The Open Championship
July 18th – 21st, 2019
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Portrush, Northern Ireland
Par: 71 / Yardage: 7,344
Purse: $10.75 million
with $1,935,000 to the winner
Defending Champion:
Francesco Molinari

This week’s field includes:
The field includes 92 of the top 100 and 49 of the top 50 in the latest Official World Rankings. The only top-50 player not in the field is Kevin Na, who withdrew last week. Of those in the top-100 that aren’t in the field are: $54 Charles Howell III, #59 Scott Piercy, #82 Ryan Moore, #86 Martin Kaymer, #96 Kevin Tweak, #8 Max Homa and #99 Jhonattan Vegas.
The field includes 24 of the top 25 on the FedEx point standings for 2019. Those players not in the field are #22 Scott Piercy.
The field includes 14 past Open champions: Francesco Molinari (2018),Jordan Spieth (2017), Henrik Stenson (2016), Zach Johnson (2015), Rory McIlroy (2014), Phil Mickelson (2013), Ernie Els (2012 & ’02), Darren Clarke (2011),Louis Oosthuizen (2010), Stewart Cink (2009), Padraig Harrington (2007 & ’08), Tiger Woods (2000, ’05 & ’06), David Duval (2001) and Tom Lehman (1996).
A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the British Open field is our performance chart listed by the average finish. Another way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the British Open in the last five years or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the British Open.
A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.
Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas.
Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:
Who’s Hot in the field for The Open Championship
Player | John Deere | Scottish Open | 3M Open | Irish Open | Rocket Mortgage Classic | Travelers Champ. | BMW International Open | U.S. Open | RBC Canadian Open | Memorial | Andalucia Masters | Belgian Knockout | Charles Schwab Challenge |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jon Rahm (348.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | Win (132) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T3 (120) |
DNP | DNP | T2 (100) |
DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Bernd Wiesberger (278 pts) |
DNP | Win (132) |
DNP | T2 (100) |
DNP | DNP | T16 (22.67) |
76 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T5 (23.33) |
DNP |
Joaquin Niemann (210.33 pts) |
T10 (40) |
DNP | T23 (27) |
DNP | T5 (70) |
T5 (46.67) |
DNP | DNP | T31 (12.67) |
T27 (7.67) |
DNP | DNP | T31 (6.33) |
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (198 pts) |
DNP | T34 (16) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | T3 (60) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | Win (132) |
DNP | DNP |
Chez Reavie (194.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
Win (88) |
DNP | T3 (120) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Rafael Cabrera-Bello (188 pts) |
DNP | T9 (45) |
DNP | T4 (80) |
DNP | DNP | T3 (60) |
T65 (0) |
DNP | T41 (3) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Henrik Stenson (177.67 pts) |
DNP | T4 (80) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T9 (60) |
T8 (33.33) |
T37 (4.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Andy Sullivan (175 pts) |
DNP | T28 (22) |
DNP | T2 (100) |
DNP | DNP | T26 (16) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T13 (37) |
DNP | DNP |
Nate Lashley (168.67 pts) |
T26 (24) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | Win (132) |
DNP | DNP | T28 (29.33) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | 69 (0) |
Mike Lorenzo-Vera (167 pts) |
DNP | T28 (22) |
DNP | T9 (45) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T2 (100) |
DNP | DNP |
Gary Woodland (166 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | Win (176) |
DNP | T52 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Rory McIlroy (160.67 pts) |
DNP | T34 (16) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T9 (60) |
Win (88) |
CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Bryson DeChambeau (159.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T2 (100) |
DNP | DNP | T8 (33.33) |
DNP | T35 (20) |
DNP | T22 (9.33) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Hideki Matsuyama (150.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T7 (55) |
DNP | T13 (37) |
DNP | DNP | T21 (38.67) |
DNP | 6 (20) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Matt Wallace (146.67 pts) |
DNP | T14 (36) |
DNP | T55 (0) |
DNP | DNP | T3 (60) |
T12 (50.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Andrea Pavan (144.67 pts) |
DNP | T4 (80) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | Win (88) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
CUT (-3.33) |
DNP |
Matthew Fitzpatrick (143.33 pts) |
DNP | T14 (36) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 2 (66.67) |
T12 (50.67) |
DNP | T68 (0) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | T64 (0) |
Sungjae Im (140.67 pts) |
T26 (24) |
DNP | T15 (35) |
DNP | T21 (29) |
T21 (19.33) |
DNP | DNP | 7 (36.67) |
T57 (0) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Brandt Snedeker (138.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T5 (70) |
T43 (4.67) |
DNP | 77 (0) |
T4 (53.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T19 (10.33) |
Patrick Reed (134.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T23 (27) |
DNP | T5 (70) |
T30 (13.33) |
DNP | T32 (24) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Brooks Koepka (134 pts) |
DNP | DNP | 65 (0) |
DNP | DNP | T57 (0) |
DNP | 2 (133.33) |
T50 (0.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Dylan Frittelli (133.33 pts) |
Win (132) |
DNP | T46 (4) |
DNP | T46 (4) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | 59 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Justin Rose (132.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T3 (120) |
DNP | 13 (12.33) |
DNP | DNP | T58 (0) |
Andrew Putnam (130.33 pts) |
DNP | T4 (80) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T57 (0) |
DNP | T43 (9.33) |
