The Open field RANKED! How we rate every player teeing up at Royal Troon

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Remember when I was asked to rank the entire 89-man field at the Masters? And how it almost broke me? And how I very specifically asked you not to read it because it meant I’d have to do it again? 

Well, you failed. So many of you ploughed through my 6,000 words of Augusta-themed drivel that I’ve now been asked to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Only this time for the 152nd Open. And its 156 players. 

FFS. 

Strap in folks. This is going to be some ride...

The Open field 2024: How they rank at Royal Troon

Before we start, three players got in through the Genesis Scottish Open and I have absolutely no interest in re-numbering this whole piece, so here they are here look…

Aaron Rai

Open record: T19-MC

The immensely likeable Englishman loves the Scottish and a 7-under final round was good enough for a T4 and a third Open appearance. Let’s pretend I’ve slotted him in around the 30s.

Richard Mansell

Open record: T68-T74

Taken the very last spot in this year’s Open with a tie for tenth at the Scottish thanks to a best-of-the-day 9-under at Renaissance. Can he bring that form to Troon? Let’s put him somewhere in the 80s.

Alex Noren

Open record: 19-MC-MC-T9-T46-T6-T17-T11-MC-T23

A solid Open record but perhaps best known for skipping the 150th when he was first reserve to go and play in the Barracuda Championship (where he finished second and banked almost half a million). Ranks here inside the 50s, for sure.

Right, let’s get into it properly, starting with…

156. Tiger Woods 

Open record: T68-T22(LA)-T24-3-T7-W-T25-T28-T4-T9-W-W-T12-MC-T23-T3-T6-69-MC-T6-MC-MC 

Shall we just get him out the way with? Ooo, Alex, you’re so edgy putting Woods in last place. Yeah, well get over it. The man has only played 34 rounds in majors since that win at the 2019 Masters, and has more missed cuts than made. Here is a small selection of players who have finished above Woods in the three majors so far this year: Vijay Singh and Jose Maria Olazabal, with their combined age of 312, amateur (now professional) Neal Shipley (twice), a broken Danny Willett, Andy Ogletree, Wyatt Worthington II, Max Greyserman, Gunnar Broin,  Braden Shattuck, Omar Morales, Rico Huey, Brandon Robinson-Thompson, and Phil Mickelson. There are just too many variables and honestly, he could finish top ten or he could miss the cut by 35. Neither will be a surprise, but he’s last here. But please read on I put so much effort into this… 

155. Todd Hamilton 

Open record: MC-45-MC-W-MC-68-MC-32-MC-MC-MC-MC-T73-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC 

How there’s a ‘W’ in that run of form is anyone’s guess. Shocked the world when he held off Ernie Els – who Hamilton beat in a play-off – as well as the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood to triumph here 20 years ago. Hasn’t played an Open since ‘18, but will be back to relive that famous week in Troon. 

154. David Duval 

Open record: 20-14-32-11-62-11-W-22-MC-MC-56-39-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC-T49-WD-WD-MC-MC 

The 2001 champion has more letters than numbers in his Open record. He’s also somehow still only 52, which means he has eight more missed cuts to add.  

• Follow the 152nd Open Championship with bunkered

153. Justin Leonard 

Open record: MC-58-MC-1-57-2-41-MC-14-MC-16-52-MC-16-T8-MC-MC-MC-T13-MC-MC-MC 

Another former Troon champion coming back for one last look at the place. This will be J-Leo’s first Open since the last time it was here. 

152. John Daly 

Open record: 75-14-81-W-67-MC-MC-MC-MC-72-MC-15-MC-MC-MC-T27-T48-MC-T81-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC 

Won the ‘95 Open in that Reebok jumper. Now a walking WD. Will be six-under through eight then pull out to make the long journey south to the closest Hooters. (I’ve looked it up for you – it’s in Liverpool.) 

151. Darren Clarke 

Open record: 64-MC-39-38-31-11-2-MC-30-7-3-37-59-11-15-MC-MC-T52-T44-W-MC-T21-T26-MC-T30-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC 

Has missed the cut in eight of the 11 Opens since he won at George’s. Presumably because he’s still hungover from that Sunday night in Kent… 

150. Sam Hutsby 

Open record: Rookie 

Was so close to an Open debut 15 years ago when he lost to Matteo Manessero (remember him?) in the Am Cham final. Now he’ll finally get a shot at the Claret Jug after coming through Final Qualifying at Cinq Ports. Wonder if Rickie Fowler remembers thrashing the Englishman 7&6 at the 2009 Walker Cup.  

149. Charlie Lindh 

Open record: Rookie 

Came through Final Qualifying at Burnham & Berrow and (I think) is the only player to share his name with a popular chocolate brand. 

148. Sean Crocker 

Open record: T47 

The second best golfer to come out of Zimbabwe. (I presume? I can’t be bothered to look it up.) 

147. Mason Andersen 

Open record: Rookie 

The then World No 271 came from six back to win the Open de Argentina and book a spot at Troon. Says he is yet to experience links golf, so at least that won’t be the case when he’s boarding his flight on Friday night.

146. Matthew Dodd-Berry (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

The only player in the field with a double-barrelled surname, and for that reason alone he can pop up a couple of spots.  

145. Kazuma Kobori 

Open record: Rookie 

Making a decent run at the Best Name in the Field title, but will ultimately come up short. 

