering as the defending champion and Francesco Molinari winning in 2018. Europeans have also won three of the last four, and four of the last six.

Here are five Europeans who have a great chance to win the 2021 Open Championship.

Jon Rahm +1000

Fresh off his first major championship at the US Open, Jon Rahm is the deserving favorite to win the Open Championship. Not only did he win the US Open at Torrey Pines, but Rahm took over Dustin Johnson as the number one ranked golfer in the world.

Despite having a plethora of experience playing in Europe, the Spainard hasn’t found the success at the Open Championship that he’s had at the other three Majors. The Open is the only major that Rahm hasn’t had a top 10 finish at, but he does have a T11 finish at the 2019 edition of the event. He finished T59, T44, and had a missed cut in his other three starts.

Rahm leads the PGA Tour in total strokes gained this season at 2.028, so it would come as a surprise to no one if he can capture his second straight Major.

Rory McIlroy +1200

McIlroy was in contention at the US Open on Sunday before a stretch of two holes in which he played at three over par ruined his chances. While a T7 finish isn’t what he wanted heading into the week, it’s a promising sign. McIlroy was all out of sorts at the beginning of the 2021 season that saw him miss the cut at both the Players Championship and the Masters, but he broke his winless streak at the Wells Fargo Championship in May.

McIlroy has five top 5 finishes at the Open, including a win in 2014. The last time the event was held at Royal St George's Golf Club, McIlroy finished T25, so he has experience at this year’s host course.

Keep an eye on McIlroy throughout these next few weeks, and if he’s able to string together some solid starts, expect him to be in contention for his fifth Major come July.

Tommy Fleetwood +3000

Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are the obvious choices for Europeans who will compete at this year’s Open Championship, but now it’s time to take a look at a few golfers who may be considered a dark horse.

Fleetwood is trending in the right direction with his Open Championship results, as his last three starts at the event he’s turned in finishes of T27, T12, and then a solo 2nd in 2019.

The Englishman hasn’t had as strong of a season as he had hoped, as he ranks 82nd on the Tour in total strokes gained, and he only has two top 10 finishes. If he’s able to gain some momentum in the coming weeks, he could contend in his home country.

Tyrrell Hatton +3000

The always fun to watch Tyrrell Hatton has a handful of big wins on the European Tour, including this year’s Abu Dahbi HSBC Championship, but he’s still waiting to get his first Major Championship.He broke through on the PGA Tour in 2020 with a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, so a major victory is the logical next step.

He has plenty of experience at links style courses, Hatton will feel right at home at Royal St. Georges Golf Club. He currently ranks 21st on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained, and he’s found success at the Open Championship in the past, including a T5 finish in 2015.

Hatton is known to play well in tough conditions, so if the winds are blowing in July, look for him to be in contention on Open Championship Sunday.

Paul Casey +4000

If the Englishman is ever going to win a Major, now might be the time for him to do it. Casey will be competing in his home country, and will be one of the most experienced golfers in the field. He has 12 top 10 finishes in Major Championships, including two at the Open. He also finished T54 in 2011, the last time it was hosted at Royal St. Georges Golf Club.

Despite not having a win on the PGA Tour this season, he has six top 10 finishes and he currently ranks 13th in total strokes gained. He may just present the best value on the board among all Europeans.