You’ll guess that most of the past 10 champion golfers are still a threat when they win this year’s open title, but you can easily take a line in nearly half of the chances.
Over the past decade, we have seen new tours ruin the men’s professional competition, and a champion goes forward in this way after months of his public success.
Since 2020, which hasn’t happened due to Covid, we’ve been there since 2014 with Rory McIlroy, who has returned home and on his opening tee, everyone’s eyes will happen in 2019.
1. 2024Xander Schauffele – 69-72-69-65 (-9) – Royal Troon
It’s not too long, but Schauffele’s last two wins were Grand Slams. He beat Bryson DeChambeau last May and then quickly doubled his count by easily bogey in Troon on Sunday.
Part of this success was during Saturday’s game, when he scored 69 on foul conditions, when the scoring averages of the last 12 groups were under under 74. An injury hindered the start of his 2025 season as he missed two months, but while he hasn’t threatened his third big man yet, he’s making money every weekend this semester.
You might be guessing he will find his highest form later this year, with the only problem being that the Grand Slam is over.
2.2023 Brian Harman – 67-65-69-70 (-13) – Royal Liverpool
The Americans remain comfortable in the world’s top 30 and have a great chance of making a second Ryder Cup appearance later this year.
Another win in Texas this year, he seems to be staked well outside because there is not enough rain this year. It then poured it out in Liverpool (he was 125-1 shot), and he won six games.
Aside from his love of hunting, it still feels like we don’t know much about Harman, so here’s a little tidbit: golf is his only left-handed thing. He is one of three left-handed men holding up the fuchsia jug.
3. 2022CAM SMITH – 67-64-73-64 (-20) – St Andrews
The Australian came to Northern Ireland with missed cuts in his last four majors, and he looked like he was with the beasts who had won 64 times on the old court.
It would be foolish to knock on his form too many. He has three wins on the LIV Tour and has enough first 10 games this year (then are you crying?), but he still sits well.
The simple argument is to suggest that he has lost his appetite and the forefront, which is a more natural thing that he will soon work hard and soon start threatening the big people.
4.2021 Collin Morikawa – 67-64-68-66 (-15) – Royal St. George
Morikawa was only 28 years old earlier this year, even younger than Scottie Scheffler.
The last time Morikawa opened up in Porthush, Morikawa had just started Pro and now he has two majors and a top 10.
He should certainly win more. This year’s Bay Hill is a great example, but there are certainly not many wake-up calls.
Today, the standard is scary at the top of the game, and Morikawa is part of that conversation. His victory at Sandwich is memorable, and he won’t shoot for the last 31 holes in a few incredible up and down games on Sunday.
5. 2019 Shane Lowry – 67-67-63-72 (-15) – Royal Prothush
Lowry hasn’t made it to the top 10 in the world yet, but you won’t bet on that situation by the end of 2025.
Last year, he took two leads to the weekend at Troon before playing in the first nine games on Sunday but awaiting a second Grand Slam event.
It seems to be the most consistent form of the Irish production, his full-round game has been taken to a new level, but everything still points to a memorable week on the 2019 Dunluce link. Saturday’s 63 need to be talked about more, just like the winning margin of the Six-Shot. Absolute masterclass.
6. 2018 Francesco Molinari – 70-72-65-69 (-8) – Carnoustie
Molinari has been rather unstoppable for some time – Carnoustie’s weekend hero, then in Paris these five-fifths – the next year he probably added a green jacket to his sophomore green jacket, as “You know who” won 15 major victories as the Italians found water twice at the back nine.
Molinaris moved to Los Angeles when the pandemic began, and his game sadly went south. The 42-year-old will be on Portrush, but his other major waivers are now expired and his name is rarely on the rankings today.
7. 2017 Jordan Spieth – 65-69-65-69 (-12) – Royal Burkedale
Despite the recent evacuation, Spieth’s injury problem seems to be beyond his reach and he is likely to be a good bet for Portrush. His open record is underrated, although the entire makeup of his game gives himself something special on the link.
Given what he was able to produce in Kent’s spell, St. George in 2021 might always be a hassle, and so far, it’s easy for him to wear a hat trick. It’s always worth highlighting Spieth’s age – he’s still only 31 years old.
The Spieths are now looking forward to their third child, so we will most likely have another Diaper Factor Champion.
8. 2016 Henrik Stenson – 68-65-68-63 (-20) – Royal troon
The beauty of the Open’s return to Troon last year was that it reminded us of Stenson’s victory.
Xander Schauffele will win with -9, returning to 2016 Phil Mickelson’s three-thirds of the Swedes at -17. Hopefully we can remember correctly this is one of the two greatest duels in modern times.
It doesn’t mean that the only 49-year-old has now surpassed the 1,500 players in the world after he moved to Liv Golf in 2022, and today he is co-captain of the Mavericks along with Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
New employers in New Jersey had a victory early, but there was little else to yell.
9. 2015 Zach Johnson – 66-71-70-66 (-15) – St Andrews
Fun facts – Johnson’s playoff victory when Jordan Spieth threatened to a Grand Slam was his last on the PGA Tour. Next year, although he will still be eligible for this year’s signature event, he will be eligible for seniors.
He has been the captain of the Ryder Cup during the transition period, and he was defeated in Rome with his players two years ago, and he regained the top 10 this year at Augusta.
Now he is in the situation at No. 185 in the world, which is similar to his current tour distance, but putting is still working, so be aware of everyone who is the PGA Tour champion.
10. 2014 Rory McIlroy – 66-66-68-71 (-17) – Royal Liverpool
With McIlroy unplayed in the 2020 Open, and prompted the following question: It’s been 11 years since he won his single fuchsia jug.
You would imagine a lot of jugs when he won the silver medal at Carnoustie in 2007, but he only got a wire win at Royal Liverpool in CV.
Our mind flashes immediately to St Andrews when it is flooded with Cam Smith’s glory in 2022, and 2018 Carnoustie is his actual next step.
Now back to Royal Porthush, where he endured the opening ceremony of the nightmare and then resumed nearly advancement on Friday. Now, he is the Masters champion, the second in the world, and if he prevails on the land it may even be the highest point in Augusta.
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