144. Denwit Boriboonsub 

Open record: Rookie 

Because that title has been taken by the very next player in the ranking. 

143. Santiago de la Fuente 

Open record: Rookie 

Not to be confused with Santiago de la Fuente, the world’s 1,066th-ranked tennis player. Earned his spot with his win at the Latin America Amateur Championship. Probably has as much chance as his racquet-swishing namesake has of winning it. (And congrats to Santiago de la Fuente the tennis player for rising 400-places or so in the world since I made this joke in my Masters rankings.) 

142. Dominic Clemons (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

After losing the final of the Amateur Championship – and the invites to The Open, the Masters and US Open that victory there would have earned – Clemons responded by going to Burnham & Berrow and fixing at least one-third of that in Final Qualifying. Won this year’s Scottish Men’s Open by 17 (SEVENTEEN) shots! Looks like the Edgy One in a ‘90s boyband.

141. Alex Cejka  

Open record: 11-MC-MC-13-MC-MC-MC 

The German had just two major top tens in his career, but has taken to the over-50s circuit like a duck to water, with three wins including last year’s Senior Open to book a first tilt at the Claret Jug since 2008.  

140. Darren Fichardt 

Open record: MC-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC 

More MCs than So Solid Crew, this guy. 

139. Jesper Svensson 

Open record: Rookie 

A late entry through the Race to Dubai rankings, the Swede says he “couldn’t have dreamt” making his major debut this year. That’s literally what dreams are, Jesper.   

138. Gun Taek Koh 

Open record: Rookie 

Says he wants to play all over the world “to improve my skills so I can play well on any tour or course”. How good do you reckon his links game is? 

137. Masahiro Kawamura 

Open record: T39 

Came through FQ at West Lancs to book a first Open appearance since 2018.

136. Dan Bradbury 

Open record: MC 

The Yorkshireman loves South Africa. He won his maiden DP World Tour title there in 2022 to book a spot at Hoylake, and qualified for Troon through the OQS Series this time around. Shame The Open’s played in the UK, really. 

135. Aguri Iwasaki 

Open record: Rookie 

Stick to making motorbikes, mate. 

134. Daniel Brown 

Open record: Rookie 

Holed a 20-footer to pip Sergio Garcia by one in Final Qualifying at West Lancs, which is good/bad – depending on your feelings about Sergio Garcia. 

133. Ryan van Velzen 

Open record: Rookie 

The player who most sounds like he should be slaying vampires for a living. 

132. Jorge Campillo 

Open record: MC-MC-MC-MC 

Stranger things have happened.

•  Tiger Woods told to retire by golf legend

131. Jack McDonald 

Open record: Rookie 

Grew up in Barassie, so where better to make your Open debut? Really hope his pals call him Jack Mac. Will try and hunt him down at Troon and ask. Don’t say I don’t ever do anything for you lot. 

130. Minkyu Kim 

Open record: MC 

Imagine not even being the second (or third) best player in the field with your name. 

129. Sebastian Soderberg 

Open record: Rookie 

The 30-year-old is making his Open debut and just his fourth major appearance overall. His best finish so far in the other three is a tie for 53rd. Made headlines earlier this season for conceding an eight-stroke lead at the Scandinavian Mixed to allow fellow Swede Linn Grant to win. 

128. Nacho Elvira 

Open record: MC 

A late bloomer, the Spaniard is playing in just his second major at the age of 37. His first, last year’s Open, ended in a missed cut. The only way is up, I suppose. 

127. Luis Masaveu (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

Qualified at Royal Cinque Ports despite playing with a set of old, borrowed clubs after the Spaniard’s went missing at a tournament in Denmark a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully he’s taking them to Troon.   

126. Keita Nakajima 

Open record: MC-MC 

In for Troon as the winner of the Federation Ranking – a new Open exemption category for international stars. Into the world’s top 100 thanks to a stellar season on the DP World and Japan Tours. 

125. Jaime Montojo (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

Qualified at Royal Cinq Ports – with his mum on the bag, no less! – alongside his clubmate and fellow Spanish amateur Luis Masaveu. You’ll probably know the Texas A&M student best as the great-grandson of the 1946 and 1948 Spanish Women’s Amateur runner-up.

124. Joe Dean 

Open record: Rookie 

A late charge saw him qualify through OQS Netherlands on the day before his 30th birthday. The only player in the field whose name can be sung to the tune of a Dolly Parton hit. 

123. Daniel Hillier 

Open record: MC-MC 

Keep going, guys. There’s a long way to go. 

122. Younghan Song 

Open record: T62 

Song’s claim to fame is he beat Jordan Spieth – then the world No 1 and reigning Masters and US Open champion – at the Singapore Open to claim his first Japan Tour victory. Spieth had the last laugh, though, winning the following year’s Open, which also happens to be Song’s only appearance in golf’s oldest major. 

121. Ernie Els 

Open record: MC-5-6-24-11-2-10-29-24-2-3-W-18-2-34-3-4-7-T8-MC-MC-W-T26-MC-T65-MC-61-MC-T32-MC-MC-MC 

Look at that record from 1992 to 2009 – 12 top tens! Also, none of those finishes were tied with any other player, which must be some sort of record? Can someone look that up, please? 