DNP | T17 (11) |
DNP | DNP | T3 (30) |
Xander Schauffele (128.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T3 (120) |
DNP | T14 (12) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Matt Kuchar (125.33 pts) |
DNP | T20 (30) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T16 (45.33) |
T4 (53.33) |
CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Adri Arnaus (125 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T15 (35) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
T58 (0) |
DNP | DNP | T2 (100) |
CUT (-3.33) |
DNP |
Brian Harman (117 pts) |
T26 (24) |
DNP | T7 (55) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
T8 (33.33) |
DNP | DNP | T50 (0.67) |
T27 (7.67) |
DNP | DNP | T31 (6.33) |
Rory Sabbatini (117 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | T3 (90) |
DNP | DNP | T43 (9.33) |
DNP | T27 (7.67) |
DNP | DNP | T6 (20) |
Adam Hadwin (113.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | 4 (80) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | 6 (40) |
T52 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Shane Lowry (112 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T34 (16) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T28 (29.33) |
T2 (66.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Webb Simpson (112 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T16 (45.33) |
T2 (66.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Adam Scott (106.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T7 (73.33) |
DNP | 2 (33.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Patrick Cantlay (106 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T15 (23.33) |
DNP | T21 (38.67) |
DNP | Win (44) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Doc Redman (103 pts) |
T37 (13) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | 2 (100) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
How Player Rankings are Computed
Who’s Not Hot in the field for The Open Championship
Player | John Deere | Scottish Open | 3M Open | Irish Open | Rocket Mortgage Classic | Travelers Champ. | BMW International Open | U.S. Open | RBC Canadian Open | Memorial | Andalucia Masters | Belgian Knockout | Charles Schwab Challenge |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Si Woo Kim (-50.33 pts) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
DNP | T41 (3) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Lucas Bjerregaard (-40 pts) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Luke List (-36.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Ryan Fox (-36.67 pts) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Justin Harding (-33.33 pts) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Branden Grace (-26.67 pts) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | T53 (0) |
Ernie Els (-25 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
DNP | WD (-1.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Jake McLeod (-24.33 pts) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
T33 (5.67) |
DNP |
Bubba Watson (-23.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
T54 (0) |
DNP | CUT (-13.33) |
T63 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Sung Kang (-23.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
T78 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
How Player Rankings are Computed
Who to watch for at The Open Championship
Best Bets:
Rory McIlroy
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T2 | T4 | T5 | Win | CUT | T60 | T25 | T3 | T47 | T42 |
Comes down to his putting, if he putts well he will win. The rest of his game is that sharp.
Dustin Johnson
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUT | T54 | T9 | T49 | T12 | T32 | T9 | T2 | T14 | CUT |
He comes into Portrush and done a lot of homework and realized how the course plays and what that means to tailor his game to the characteristics of Portrush. So he will have to drive it long and straight, which he does now, he will have to fly shots into the greens and over the false fronts, but with the proper amount of spin so the ball doesn’t go over the green. But most importantly Johnson needs to putt better than he did at Pebble.
Brooks Koepka
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T39 | T6 | T10 | T67 | CUT |
He has one big well kept secret advantage over everyone, his caddie Ricky Elliott. Elliott grew up playing Portrush over a 1,000 times and played junior golf alongside Graeme McDowell. So it seems like an almost unfair advantage for a man who has won four of the last nine majors he’s competed in and finished in the top six at three others
Best of the rest:
Adam Scott
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T17 | T22 | T43 | T10 | T5 | T3 | 2 | T25 | T27 | CUT | T16 | T27 |
He was at Portrush a full week before and on top of the week, played Portrush with Darren Clarke for three days. Clarke grew up and today lives in Portrush so there is nobody that knows more about Portrush than Clarke. As Scott said Clarke went out of his way to help him and for the three days gave Scott the lay of the land and showed him some of the local knowledge that it will take to play well at Portrush. Just like with Rory and Dustin, the slow green speeds of Portrush will help Adam and frankly, he may be a better choice than we think.
Xander Schauffele
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T2 | T20 |
He is here with his dad Stefan, who taught Xander how to swing a club and is his guide. In talking with Stefan, he said how Xander didn’t touch a club for a couple of weeks after Pebble Beach and started practicing a couple of weeks ago and is peaking right now.
Rickie Fowler
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T28 | T22 | T46 | T30 | T2 | CUT | T31 | T5 | T14 |
In seeing him play with Tiger and Dustin on Monday I got the feeling that maybe he has learned how to play Portrush and will have a great week. He has completely fallen off of many people’s radar screen and I can see him doing well.
