Shot Scope Player Picks – The 151st Open Championship

19 July 2023

At Shot Scope we are counting down the days until The 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. Off the back of the excitement at the Genesis Scottish Open we cannot wait for Major golf this week. 

It didn’t quite happen for Rickie Fowler at the Scottish Open, but what about The 151st Open Championship, who are our in-house golfers picking?

Ryan – Marketing

Pick 1: Rory McIlroy

Reasoning: Rory for countless years seems to be in contention at any given tournament. My only reservation is that he can have a bad day during the tournament that sets him back, but he often follows this up with a burner of a round and shoots 6 under to get our hopes up.

That being said, at the Genesis Scottish Open Rory blew my mind on Sunday. Possibly the best finish to a golf tournament I have seen in years! When players were dropping strokes on 17 and 18 all day Rory birdied both to win and put a stop to the fairytale finish for Bob MacIntyre – cold blooded killer. 

Pick 2: Tommy Fleetwood

Reasoning: Tommy has proven himself to be a world-class player time and time again with 6 DP World Tour wins as well as Ryder Cup success. I think it is only a matter of time before he wins a big event and what better time than at Royal Liverpool as a ‘local lad’. 

Tommy finished T4 last year and 2nd in 2019 so perhaps it is only fitting that he would go a step further and win where he made his Open debut back in 2014.

Gavin – Commercial

Pick 1: Shane Lowry

Reasoning: Has been playing steady golf of recent and knows how to play links golf as a previous Champion Golfer of the Year. Shane has been home for weeks playing golf in Ireland and this can only help him get back into the swing of it. 

In a game that often relies on the short game, Shane is known for his touch around the green and when he is on his game can make the most difficult of shots seem easy. 

Pick 2: Rickie Fowler

Reasoning: I think the world of golf is happy to see Rickie return to the winners circle. Despite his drop in form, we cannot forget that in years gone by Rickie was considered to be one of the best players to have never won a major, finishing in the top 10 twelve times!

The last time The Open Championship was at Royal Liverpool Rickie finished 2nd, could he be feeling any better going into it?

David – E-commerce 

Pick 1: Rory McIlroy

Reasoning: Won at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and so knows the course and what it takes to win around here. Rory won at the Scottish Open in tough conditions as well as a 2nd place in the US Open and 3rd in The Open last year. 

McIlroy is knocking on the door of major success once again and I wouldn’t be surprised if he blew it off the hinges at Royal Liverpool with a 5th major win.

Pick 2: Adam Scott 

Reasoning: Has found some form recently in the USA, T-5 here in 2014 and only missed the Cut 5 times out of 22 at The Open so more than likely we will see him at the weekend. Albeit he did miss the cut in Scotland last weekend but only just. 

A complete outsider, however, he is a Major winner with plenty of links golf experience and he might spring a surprise being the dark horse in the first two rounds paired with Fleetwood & Scheffler. 

Kieran – Marketing

Pick 1: Collin Morikawa

Reasoning: Solid links player and in great form. His iron striking suits the tough Liverpool golf course accompanied with his great short game. Collin is a former Major winner with many more ahead of him. 

Pick 2: Viktor Hovland

Reasoning: Plays on the DP World Tour and so has proven that his game travels, missing out on major success a couple of times previously. Viktor finished strongly last year and it is only a matter of time until he wins a Major.

Neil – Sales

Pick 1: Cameron Smith

Reasoning: 5 top 10 finishes this season on LIV Golf schedule, including a win last time out in London. Defending Open champion with two other top 35 finishes in The Open, looks primed to go head-to-head with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour stars once again.

Pick 2: Scottie Scheffler

Reasoning: Superior ball-striker playing golf at the very highest level and has done so for the last 12 months. First in Strokes Gained Off The Tee, Approach, Tee to Green and Strokes Gained Total.

15 top 10 ten finishes in his last 19 starts, including two wins. Just needs an average week with the putter and he will be right there come Sunday.

Scott – Sales

Pick 1: Scottie Scheffler

Reasoning: Has been there or thereabouts in almost every event this season, finishing outside the top 15 only once. 3rd at the PGA Champ and 3rd at the US Open I think he’ll feature again. If the putter is hot then he takes the Claret Jug home. 

Pick 2: Tommy Fleetwood

Reasoning: Swinging it great, loves a links track and knows that part of the world very well. Tommy has the game to be a Major champ and I think this could be the week he pulls it all together with a home crowd cheering him on. 

Jen – Marketing

Pick 1: Rickie Fowler

Reasoning: He’s found some form again and has done well on links in the past. Fan and player favourite, everyone loves to see Rickie do well.

Pick 2: Bob MacIntyre

Reasoning: Recently switched back to his old coach and caddie team and his game is trending in the right direction.

So close to winning the Scottish Open, will be feeling confident about his game after a strong finish and impressive final round at Renaissance. 

He’s Scottish, c’mon Bob!

Matt – E-commerce

Pick 1: Scottie Scheffler

Reasoning: First place in strokes gained in all categories except putting, playing consistently superb golf. Once he has his putting dialed I can’t see him anywhere else but in contention.

Pick 2: Bob MacIntyre

Reasoning: Played incredibly well last week at the Genesis Scottish Open and I think that will have inspired him for this week. Revenge is a powerful motivator after narrowly losing out last week.

As Jen says, he’s Scottish!

There you have it, some of the Shot Scope staff player picks. Will we get it right? Probably not! One thing that we can guarantee, it is shaping up to be a great week of golf!