RADIO
Alex Fitzpatrick Continues Proving He Can Compete On The PGA Tour
Alex Fitzpatrick missed the cut at last week's Genesis Scottish Open and will now focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. Prior to the Genesis Scottish Open, Fitzpatrick had rattled off four straight top-25 finishes. So far this season, Fitzpatrick has two wins, 12 top-25 finishes, and two missed cuts in 19 starts. He finished tied for 17th at the Open Championship in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Fitzpatrick ranks in the 89th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because Royal Birkdale is over 7,0000 yards in length.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Bryson DeChambeau Seeks Redemption at Open Championship
Bryson DeChambeau hasn't made the cut in any of the first three majors this year and will focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. So far this season, DeChambeau has two wins and three top-five finishes on the LIV Tour. He finished tied for 10th at last year's Open Championship and will look to improve on that this year. Over the past 12 months, DeChambeau ranks in the 84th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards on the fairway. This matters because Royal Birkdale will play over 7,000 yards.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Ludvig Aberg Needs Bounce-Back After Missed Cut at Genesis Scottish Open
Ludvig Aberg missed the cut at last week's Genesis Scottish Open and will now focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. Aberg has 10 top-25 finishes and two missed cuts in 16 starts this season. He finished tied for 23rd in the 2025 Open Championship and missed the cut in the 2024 edition. Over the past 12 months, Aberg ranks in the 72nd percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth noting because Royal Birkdale plays over 7,000 yards and this could be an important approach distance bucket this week.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Xander Schauffele is Perhaps as Close to Being a Full Fade as He's Ever Been
Spanning Xander Schauffele's entire career thus far, there may not have been a harder time to recommend him than right now. The 32-year-old is coming off a missed cut last week at the Renaissance Club, where he lost strokes everywhere except around the green. It's a hiccup that has now existed for two consecutive events. His worst showings have been in the irons and putting, as both areas have lost strokes in four of his last six events. As we arrive at the opening round of the Open Championship, it's difficult to expect things will immediately turn around to make him a worthy fantasy option at his price.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Patrick Reed Set to Have a More Productive Open Championship
It hasn't been a great time for Patrick Reed in recent Open Championships, as he hasn't finished inside the top 30 since 2019 (solo 10th). However, with his level of play this year and his reinstatement to the PGA Tour coming in a few months, he's certainly trying to get in the mix as much as possible. The 35-year-old is leading the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour, coming off a T13 finish at last week's Scottish Open. He's able to do some real damage on approach, but his biggest strength comes on and around the green, where he averaged 1.76 strokes gained last week at the Renaissance Club between putting and his short game. Those will come in handy at a baked-out Royal Birkdale. For those needing a reliable player with as much upside as anyone with a presumably decent floor, Reed is a solid option.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Rory McIlroy Might be The Arguable Favorite at Open Championship
Rory McIlroy is coming off a T7 at the Scottish Open, where his driver flourished in leading the field in average strokes gained off the tee (1.50). His putter continues to be a bright spot, even with the somewhat limited schedule he's played in 2026, as does the short game. The Northern Irishman is arguably the most prolific major champion in the field this week at Royal Birkdale, and he seems poised to be part of the conversation in the forecasted baked-out conditions. It's been 12 years since he hoisted the Claret Jug for the first time, and McIlroy's quest to become the best European of all time will certainly be bolstered by doing it a second time.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Corey Conners Could be Intriguing Option in Open Championship
Corey Conners has an up and down history across the pond. The Canadian golfer has had some less than ideal results but two Top 15 finishes at the Open Championship (2021 and 2025). Throwing out the results from the Genesis Scottish Open may be wise (T-52 last week). One worry is his driver accuracy (7% below average). Normally, Conners ranks 13th in driver accuracy at 67.45%. With decent breezes, averaging 303.1 yards off the tee should not be much of a hindrance. The bigger problem is putting. When Conners is rolling, he plays well like at last year's Open. In 2026, he averages 30 putts or worse in Rounds 2 and 3. That has to improve this week for Conners to have a bettor's chance at plus money for a Top 20 or better.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Johnny Keefer Gets His First Glimpse of Royal Birkdale