120. Calum Scott (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

Earned a late spot at Troon through the Open Amateur Series to ensure there will be four Scots and three Scotts in the field. 

119. Angel Hidalgo 

Open record: Rookie 

Wrote himself into Final Qualifying folklore – if there is such a thing – when, needing a birdie on the 36th hole to take a spot in a two-of-four play-off at Cinq Ports, he holed his approach for eagle and a spot in the field at Troon.

118. Michael Hendry 

Open record: Rookie 

If you’re looking for someone to root for at Troon, put Hendry high on your list. The New Zealander earned an Open debut at Hoylake last year before a leukemia diagnosis kept him out of the game for several months. Will tee up as a medical exemption and firm fan favourite. 

117. Liam Nolan (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

The player in the field whose name sounds most like a League One left-back.  

116. Tom Hoge 

Open record: MC-MC 

You’d just save your airfare, wouldn’t you?  

115. Tommy Morrison 

Open record: Rookie 

You won’t miss Young Tommy Morrison at Troon. He’s 19 and six-foot-nine. 

114. CT Pan 

Open record: MC-MC-MC 

Just happy to be in the right part of the world ahead of the Olympics, I imagine. 

113. Jacob Skov Olesen (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

Becoming the first Dane to win the prestigious Amateur Championship in June to book his place at Troon and next year’s Masters and US Open. This might be a record-breaking year for lefties entering The Open. I’ll look into it. (I won’t.)   

112. Rikuya Hoshino 

Open record: MC-MC-T60 

Quietly moved into the world’s top 100 with a prolific run on the Japan Tour, but the major record reads one T26, two T60s, a T62, and six missed cuts.  

111. Jeunghun Wang 

Open record: MC-MC 

Grow up. 

• How can you watch The Open on TV?

110. Taylor Moore 

Open record: MC 

Has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the past 18 months or so – but four years ago almost died when he found out one of his lungs had collapsed. File under Happy To Be Here.  

109. Romain Langasque 

Open record: T65-T63-MC-T33 

Shot a back-nine 31 on the final day of the 2016 Masters to equal the lowest by an amateur in the tournament’s history. I know, it’s not The Open, but I’m already running on fumes.  

108. Altin van der Merwe (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

Won the inaugural Africa Amateur Championship in February to book his Open debut, and he can’t wait to get going on the links. “I’m going to be licking my chops out there with just a little stingy two-iron all day.” Want him to win the Silver Medal for that quote alone.  

107. Yannik Paul 

Open record: MC 

It annoys me that his name isn’t Paul Yannik. For that reason, I’m out. 

106. Alexander Bjork 

Open record: MC-MC-MC-MC-T41 

Denied a second DP World Tour victory by fellow Swede Ludvig Aberg at the European Masters in September. If Bjork finishes above his compatriot at Troon, he will almost certainly be putting his hands on the Claret Jug. 

105. Ryosuke Kinoshita 

Open record: T59 

I swear every Japanese player in the field qualified via ‘The Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open’. Why did they call it that? 

104. John Catlin  

Open record: MC-MC 

Yet to see the weekend in golf’s oldest test, but is 2024 the Year of the Cat(lin). Probably not. 

103. Elvis Smylie 

Open record: Rookie 

Named after the singer (Presley, not Costello), Elvis came through Final Qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports while his mum, Liz, was commentating on the first day of Wimbledon, where she is a former women’s doubles and mixed doubles champion. Fun fact: nearby Prestwick Airport is the only part of Britain ever visited by Elvis (the singer, not the golfer) when his plane landed there to refuel in 1960. 

102. Jasper Stubbs (a) 

Open record: Rookie 

After hitting the opening tee shot of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne in 2023, the Aussie’s caddie suggested it would be pretty awesome to also sink the final putt of the tournament and put his name on the trophy. So he did just that.  

101. Gordon Sargent 

Open record: Rookie 

The Ayrshire Post reported that 1,000 men of Troon’s 6,628 population joined the ranks of World War 1 in 1914. Strong low-amateur vibes from this Sargent, in a town that contributed a lot. 

100. Maverick McNealy 

Open record: MC 

I don’t know why I’m surprised by the fact Mav has only played in one Open. Or that it was way back in 2017. Or that he missed the cut. But I am. So there’s that. 

99. Yuto Katsuragawa 

Open record: T22 

His name is making me incredibly hungry. 

98. Guido Migliozzi 

Open record: MC-MC-T64 

How is Guido 27? That T4 on his major debut at the 2021 US Open feels like a million years ago now. 

97. Brendon Todd 

Open record: T39-T12-MC-T49 

A miserable few years that included 37 missed cuts in 40 starts saw the American fall from the top 50 in the world to outside the top 2,000, but Todd has worked his way back and will make a fourth appearance at The Open, where he will finish in a tie for 51st.

96. Sami Valimaki 

Open record: T68 

Will compete with Tommy Fleetwood for Best Hair in the Field, but that’s about it, I imagine. 

95. Zach Johnson 

Open record: MC-MC-MC-20-51-T47-T76-T16-T9-T6-T47-W-T12-T14-T17-MC-MC-T55 

Wonder if he’ll still stay with Jordan Spieth and the gang now they don’t need him for a Ryder Cup pick. 