Henrik Stenson
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T35 | T11 | Win | T40 | T39 | 2 | 68 | T3 | T13 | T3 | CUT |
Learned that Stenson came to Portrush over a week ago and spent two days just walking the course, he didn’t take a single swing but learned a lot about Portrush. With his walk of the course, he learned that the greens will be hard to hit with the false fronts and if the wind is blowing they will be tough to hit. Stenson also feels that with the right weather conditions which it looks like we will have, Portrush will be a lot more stringent test than any other British Open course. So I think that Stenson, who won the British Open in 2016 in an epic battle with Phil Mickelson could do it again this week.
Jason Day
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T17 | T27 | T22 | T4 | T58 | T32 | T30 | T60 |
he will have Stevie Williams on the bag and it’s only a matter of time before he puts it all together. The only thing that could be a problem, if it gets cold it could affect his back.
Gary Woodland
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T67 | T70 | T12 | T58 | T39 | T34 | T30 |
The fact that the U.S. Open champion is so low makes you wonder what the real gambler thinks of him. His mind may be at home with his wife due to have twins in the coming weeks.
Solid contenders
Bryson DeChambeau
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T51 | CUT |
I can’t think of any more of a Golf Nerd than DeChambeau. He is able to pick up things about a golf course nobody else can and I think he will know every bit of Portrush and have a great week.
Justin Thomas
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUT | CUT | T53 |
He played well last week at the Scottish Open, he gave the wrist lot’s of working with punch shots that didn’t seem to bother him, he finished T-9th so I think he will be ready to go this week.
Patrick Cantlay
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T12 |
He hasn’t played since the Travelers and has to think that he took some time off and is ready to go. Do like some of his stats in a terrific year. He ranks 4th in Strokes gained Tee-to-Green, is 12th in strokes gained approach the green and 1st in scrambling for the year which will be important this week. So look for a good week out of Patrick.
Matt Kuchar
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T9 | 2 | T46 | T58 | T54 | T15 | T9 | CUT | T27 | CUT | CUT | CUT |
We don’t realize what a great year he is having and winning this week would top off his career which is mostly complete except it needs a major victory.
Long shots that could come through:
Rafael Cabrera-Bello
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
74 | T4 | T39 | T40 | CUT | T21 | T81 |
I strongly feel that he not only will contend at Portrush, (he finished 2nd in 2012 in the Irish Open held at Portrush) but he can win. He has won the Scottish Open on a links course and was 4th at Birkdale in 2017.
Joaquin Niemann
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First time playing in this event |
More info:
He has played great the last four weeks and could carry over to this week.
Andrew Johnston
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T27 | 8 | CUT |
Better known as “Beef” he was tinkle pink to get a British Openb spot last week in Scotland and you never know, he could produce “the beef” by finishing very high up and making the pick worthwhile.
Bernd Wiesberger
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T74 | CUT | T68 | CUT | T64 |
He has won twice this summer including last week at the Scottish Open.
Just don’t see it happening for these players
Tiger Woods
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T6 | CUT | 69 | T6 | T3 | T23 | CUT | T12 |
Think the poor weather with cold rain will be hard on his back and he won’t be able to play the way he can.
Justin Rose
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T2 | T54 | T22 | T6 | T23 | CUT | CUT | T44 | CUT | T13 | T70 | T12 |
I know that Rose was runner-up last year at Carnoustie and was in the running at Pebble but I just don’t think Portrush soothes his game.
Phil Mickelson
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T24 | CUT | 2 | T20 | T23 | Win | CUT | T2 | T48 | T19 | CUT |
Sorry but I can’t see losing 15 pounds will help him play well this week.
Francesco Molinari
2019 | ’18 | ’17 | ’16 | ’15 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | CUT | T36 | T40 | T15 | T9 | T39 | CUT | CUT | T13 | CUT |
At this time last year, he was the hottest player in the game and went to Carnoustie with a lot of momentum. This year it’s the complete opposite and I can see him struggle at Portrush.
Sal, you said Erik van Rooyen is not in The Open, but on the The Open website he has a 12:20 tee time. Has he withdrawn?
Great preview of this wonderful championship; I have Rory and Rose in my pool this week; you have me second guessing my choice of World #4. I still have Xander and Stenson available. I know that if I swap Rose out for someone else he’ll end up winning it!
van rooyen in the field
Randy, have taken him off the list of top-100 in the world ranking, that was my mistake. Other than that he is part of my draftKings picks so I didn’t forget him.
Chad, I would take Xander or Stenson in a heartbeat over Rose, but again I could be wrong, It’s just my thoughts. It’s piss-pouring rain here now so it will be a wild week and anyone could come to the top in sloppy, windy conditions as we may have.
Not only is Erik Van Rooyen in the field…his odds have dropped to 120-1….was 500-1 at one point …someone thinks he will do well?