RADIO
Scottie Scheffler Misses First Cut of 2026
Scottie Scheffler missed the cut at last week's Genesis Scottish Open and will look to bounce back at this week's Open Championship. Scheffler didn't play in the last Open Championship, held at Royal Birkdale in 2017, but he's the defending champion and remains one of the favorites to win this week. Scheffler has one win, eight top-five finishes, and one missed cut in 15 starts this season. Over the past 12 months, Scheffler ranks in the 97th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards on the fairway. This matters because Royal Birkdale measures over 7,000 yards.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Justin Rose Finding Form Heading to Open Championship
Justin Rose finished tied for 25th at the Travelers Championship three weeks ago and will now focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. So far this season, Rose has one win, six top-25 finishes, and four missed cuts in 14 starts. He finished tied for 16th at last year's Open Championship and tied for second in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Rose ranks in the 91st percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth noting because Royal Birkdale is over 7,000 yards in length.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Hideki Matsuyama Returns to Action For Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama finished tied for 14th at last month's Travelers Championship and will now focus on preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. Matsuyama has eight top-25 finishes and no missed cuts in 16 starts this season. He finished tied for 16th at last year's Open Championship and tied for 66th in the 2024 edition. Over the past 12 months, Matsuyama ranks in the 96th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards on the fairway. This is important because Royal Birkdale will play over 7,000 yards.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Si Woo Kim Flashes Early-Season Form Heading to Open Championship
Si Woo Kim finished tied for ninth 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. Kim has 12 top-25 finishes and one missed cut in 20 starts this season. He missed the cut at last year's Open Championship. Over the past 12 months, Kim ranks in the 99th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards on the fairway. This is important because Royal Birkdale is over 7,000 yards long.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Viktor Hovland Playing Well Heading to Open Championship
Viktor Hovland followed up his Travelers Championship win by finishing tied for 13th at last week's Genesis Scottish Open. He'll now turn his focus to preparing for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, United Kingdom. Hovland finished tied for 63rd at last year's Open Championship. He has one win, eight top-25 finishes, and three missed cuts in 17 starts this season. Over the past 12 months, Hovland ranks in the 98th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards on the fairway. This is worth noting because Royal Birkdale will play over 7,000 yards this week.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
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