94. Phil Mickelson 

Open record: 73-MC-40-41-24-79-MC-11-30-66-59-3-60-22-MC-19-T48-T2-MC-W-T23-T20-2-MC-T24-MC-MC-MC-MC 

The six-time major winner and 2013 Open champion says he wants to be remembered for his time as a LIV golfer. We don’t think you need to worry about anyone remembering you too fondly, Phil.   

93. Shubhankar Sharma 

Open record: T51-T51-T8 

A top-ten last time out will have him believing.  

92. Adam Schenk 

Open record: MC 

Grew up on a farm in Indiana which grows grass that is sold to local golf courses. Not sure if any of it is links turf. His wife, Kourtney, is very funny. You should follow her on social media. 

91. Thriston Lawrence 

Open record: T42-T74 

Having a great couple of years on the DP World Tour, on which he has finished in the top 20 of the season-long standings for the past two years. Is his name pronounced like “Tristan”, though? 

90. Matthew Jordan 

Open record: MC-T10 

One of the feel-good stories at Hoylake last year when he came through qualifying before dropping a top-ten at his home club.  

• How much money does the Open champion take home?

89. Lucas Glover 

Open record: MC-27-78-MC-T48-T12-MC-MC-T20-MC 

The 2009 US Open champion is making his first appearance at The Open since George’s in ‘21 thanks to a mini career resurgence. 

88. Padraig Harrington 

Open record: 18-5-MC-29-20-37-5-22-MC-MC-1-1-T65-MC-MC-T39-T54-MC-T20-T36-MC-MC-MC-72-MC-T64 

Two-time champion golfer, T5 here in 1997, saw the weekend at all three majors he played in last year. All of that to say he’s not winning but could go well. 

87. Louis Oosthuizen 

Open record: MC-MC-MC-W-T54-T19-T36-T2-MC-MC-T28-T20-T3-MC-T23 

The captain of Stinger GC – a sentence so weird we simply had to commit to print – missed the cut on the Open’s two most recent visits to Royal Troon. Still, his name’s on the Jug and yours isn’t. Unless your name is Bill Rogers… 

86. Andy Ogletree 

Open record: Rookie 

Has reinvented himself and reignited his career on the Asian Tour via his association with LIV Golf. The world No.271 could Todd Hamilton this… 

85. JT Poston 

Open record: MC-T41 

They call him the Postman, because it sounds a bit like Poston. Just as well his name doesn’t rhyme with ‘missed cut’.  

84. Thorbjorn Olesen 

Open record: MC-T9-MC-T64-MC-T62-T12-T57-MC 

Doesn’t look a day older than 45. Ah, he’s 34. The Dane still has a few more cracks at the Open, then. 

83. Ryo Hisatsune 

Open record: Rookie 

Golf’s second most famous Ryo and the DP World’s Rookie of the Year in 2023 will tee up in just his third major appearance, after missing the cut at the Masters and a tie for 18th at the PGA.  

82. Denny McCarthy 

Open record: MC 

Rounds of 76 and 78 in largely friendly conditions during his debut at Hoylake last year. How will he deal with the Scottish summer? 

81. Chris Kirk 

Open record: T19-MC-MC-T42-MC 

This is The Open, so the next logical step in that atrocious run of results can only really be ‘W’. 

80. Mackenzie Hughes 

Open record: T6-MC 

Deserves a place at Royal Troon for the sole reason that he almost won the thing on his debut. Would be the first major winner born in Hamilton. (Not the one along the road.) 

79. Marcel Siem 

Open record: T27-MC-MC-MC-MC-T15-T41 

Firmly cemented himself as a fan favourite in this tournament in 2021 – Siem will turn 44 during Open week and, after his recent victory on the DP World Tour, is targeting a Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage next year. Can you imagine? Solid top-20 fodder for Troon. 

78. David Puig 

Open record: Rookie 

Snapped up by LIV Golf as a college student, Puig spent the 2023 season with Torque GC before joining fellow Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Eugenio Chacarra on Fireballs. Guess who his favourite player of all time is? Go on, you’ll never get it. 

77. Kurt Kitayama 

Open record: MC-MC-T72-T60 

Had a purple patch in 2022 and ‘23 that saw him finish 2nd at the Scottish Open and CJ Cup before beating Rory McIlroy by one to win his maiden PGA Tour title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and move into the world’s top 20. But a year is a long time in golf.

76. Francesco Molinari 

Open record: MC-T13-MC-MC-T39-T9-T15-T40-T36-MC-1-T11-MC-T15-MC 

That bogey-free 69 at Carnoustie in 2018 will live long in the memory. Likely has more chance of completing the Open hole-in-one double than lifting the Jug this year, however. 

75. Stephan Jaeger 

Open record: Rookie 

The German is one of only a handful of players to beat Scottie Scheffler this year. Also, we can call him Jaegerbomb, because he’s currently in the top 20 on the PGA Tour this year for Driving Distance. (I’m just saying. The joke works.) 

74. Eric Cole 

Open record: Rookie 

Last year’s Rookie of the Year will make his Open debut at 36. His dad, Bobby, played in five in the ‘70s, including a T7 at Lytham and a T3 at Carnoustie. Proper first-round-leader-who-misses-the-cut vibes. 

73. Jordan Smith 

Open record: MC-T47-T41 

One of a few players flying the flag for the DP World Tour. Leads in greens in regulation on that circuit this year, but the putter hasn’t been too hot. 

