So-called expert Open Championship tips

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

The final two holes of the Scottish Open has convinced me it will take a special kind of performance to stop RORY MCILROY from winning the Claret Jug this week.

The way he closed out to snatch the title speaks volumes of Rory's mindset at the moment. There appears to be no shot he can't hit and no situation he can't overcome. ‘Rors’ to make it major number five.

Sportsbet odds: $8.50

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor, Playing From The Tips host

There are plenty of reasons for the doubters about going back-to-back, especially at a major. However, RORY MCILROY showed so much last week in Scotland and returns to a happy hunting ground in Hoylake.

Phil Mickelson did it not that long ago, and Rory at his best is a step above most of the field assembled at Royal Liverpool.

The course won’t play like it did back in 2014, but that won’t faze Rory much, while the early signs of laughter, and even a skipped press conference, are positive for Rory’s chances. Kind of like when Mark Hayes arrives on site and it is a Pepsi stocked week rather than a Coke fridge, don’t get in the way of Rory this week, or like Hayesy’s rivals you will remember the day the unstoppable force steamrolled you.

Sportsbet odds: $8.50

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

It's just hard to go past RORY. Winning back-to-back weeks is no easy feat but Rory is in that class above where that’s not much of an issue.

A confident McIlroy is a dangerous McIlroy and he had that bounce in his step last week that makes him look unbeatable.

It won’t be easy because there are some other top players also in good form (in particular Scottie Scheffler) but if everybody plays their best I still think Rory’s best is better.

Sportsbet odds: $8.50

RELATED: The Open First Round Tee Times (AEST)

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

Here we go, about to embark on the week on Australia’s sporting calendar that should be sponsored by Nick Scali.

Yep, the toughest week imaginable on couches – and sometimes marriages – every four years.

The Open, two Ashes series, a World Cup and for those who like their sport with a hint of chemical assistance, Le Tour.

And speaking of chemical assistance, please don’t pass judgement on Jimmy’s tips until you’ve walked a mile in his (socks and) Crocs.

Now down to business, I’ve just got a feeling about COLLIN MORIKAWA.

We all remember his ball striking last time the Open was held in Pomgolia and he’s definitely been trending in the right direction again lately.

Particularly if the Merseyside weather can hold off, I think he’s a good thing to be there in the dash to the line on Sunday night.

Sportsbet odds: $29

John Huggan – Golf Australia Magazine columnist 

TOMMY FLEETWOOD

(Hear Huggy’s full reasoning on the latest episode of the Playing From The Tips podcast HERE)

Sportsbet odds: $26

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

Although my heart says Rory, a public holiday may have to be scheduled for Monday because I think CAM SMITH is going back-to-back.

A win in his last start, ‘Smithy’ seems to have timed his run to perfection like a looming Makybe Diva down the Flemington straight – with Cam's finishing line being the 18th green at Hoylake, hoisting the Claret Jug once again.

Sportsbet odds: $15

THE OPEN – TOP AUSSIE

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

CAM SMITH is the one man who can knock over Rory this week.

Like Rory, he's a last start winner and he has two more days preparation at Hoylake under his belt. Anyone who witnessed Smith's play at St Andrews last year knows he GETS links golf and if he gets on a roll with the putter the 151st Open might become a final round duel reminiscent of the 150th.

Sportsbet odds: $2.70

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Plenty of good rationale for Cam this week, yet his troubles with the driver concern me going to Royal Liverpool, particularly one playing a little softer and longer.

Here’s hoping Cam wrangles the driver and is in the mix, but I am plumping for ADAM SCOTT in this category.

Played well here when Rory won, and has been close to putting together some good rounds at the majors this year. Strategic test will suit ‘Scotty’, who is another who looks to be loving being back on the links so far this week.

Lookout for Haydn Barron as the bolter of the Aussies.

Sportsbet odds: $5.50

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

As defending champion and a last start winner at LIV London Cam Smith is the obvious choice, particularly given he has two top-10 finishes in the past two majors.

But I’m going with MIN WOO LEE for top Australian honours as the young West Australian continues to both attract and excel in the limelight.

He’s yet to seriously contend at one of the game’s majors and his experience at The Players earlier this year will hold him good stead if he can get around the top of the leaderboard this week.

Sportsbet odds: $5.50

RELATED: The Aussies at The Open

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

If we can somehow conjure a Sam Kerr-CAM SMITH double here, this will be a week to remember indeed.

There’s no doubt Smith has been building to his title defence for weeks if not months. He’s had an uncustomarily busy week of media commitments, but his ability to joke and remain ‘Cam’ has shone through and there’s no reason to think he won’t be in that final spring, either.

Sportsbet odds: $2.70

John Huggan – Golf Australia Magazine columnist 

None of them, but I will take LUCAS HERBERT

(Hear Huggy’s full reasoning on the latest episode of the Playing From The Tips podcast HERE)

Sportsbet odds: $8

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

See above (CAM SMITH), without the horse racing analogy.

But also, a special mention to Min Woo Lee, who no doubt will be in the thick of it on the weekend.

Sportsbet odds: $2.70

THE OPEN – DARK HORSE

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

It is 54 years since an Englishman won The Open on English soil. That was back Tony Jacklin at Royal Lytham.

TOMMY FLEETWOOD has found some form and he's certainly ready to win that inaugural major championship.

Sportsbet odds: $26

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

There are any number of players who could be the Wyndham Clark of the week, and my pick of those is PABLO LARRAZABAL.

A winner recently on the DP World Tour, the Spaniard has never really shown up at a major, but he has a creative mind and game that will suit if things get tough here. And given his propensity to make things interesting it would be some sight to behold watching him in contention on Sunday.

Sportsbet odds: $401

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

One of the most likeable players in world golf and one who seems to play his best on links means RYAN FOX will be getting the nod from me this week.

With a best finish of T16 in six Open appearances he would rightly be considered an outsider but played decently last week at The Scottish Open and not without a chance to do well this week.

Sportsbet odds: $76

RELATED: How to watch The Open

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I don’t think a roughie will get the chocolates this week, even after what has just happened in back-to-back U.S Opens.

But if the trend continues, I’ll be shouting hard for DAVID MICHELUZZI.

From the moment the Cranbourne Cannonball locked this moment in at Rich River last summer, he has been plotting his way mentally around Hoylake.

And as I’m sure we’ll see more and more in years ahead, ‘Micha’ is made of pretty stern stuff mentally, so if his game is in the shape we’d expect, I think he’ll give a great account of himself.

Sportsbet odds: $501

John Huggan – Golf Australia Magazine columnist 

NICOLAI HOJGAARD

(Hear Huggy’s full reasoning on the latest episode of the Playing From The Tips podcast HERE)

Sportsbet odds: $8

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

I too think RYAN FOX is in for a big week. He has shown glimpses of brilliance at the majors this year, and it's time he really makes a statement at Hoylake.

The Open is the major that will really have the big-hitting Kiwi licking his chops, huge chance this week.

Sportsbet odds: $76