The Open: SB Nation staff picks, predictions for who will lift Claret Jug

Following a thrilling Genesis Scottish Open in which Scotsman Robert MacIntyre won by one stroke over Adam Scott, focus turns from the east coast of Scotland to the west coast where the Old Course at Royal Troon awaits.

Troon will host The Open for the 10th time after welcoming the world’s best players in 2016. This Ayrshire course is a true links-style layout that receives a lot of wind and rain from the Firth of Clyde. The first six holes are along the coast and are often exposed to northerly winds, making them easier to play than the others. Holes seven, eight and ninth head inland, with the famous par-three eighth hole, “The Post Stamp”, one of the best short holes in the world, measuring just 123 yards in length.

The back nine curves towards the clubhouse and is highlighted by a punishing par-4 11th hole known as “The Railway”. At 498 yards, this challenging par-4 was the hardest hole on the PGA Tour in the 2015-2016 season. As the hole runs along a train track, the entire right side is out of bounds and faces the prevailing winds most of the time.

The course tends to favour good ball-strikers and players with imaginative short games, so it’s no wonder that Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson produced the greatest Open showdown since Tom Watson narrowly beat Jack Nicklaus in their ‘Duel in the Sun’ at Turnberry in 1977.

So, with all that in mind, here are our staff picks. RJ Ochoa Our guest pickers this week are:

Jack Mirko — Golf reporter

Eight years ago, during his fifth British Open appearance, Tyrrell Hatton Hatton’s first qualifying appearance at Royal Troon, where he tied for fifth place, was the catalyst that got the then 24-year-old’s career going in the right direction, and he has since risen to become one of the best players in the world.

But the Englishman’s resume is notably lacking a major championship. Since his first appearance at Royal Troon in 2016, he has finished in the top 10 in five majors, including a tie for ninth at Augusta National earlier this year. Hatton has made the cut in 11 consecutive majors, dating back to the 149th British Open at Royal St. George.

He also switched to LIV Golf in late January, but that hasn’t had much of an impact on his game. Hatton won the LIV Golf Nashville tournament by six strokes a week after tying for 26th at Pinehurst No. 2. Then last week he finished third alone at Anadarussia, losing a playoff to Sergio Garcia and Anirban Lahiri by one stroke.

Hatton is progressing well and his game is well suited to Royal Troon. A three-time Ryder Cup player, Hatton has long been one of the best ball-strikers in golf, but his short game is also underrated. That combination will help him in Ayrshire. I predict Hatton will be the next Golfer of the Year.

DraftKings Odds: +2800

RJ Ochoa — Senior Producer, Blogging the Boys

Photo by Luke Walker/R&A via Getty Images

Last time I was asked to make a choice for Playing Through, I ignored logic and picked Rory McIlroy over Scottie Scheffler – didn’t work out!

Since then, McIlroy has been through some so-called “hard times” while Scottie has continued to play great golf. Now that he’s at Royal Troon, Scottie seems like the logical choice, but it was the same at Valhalla and Pinehurst.

I’m going to stray a little from my predictions and, like McIlroy, choose with my heart. Tommy Fleetwood His first major championship would surely be a historic win, and although he’s come close many times before, this week feels like his best yet.

Let’s take a ride.

DraftKings Odds: +2200

Savannah Richardson — Golf reporter

Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

I Ludvig Oberg!

He’ll be looking to continue his good form, especially after strong results at the Masters and the U.S. Open. He also played well at the Genesis Scottish Open, despite struggling in the final round – a theme that has unfortunately plagued him recently. However, I think he will overcome his recent struggles and win his British Open debut.

Moreover, Oberg remembers Henrik Stenson’s achievement on this golf course in 2016 so vividly that he called it Sweden’s “national holiday” – the second consecutive year that a Swede had won at Royal Troon.

DraftKings Odds: +1400

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.