72. Adrian Meronk 

Open record: T42-T23  

Probably still too busy moaning about not making the 2023 Ryder Cup team to make a charge at Troon.

• Remembering Royal Troon’s Open champions

71. Joost Luiten 

Open record: T63-T45-MC-MC-MC-T44-T32-MC-T71 

Was in the Olympics, then he was out of the Olympics, then he was back in the Olympics, and now he’s out of the Olympics again. The 38-year-old won’t have much more luck in his pursuit of a Claret Jug, but at least he knows he’s in the tournament.  

70. Matt Wallace 

Open record: MC-T51-T40-MC 

Surprising Open record, really. Could have swore he had a top-ten on his CV. Needs a good week to prove he’s more than a J.Lindeberg model. 

69. Henrik Stenson 

Open record: MC-T34-T48-MC-T3-T13-T3-68-2-T39-T40-W-T11-T35-T20-MC-MC-T13 

Closed with a 63 to finish on 20-under last time the Open came to this part of Ayrshire. Suspect that won’t happen again.  

68. Vincent Norrman 

Open record: Rookie 

Has won the Barbasol Championship on the PGA Tour, the Irish Open on the DP World Tour, and had a hole-in-one albatross on a par-4 at the BMW International Open. But that double ‘r’ in his surname is quite annoying, isn’t it?  

67. Dustin Johnson 

Open record: MC-T14-T2-T9-T32-T12-T49-T9-T54-MC-T51-T8-T6-MC 

What happened, DJ? Once the most feared player in the world, the former world No.1 is a shadow of that now. Look at that Open record. Can we rule him out?

66. Matthew Southgate 

Open record: MC-T12-T6-T67-T23 

The popular Englishman was in tears after coming through Final Qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports: “The Open is the absolute best – I can’t wait. It just means everything.” Has a tidy, if short, Open CV that includes a tie for sixth at Birkdale in ‘17 and a a tie for 12 last time out at Troon. We’ll bump him up a few spots for that.    

65. Abraham Ancer 

Open record: MC-MC-T59-T11-T49 

Says being a race-car driver would be his dream job and flying a fighter jet is on his bucket list. The Mexican also has his own tequila brand – because of course he does. Not sure The Open provides the thrills and spills Ancer so obviously needs in life.

64. Si Woo Kim 

Open record: MC-T67-MC-T15-MC 

You’ll do well to find a man who plays more golf on the PGA Tour than Si Woo. Tremendous ball striker who is often let down by his putter, but he’s made $25 million on tour, so who are we to criticise? 

63. Stewart Cink 

Open record: 66-MC-41-30-59-34-14-MC-MC-6-MC-W-T48-T30-MC-T26-T47-T20-MC-T24-T20-MC-MC-T23 

The first paragraph of Cink’s bio on The Open website reads: “Will always be remembered as the man who prevented 59-year-old Tom Watson becoming the oldest-ever winner of a major title at Turnberry in 2009.” Even the organisers are mad at him! 

62. Gary Woodland 

Open record: T30-T34-T39-T58-T12-T70-T67-MC-MC-MC-T55 

Another player who will be incredibly easy to root for after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour earlier this year. The 2019 US Open champ’s best finish in this tournament was actually here in ‘16, when he finished just outside the top ten.

61. Adam Scott 

Open record: MC-T47-MC-MC-T42-T34-T8-T27-T16-MC-T27-T25-2-T3-T5-T10-T43-T22-T17-MC-T46-T15-T33 

Assuming he doesn’t injure himself before Thursday, the Most Handsome Man in Golf will make play in his 93rd consecutive major. He started that streak at the 2001 Open – six months before Akshay Bhatia was born. Won’t win. Will be the best looking.

60. Tom McKibbin 

Open record: Rookie 

Another Holywood star, the Northern Irishman made his major debut at last month’s US Open – where he finished in a highly-respectable tie for 41st. One of the standout rookies at Troon.

59. Joaquinn Niemann 

Open record: MC-T59-T53-MC 

Everyone keeps saying the Chilean has majors in him but there is no sign of that happening at The Open. He did have a 59 earlier this year, though, at LIV Golf Mexico, where he beat Sergio Garcia in a play-off. 

58. Sungjae Im 

Open record: MC-T81-T20 

An Open record that’s only getting better, but who knows which one of Im (geddit?) will turn up? 

57. Min Woo Lee 

Open record: MC-T21-T41 

As well known for his “Let Him Cook!” exploits on social media as he is his golf. Perhaps the R&A will “Let Him Cook!” at the past champions’ dinner as that feels like the closest he’ll get to Tuesday night’s shindig. 

56. Austin Eckroat 

Open record: Rookie 

Won his maiden PGA Tour title at the Cognizant Classic to leap into the world’s top 50 and book a spot at Troon, where he will compete in just his fifth major. He does have a top ten, though, at last year’s US Open. 

55. Sam Horsfield 

Open record: T67-MC 

Qualified at West Lancs thanks to LIV Golf colleagues Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood and at the expense of LIV Golf colleague Sergio Garcia. 

54. Nick Taylor 

Open record: MC 

There are only 30-odd players in the whole world better at golf than Taylor and yet he uses game-improvement clubs just like us. Hope he wins by five. 

