Tiger Woods playing well among 3 Bold Predictions for The Open

You never know how things will play out at any major championship, but this is especially true at the British Open, where play is often interrupted by bad weather and wind.

This mantra is especially true at Royal Troon, a seaside Ayrshire golf course along the Firth of Clyde off the coast of Scotland. Troon has hosted The Open nine times, producing some iconic finishes and witnessing some incredible play. Arnold Palmer, Tom Wiskow and Tom Watson have all won at Royal Troon, as have Justin Leonard and Henrik Stenson, who carded an 8-under 63 on Sunday to win at 20-under and set the Open scoring record.

In 2004, longshot Todd Hamilton beat Ernie Els in a playoff, and in 1989, Mark Calcavecchia beat Greg Norman and Wayne Grady in overtime. Troon has had its share of drama, so we can expect more in 2024.

But it’s also unpredictable. No one could have foreseen Hamilton’s victory, or Stenson’s historic run to victory Sunday. Still, here are three bold predictions for this week’s British Open.

3. Tiger Woods makes the cut

No active golfer knows links golf and how to play it better than Tiger Woods.

He can still hit any shot he wants, be it a high fade, a sharp stinger, a bump-and-run or a nicely spun pitch.

Links golf requires imagination, and perhaps no player has it better than Woods.

The greens will also work in Woods’ favor. They reportedly roll at about 9 on the Stimpmeter, which is slow by PGA Tour standards, meaning fewer three-putts and misses. It also suggests Woods, and every player this week, can be more aggressive on the greens, an improvement that will go a long way considering he hasn’t played much as a pro in recent years. Woods struggled on the fast, undulating green at Pinehurst’s No. 2 hole, which rolls at more than 13 on the Stimpmeter.

If I had to choose which major to play in again, I’d choose the British Open. Augusta National’s undulating terrain puts undue strain on Woods’ legs, and those same hills further hinder his ability to play by forcing him into awkward positions on each shot. Royal Troon and other links courses don’t have that kind of terrain.

Another factor working in Woods’ favor is that he did his homework early. He played 18 holes on Sunday and another nine on Monday. He has no tee time on Tuesday, so he’s likely to attend a press conference, go to the range and rest.

However, it all depends on tee times, weather and wind conditions, but I believe Woods will put in a valiant effort this week and play the weekend at Royal Troon.

2. Europe’s Ryder Cup star wins

Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The staff predictions are in and, spoiler alert, the Playing Through crew think that either Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood or Ludvig Oberg will lift the Claret Jug on Sunday.

The American has won the last six majors but there is a feeling that streak will end at Royal Troon this week. Hatton, Fleetwood and Oberg are all favourites to win, but Jon Rahm or Rory McIlroy could also easily hoist the Claret Jug.

Or maybe Shane Lowry or Matt Fitzpatrick will win their second major title this week.

Either way, a member of last year’s European Ryder Cup team will likely win in Scotland.

1. Royal Troon are back in the playoffs

Photo: Rob Casey/Getty Images

There was no playoff at the 2016 British Open, but the entire final round had a playoff feel, and the whole day had a “playoff atmosphere.” Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson had a fierce battle over 18 holes, with Stenson finishing with 8-under 63 and Mickelson finishing with 6-under 65. By the way, the average score for the day was around 2-over 73, which shows how great the two players played.

Twelve years earlier, in 2004, Todd Hamilton made four pars on the first, second, 17th and 18th holes to beat Ernie Els by one stroke, who dropped a stroke on the 222-yard par-3 17th hole, in a four-hole combined playoff.

And yet, a playoff begins this week at Royal Troon. The course has a penchant for producing drama, but that’s mainly because the last nine holes are so difficult. Anything from an eagle to a smashed eight and everything in between can happen on Troon’s last nine holes. But golf fans around the world will be happy to hear about the playoff, because the extra holes in a major championship never disappoints.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.