The last time The Open was hosted at Royal Troon in 2016 we saw one of the most famous duels between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson. This brilliant battle outrivaled the 1977 original Duel in the Sun between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry, now known as the “Duel of the Sons.”
Coming into Sunday, Stenson (-12) held a one-shot lead over Mickelson (-11), which did not last long after a Mickelson birdie and Stenson bogey on the first. From the first hole it was a back-and-forth battle between Mickelson and Stenson who were seven shots ahead of everyone else by the time they finished the fourth hole. Laura Davies, commentating at the 145th Open, exemplified the championship level of golf being played, saying, “It’s staggering, really, because you see all these players, they’re missing greens, they’re struggling a little bit and [Mickelson and Stenson] keep hitting fairways and greens and chugging along.”
Sunday was concluded by Stenson draining another mid-range putt for his tenth birdie of the day to go four-under in his last five holes, carding a 63 and setting the Open record for aggregate score at 20-under par.
As The Open returns to Royal Troon, maybe another historic finish awaits.
Key hole: #8 – Postage Stamp
Small, but mighty. The “Postage Stamp” at Royal Troon Golf Club is one of the shortest holes in major championship golf. However, despite its length, it is one of the most daunting tee-shots based on the design and green contours. With two bunkers placed on the left side of the green, a crater bunker blocking the approach, and two deep bunkers placed on the right side of the green an accurate tee-shot is required, or else hardship will be faced. Do not let the stroke index of 18 on the scorecard fool you—there are many slight complexities to this hole, especially in links weather conditions. Expect this world-famous hole to become a key part of the narrative this week.
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The Contenders
Scottie Scheffler
How can you ignore him? With six wins since the start of the calendar year, Scheffler has been on a Tiger-like tear and has his eyes set on his second major of the season. Scheffler has teed off for three Open Championships with his best finish being T-8, which doesn’t exactly suggest he’ll run away with this one. Hopefully, he can adapt his game to the links-style and add a second major to his already impressive season.
Rory McIlroy
Coming off a couple of disappointing putts that cost him the U.S. Open title, we can expect to see McIlroy bounce back and contend for the Open Championship. With one win, three T-2 finishes, and one T-3 finish, we know Rory can perform on a links course.
Bryson DeChambeau
Fresh off his entertaining U.S. Open victory, DeChambeau looks to continue his 2024 major championship tear, having finished T-6 at the Masters, second at the PGA along with the win at Pinehurst No. 2.
Dark Horse Picks
Tom Kim
With a recent runner-up-loss to Scheffler at the Travelers Championship, along with two top-10s and six top-25s through 20 events, Kim has been playing some impressive golf. Remembering his T-2 finish last year at the Open makes it hard to not include his name in the discussion this upcoming year.
Aaron Rai
Although Rai has yet to capture a PGA tour victory through 86 events played, he finished T-2 and T-7 in his last two events played and has been striking the ball exceptionally well. Can this Englishman get it done at Royal Troon?
Canucks in the Field
Corey Connors, Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor are currently the only four Canadians in the field and will look to make their presence felt at Royal Troon.