53. Matteo Manassero 

Open record: T13-MC-MC-T19-MC-MC 

Somehow only his seventh Open appearance – and his first since it was last here at Troon. Is back in form, and it’s lovely to see. 

• The best par-3 holes on the Open rota

52. Laurie Canter 

Open record: MC-T37-T79-T17 

His Open bio says he was a promising tennis player as a junior and once played against Andy Murray. Who is Scottish. And we’re in Scotland. 

51. Rasmus Hojgaard 

Open record: MC 

Don’t shout “Rasmus!” unless you’re absolutely sure. He might not be on the PGA Tour like his identical twin Nicolai, but the younger Hojgaard can at least beat him on DP World Tour trophy count (4-3). And that’s the real quiz.  

50. Davis Thompson 

Open record: Rookie 

Has hit his purple patch on the PGA Tour and snatched a top-ten in his major debut at the US Open, so let’s put him down for a solid middle of the pack finish.  

49. Dean Burmester  

Open record: T40-T11 

Who said the Open Qualifying Series needs a revamp? Not Dean Burmester, anyway. Call this a DP World Tour event and he won’t be far away.

48. Emiliano Grillo 

Open record: T12-MC-MC-MC-T12-MC-T6 

What a peculiar Open CV that is – though most notably is the tie for 12th on debut the last time the Claret Jug was in this corner of Ayrshire. 

47. Ben Griffin 

Open record: MC 

You’ll know Griffin best as the guy you were desperate not to pip Bob MacIntyre to the Canadian Open crown earlier this year.  

46. Russell Henley 

Open record: T73-MC-T20-MC-T37-MC-MC-T62-MC 

Having one of his finer seasons on the PGA Tour, including three top-fives and a T7 at the US Open, but how can we ignore the Georgian’s miserable run in this championship? Henley is, however, one of the standout putters on tour this year, so let’s bump him up a couple of places. 

45. Keegan Bradley 

Open record: T34-T15-T19-MC-T18-79-MC-MC-MC-MC 

Remember when KB was appointed Team USA’s next Ryder Cup captain? Of course you can, it was inexplicably only a few days ago.  

44. Adam Hadwin 

Open record: MC-T35-T57-MC 

Needs a major win to reclaim the position of Most Famous Person In The Hadwin Family, currently occupied by his wife and social media star Jessica. 

43. Byeong Hun An  

Open record: MC-T26-MC-T59-MC-T51-T32-T26-T23 

More commonly known as Ben An, the South Korean player hasn’t quite hit the heights he’d hope in the Open. Spotty form this year which includes a WD due to illness and a third at the Wells Fargo. 

42. Nicolai Hojgaard 

Open record: MC-T53-T23 

The prodigiously long Dane’s career is very much on upward trajectory. But, recent form hasn’t been great for the Ryder Cupper. Hasn’t had a top 20 since January.

41. Christiaan Bezuidenhout 

Open record: MC-T53-T68-T49 

Spare a thought for Claret Jug engraver Garry Harvey if the South African wins.

40. Ewen Ferguson 

Open record: MC 

Only got in last week with that incredibly emotional win at the BMW International Open. Born just a few miles up the road, would be about as popular a winner as you can imagine.

39. Victor Perez 

Open record: MC-T34-T41 

Lived in Scotland for a few years, which will help.  

38. Harris English 

Open record: T54-T15-MC-T68-T46-T46-MC-MC 

English likes the US Open, with finishes of third, fourth and eighth in his national championship. Here, he likes a tie for 46th and missed cuts.

37. Billy Horschel 

Open record: MC-MC-T30-MC-MC-MC-T53-T21-MC 

A man who wears his heart on his sleeve, it’s hard not to love Horschel. Not had the best of times at the Open, but does have a win under his belt this year.   

36. Ryan Fox 

Open record: T49-MC-T39-T16-T67-MC-T52 

A strange Open CV given his love of links. The New Zealander’s dad is a World Cup winner with the All Blacks rugby team, while his grandfather was a Test match captain for his country’s cricket team, so probably needs a major win to become the most famous sportsman in his family.  

• When ‘Terrible’ Tom Weiskopf tamed Troon

35. Sam Burns  

Open record: T76-T42-MC 

Burns has banked loads of top-tens – and loads of money – this year, but it’s not happening for the American on the weekend. He’s a long shot for a reason.

34. Sepp Straka 

Open record: MC-T2 

Remember when we all used to say the John Deere Classic isn’t good prep for The Open? Well, the Austrian won it last year then came over and finished T2 at Hoylake, so stick that in your wiener schnitzel and smoke it. 

33. Matthieu Pavon 

Open record: MC 

Has played in one Open – in ‘17 at Birkdale, where he wasn’t even close to bothering the cut line. But the Frenchman has reinvented himself since moving Stateside and got his breakthrough win in just his third start of the season – at Torrey Pines, no less. A tie for 12th at Augusta and a top-five at Pinehurst are massively helping his cause here. 

32. Hideki Matsuyama 

Open record: T6-T39-T18-MC-T14-MC-MC-T68-T13 

Probably the biggest enigma in the game right now. Could win. Could just as easily finish DFL. On balance, will wind up around 20th. Definitely. Maybe. 