Johnny Keefer comes off a scintillating T-3 last week at the Genesis Scottish Open. The young American golfer is only 25-years-old but shows flashes of a much more experienced golfer. In four of his previous five events, Keefer has shown plus side driver accuracy. Off the tee, he hits the ball an average of 318.3 yards (10th on Tour). The concern is links golf has its share of dunes and bunkers. Scrambling and scrambling from the rough are not strong suits for Keefer. Overall scrambling ranks 133rd at 56.04%. The numbers get worse with sand save percentage at 34.21% (152nd overall). Keefer could have some moments of brilliance which could make him an early DFS possibility with easier hole placements.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Michael Thorbjornsen Competing in His First Open Championship
Michael Thorbjornsen played well at the Genesis Scottish Open last week. The American golfer finished T-7 and had four rounds all in the 60's. Royal Birkdale is a different course to say the least compared to the Renaissance Club. However, Thorbjornsen has a little momentum and drives well off the tee (314.1 yards - 20th) and 60.51 accuracy (67th). The big concern is those birdie chances. Unfortunately, Thorbjornsen carries a birdie-or-better percentage of only 29.64% (120th). His approaches will have to be better but around the green, Thornbjornson ranks 22nd at 0.295 strokes gained. That may increase his chances from a DFS perspective especially with dry, warmer conditions expected on Thursday and even Friday.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
J.J. Spaun a Concern Heading into the Final Major
J.J. Spaun needs to do something he has not done all year. The American golfer has missed every cut at a major in 2026. Worse, he has had three of his most disastrous putting efforts in 2026 (including the PGA Championship). Variance and volatility have been staples in Spaun's game throughout his career. 2026 has seen even more. Despite a win at the Valero Texas Open and four Top 10 results, Spaun finished T-44 at the Genesis Scottish Open. While last week's event is not an indicator for the Open Championship, Spaun must get off to a better start with his putter (29.89 putts average over first two rounds). If the putter improves, Spaun could be worth a look from a betting perspective on the weekend.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Aaron Rai May Have Challenges at Royal Birkdale
Aaron Rai comes into the Open Championship with a wayward putter. The English golfer lost more than two strokes last week to putting at the Genesis Scottish Open. As a result, he missed the cut. Rai also suffered from a lack of length on drives (-16.6 yards below average). The 7,223-yard, Par-70 Royal Birkdale could present some unique challenges for Rai. Too often, his putts per round are near 30. (29.67 - 147th overall). Rai showed at the PGA Championship and even US Open that he can put together rounds at majors. However, links golf has been a mixed bag for the Englishman (T-19 best in 2021). He may be a golfer too volatile for DFS lineups this week.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
J.T. Poston Attempts to Improve at the Open Championship
J.T. Poston was on a roll in June. The American golfer won a playoff at the Memorial Tournament. If that was not enough, Poston T-4 at the US Open. Then, the up went to down as Poston saw things go south at the Travelers Championship. After another outside the Top 50 finish at the John Deere Classic, Poston does not have the best numbers overseas. He has missed three cuts in four Open Championship appearances. Royal Birkdale expects to be warm with some breezes but nothing heavy. Poston may be a golfer to fade this weekend.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Min Woo Lee Trying to Continue Upswing at the Open Championship
Min Woo Lee got into a bit of a funk in June. The Australian golfer missed consecutive cuts and narrowly missed a third cut at the Travelers Championship. Lee managed to put four very good rounds together at the Genesis Scottish Open. He nearly tied Tom Kim for the lead but ended up one stroke short in a tie for second. Overall, Lee has four Top 10 results in 2026 and one Top 25 result recently at the Open Championship (2023). It has been an unkind run for Lee as six of his last eight majors have seen the golfer on the negative side of strokes gained overall. Royal Birkdale may be a betting fade for Lee this week.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Brian Harman Seeking First Top-10 Result of 2026 in England
Brian Harman has made the cut 15 out of 18 times in 2026. The American golfer, however, has not had a single Top 10 result this season. His best finish was a T-11 at THE Players Championship back in March. Harman does well overseas including his 2023 triumph at Royal Liverpool. He has four Top 20 efforts in his previous five appearances. Harman had a very off week driving the ball at the Genesis Scottish Open (16.4 yards below average) and accuracy was 5% below average. This causes some red flags even with Harman's mostly stellar results. It may be a consideration to even fade Harman from a DFS perspective especially.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Jordan Spieth Returning to Royal Birkdale in Search of his Old Self
After failing to finish inside the top 50 in any of his last four starts, hopes for Jordan Spieth aren't high coming into the year's final major. There isn't a single part of his game performing with any consistency, especially his chipping and putting, both of which are averaging negative strokes gained over his last three starts. The 32-year-old is returning to Royal Birkdale, where he won his Claret Jug in 2017. However, this is a very different player now than when he won back then. The ball striking isn't as crisp, the short game isn't as tight, and the putts aren't falling. Unlike the level he was at nine years ago, there are better options this week.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