31. Max Homa 

Open record: T40-MC-T10 

Fun fact: Homa’s dad John is an acting coach in Hollywood, so he should be capable of a ‘gracious loser face’ when his son gets pipped in a play-off at Troon. 

30. Wyndham Clark  

Open record: T76-T33 

Considering his flaky form so far in 2024, it’s hard to imagine last year’s US Open champ putting up much of a fight at Troon. It is, however, easy to imagine him saying something daft – as appears to be his style – about the Claret Jug “not even being in my top-five jugs of all time”. 

29. Akshay Bhatia 

Open record: Rookie 

While Brian Harman was winning The Open at Hoylake last year, fellow left-hander Bhatia was capturing his first PGA Tour title at the co-sanctioned Barracuda Championship. Could become just the fourth lefty to lift the Claret Jug, after Bob Charles in ‘63, Phil Mickelson in ‘13 and Harman.

28. Robert MacIntyre 

Open record: T6-T8-T34-T71 

“I’m going to celebrate this one hard and we’ll pitch up to The Open when we pitch up to The Open.” His Scottish Open win would normally have bumped him up a few spots, but not entirely sure he’ll even turn up.  

27. Brian Harman 

Open record: T26-MC-MC-MC-MC-T19-T6-W 

The defending champion, Harman will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s dominant Open performance that, frankly, virtually no one saw coming. The Butcher, as he’s nicknamed, won his first major by six shots and it honestly felt like more than that, such was his dominance. Can he compete again or is he a one-major wonder? 

26. Sahith Theegala 

Open record: T34-MC 

Sahith – pronounced SAH-hith – has surged up the world rankings and, while he hasn’t quite managed to put it all together in a major, it feels like only a matter of time before he does. Would be a hugely popular winner. 

25. Tom Kim 

Open record: T47-T2 

While he may not be quite living up to his early career hype just yet, a tie for second for the popular South Korean last time out elevates him up these rankings. His form on the PGA Tour, which includes a play-off defeat to Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers in June, has bumped him up a couple of extra spots, too. 

24. Corey Conners  

Open record: MC-T15-T28-T52 

No Canadian has ever won the Claret Jug. Conners could be a good, if somewhat outside, bet to change that this year. Fresh from a T9 finish at the US Open, the two-time PGA Tour winner is in fine form this year. Crucially, he’s fourth in SG: Approach-the-Green and, as anybody who has ever played Troon knows, it’s a classic second-shot golf course. If he has a hot week with the putter, the 32-year-old could well contend. 

23. Justin Thomas 

Open record: T53-MC-MC-T11-T40-T53-MC 

What an utterly peculiar golfer Justin Thomas is at the moment. Could be anywhere from 5th to 155th in this ranking and you would nod along in agreement.  

• Turnberry issues plea to return to Open rota

22. Will Zalatoris 

Open record: WD-T28 

Was forced to withdraw in 2021 after an opening-round 69 and impressed at the 150th a year later. Missed last year’s Open with injury but he’s creeping his way back up the rankings as he looks to rediscover the form that made him a shoo-in for a major just a couple of years ago. 

21. Justin Rose 

Open record: 4-MC-30-22-MC-12-70-T13-MC-T44-MC-MC-T23-T6-T22-T54-T2-T20-T46-MC 

Qualified for his 21st Open appearance at Burnham & Berrow and immediately said he can go to Troon and win. He needs to, otherwise his overriding legacy in this tournament will be that T4 as an amateur in his debut. Which is not a bad thing, of course. 

20. Tony Finau

Open record: T18-T27-T9-3-T15-T28-MC 

Has a sneaky good Open record and is in good form but stands accused of being “too nice” to win a major. If he can channel his inner b*stard, he could get right in the mix. Probably quite hard when your real name is Milton.

19. Patrick Cantlay

Open record: T12-T41-MC-T8-T33 

When was the last time we had two really good majors in a row? Here comes Cantlay to spoil that… 

18. Matt Fitzpatrick

Open record: T44-MC-T44-MC-T20-T26-T21-T41 

A record as baffling as the fact he’s somehow played in eight Opens despite still being a teenager. The older Fitz bother missed the cut here last time at Troon, and something will have to click to avoid that happening again.  

17. Cameron Young

Open record: 2-T8 

A ludicrously good Open – nay, major – record given he’s yet to win on the PGA Tour. (A stat I still have to triple check every time.) Was a last-ditch Cam Smith surge away from breaking his duck in the 150th edition of golf’s oldest major. At the Home of Golf.

16. Brooks Koepka

Open record: MC-T67-T10-T6-T39-T4-T6-MC-T64 

Says his favourite golf course is the Old, but missed the cut there in the 150th. Wonder what he thinks about Troon. He didn’t qualify in ‘16, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Don’t bet against Koepka taking another step toward the Grand Slam.   

15. Tommy Fleetwood

Open record: MC-MC-MC-T27-T12-2-T33-T4-T10 

The player everyone wants to win this week, right? Despite a runner-up finish in ‘19 and a tie for 4th in the 150th, Fleetwood is yet to contend at an Open and that, really, is immeasurably disappointing. Maybe having regular caddie and best pal Ian Finnis back on the bag will help… 

14. Rickie Fowler

Open record: T14-T5-T31-MC-T2-T30-T46-T22-T28-T6-T53-T23 

The impossibly-popular Californian has never made his love of links golf a secret, and was heavily tipped to win The Open at some point – with a rampaging Rory McIlroy notably denying him in ‘14. But if you think I’m going to shunt him about 15 places up the rankings just for nostalgic reasons … you’d be absolutely right. 

13. Jason Day

Open record: T60-T30-T32-T58-T4-T22-T27-T17-MC-MC-T2 

A runner-up finish to Brian Harman last time out and a previous finish of T22 at Troon will bump the Aussie up a few places – but truth be told we’re more excited to see what sick garbs Malbon is going to have him rock in Ayrshire.

• The forgotten golf club at the heart of The Open

12. Tyrrell Hatton

Open record: MC-MC-MC-MC-T5-MC-T51-T6-MC-T11-T20 

Another player with a peculiar Open CV, but the sweary Englishman has just won his first LIV Golf title and has a T5 at Troon to build on. Probably the one to watch for those looking for a first British winner since Sir Nick all those years ago.

11. Shane Lowry

Open record: T37-T32-T9-MC-MC-MC-MC-W-T12-T21-MC 

Living proof that Open form largely means nothing and rendering this whole list largely irrelevant. The 2019 Champion Golfer is in some of the form of his life, and returned to the PGA Tour winners’ circle after five years away in April. But that doesn’t matter, remember?

10. Jordan Spieth

Open record: T44-T36-T4-T30-W-T9-T20-2-T8-T23 

Won it at Birkdale in ‘17 after that infamous trip via the driving range – and almost certainly should have won in ‘15 and ‘21 too. Has somehow found himself ranked down in the 30s by the OWGR, but he’ll always be top ten for me. LOOK AT THAT RECORD! 

9. Jon Rahm

Open record: T59-T44-MC-T11-T3-T34-T2 

Made his Open debut with a tie for 59th at Troon in ‘16, and is in honking major form since joining LIV Golf. But top-three finishes in the past three editions are enough for me to keep Senor Rahm nice and high up the rankings. 

8. Viktor Hovland

Open record: T12-T4-T13 

Hovland has had just one top-ten all season – a T3 at the PGA Championship, no less – which is ludicrous, really, from a man who banked more than $30 million last year thanks to three wins and the FedEx Cup jackpot. But that’s what happens when you tinker in pursuit of perfection. Still, Hovland is a fine links player and is one of the best in the world. While he rightly sits outside of the usual contenders, it would be silly to rule out the Norwegian.

7. Cameron Smith

Open record: MC-78-T20-T33-W-T33 

Sneaky good Open record including that win at the 150th, and is having a good season on LIV – where he is currently 8th in the standings. Says the best thing about being a professional golfer is experiencing different cultures. Wonder if he’ll spend his spare time drinking with teenagers on Barassie Beach…

6. Xander Schauffele

Open record: T20-T2-T41-T26-T15-T17 

We can no longer automatically assume that X will finish T18. His maiden major win at Valhalla in May has fully established the American as a threat here, there, and, well, everywhere. 

5. Collin Morikawa

Open record: W-MC-MC 

What a completely and utterly bizarre Open record. Morikawa lifted the Claret Jug on debut at St George’s, then hasn’t made a weekend since. But the Californian flusher is back in form this season, and his top-three finishes at the Masters and PGA Championship are enough for me to push him right up the rankings here.

4. Bryson DeChambeau

Open record: MC-T51-MC-T33-T8-T60 

Doesn’t have the best Open record, but BAD is arguably the best golfer on the planet right now who isn’t called Scottie or Nelly. Can The Scientist crack the code of winning on a links course? If anyone can, it’s him. Wonder what experiments he’s got up his sleeve ahead of a trip to Scotland’s west coast… 

3. Ludvig Aberg

Open record: Rookie 

A debutant… in the top three? Calm down, it only happened three years ago. The Swedish stud was beaten by just Scottie Scheffler at the Masters, and then clinched a tie for 12th at the US Open, having led through 54 holes. Colin Montgomerie thinks he’s going to win majors aplenty, and so do I. Why not start here in Troon? 

2. Rory McIlroy

Open record: 42-T47-T3-T25-T60-MC-W-T5-T4-T2-MC-T46-3-T6 

Some are saying McIlroy won’t get over his US Open disappointment for a long time. Maybe ever. Oh ye of little faith. Are you forgetting what he did just a few short weeks after his Masters meltdown in 2011? McIlroy says he feels “closer to that fifth major win than ever”, and I for one believe him, so he rolls straight in at No 2 for Royal Troon. He was tied-fifth here last time out, so he likes the place. 

1. Scottie Scheffler

Open record: T8-T21-T23 

I mean, who else was going to be No 1? Since Rory McIlroy told him to switch to a mallet putter, Scheffler captured his second major title at the Masters, as well as five other PGA Tour events to become the first player to win six titles before the calendar ticked over into July since Arnold Palmer in 1962. Yes, Scheffler’s season has been so ludicrous, even Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods couldn’t do what he’s done in the first half of the 2024 season. If the weather plays ball, Royal Troon will be right up his street, too. Welp. 

With thanks – in no particular order, except alphabetical – to Ben Parsons, John Turnbull, Lewis Fraser, and Michael McEwan. 

We will be hosting our special Open Commute episodes of The bunkered Podcast from Troon – so make sure you’re subscribed!

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