Open Championship: PGA DFS Picks & 2024 Playbook - Golf This Week
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Published: Jul 17, 2024
The PGA TOUR is sticking around in Scotland for another week, so of course we had to provide some PGA DFS picks. This time for The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon. This classic links course is a 7,385-yard par 71 with Bentgrass greens, hosting its 10th Open since 1923. Recent winners here include Henrik Stenson, Todd Hamilton, Justin Leonard, Mark Calcavecchia, and Tom Watson.
Royal Troon is your quintessential links course, right on the coast, where the weather can change in an instant. The undulating fairways with their humps and hollows can make tee shots unpredictable and approach shots tricky. Watch out for those deep pot bunkers, which are cleverly placed along fairways and around greens. Speaking of greens, Troon are tiny—only a quarter the size of those at St. Andrews.
Open Championship 2024
We've got a star-studded field this week, including Scottie Scheffler, fresh off a break after winning the Travelers Championship, plus Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Bryson DeChambeau. Troon, sitting right by the Firth of Clyde, is a true coastal links gem, ranking among the best on the Open Championship rota.
Recent history shows that success at the Scottish Open often translates to good results at The Open. Of the 23 players who finished in the top 10 at the Scottish Open in the past two years, 21 made the cut at The Open the following week. Ten straight Open winners met certain criteria, like having a runner-up finish in a previous major and a top-20 finish in a previous Open.
The course has been lengthened a bit for this year, but it still features those challenging pot bunkers. And if last week's weather was too calm for you, brace yourself—Friday and Saturday at Troon promise the chaotic Scottish weather we love.
Royal Troon Golf Club: Course Breakdown
Back in 1878, the head groundskeeper at Prestwick Golf Club decided to create a small 5-hole golf course next door, giving birth to Royal Troon Golf Club. Nestled along the coast of Troon in South Ayrshire, Scotland, it quickly became known for its stunning coastal landscape. By 1888, the club expanded to 18 holes, and by the early 1900s, it had earned a reputation for its challenging layout, hosting its first Open Championship in 1923.
Fast forward to today, and Royal Troon is preparing to host The Open for the 10th time in 2024. This course is famous for maintaining its natural charm while offering a tough test for the best players. The weather, always unpredictable, adds to the challenge.
Royal Troon is best known for two things: the epic 2016 duel between Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson, and the iconic par-3 8th hole, the Postage Stamp. The course has three distinct segments, each with its own character.
The opening six holes offer opportunities to score, with three short par-4s and two par-5s. The sixth hole, now 623 yards, is the longest in Open history. As players enter the dunes, the course's difficulty ramps up with longer par-4s and the infamous Postage Stamp.
The back nine starts with two tough holes, #10 and #11, both featuring blind tee shots. The closing stretch is a test of endurance with long, contoured holes and numerous pot bunkers. The par-5 16th is the last real chance for a birdie before the demanding par-3 17th and the final hole, a 458-yard par-4.
Looking back at the 2016 leaderboard, Royal Troon doesn’t favor one particular style of play. Driving accuracy and putting on slower greens are key. Experience in previous Opens is crucial, with most recent winners having a top-10 finish in prior Opens. Plus, performance in the season's first three Majors is a strong indicator of success.
So, buckle up for an exciting week at Royal Troon, where tradition meets challenge, and every shot counts.
2024 Open Championship Field
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is back in action after his win at the Travelers Championship. With six wins this season, including the Masters, Scheffler’s always been in the top 25 in his three Open Championship appearances.
Scotland’s own Robert MacIntyre heads to Royal Troon fresh off his Genesis Scottish Open victory, his second TOUR title in two months. He tied for sixth in his Open debut in 2019.
Brian Harman is eyeing a rare back-to-back Open win, a feat last achieved in 2008-09. He’s got three top-10s this season and a solid recent Open record.
Tiger Woods is playing all four majors this year for the first time since 2019. He made the cut at Augusta but missed out at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Woods, a three-time Open winner, was T9 at Royal Troon in 2004.
Rory McIlroy, looking to shake off his U.S. Open disappointment, finished T4 at the Genesis Scottish Open. Collin Morikawa, who won The Open in 2021, has missed the cut the last two times but has shown up at the Masters and PGA Championship.
Xander Schauffele has been top 10 at each major this season. Aaron Rai, Alex Noren, and Richard Mansell also secured their spots for The Open through the Genesis Scottish Open.
PGA Stats To Know: 2024 Open Championship
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee - Targets
- Rory McIlory - 2nd on Tour
- Scottie Scheffler - 4th on Tour
- Min Woo Lee - 7th on Tour
- Viktor Hovland - 10th on Tour
- Xander Schauffele - 12th on Tour
Strokes Gained: Around the Green - Targets
- Hideki Matsuyama - 1st on Tour
- Davis Thompson - 3rd on Tour
- C.T. Pan - 4th on Tour
- Justin Thomas - 5th on Tour
- Alex Noren - 6th on Tour
Strokes Gained: Putting - Targets
- Denny McCarthy - 2nd on Tour
- Jason Day - 5th on Tour
- Alexander Bjork - 8th on Tour
- Mackenzie Hughes - 8th on Tour
- Xander Schauffele - 10th on Tour
My Best Bets (37-67 Overall, -5.05 Units)
- Patrick Cantlay - Top 20 Finish (+160)
- Hideki Matsuyama - Top 20 Finish (+160)
- Jordan Spieth - Top 30 Finish (+125)
- Aaron Rai - Top 30 Finish (+120)
- Victor Perez - Top 40 Finish (+150)
- Jordan Smith - Top 40 Finish (+190)
One & Done Play
- Patrick Cantlay
PGA DFS Picks: Open Championship 2024
Top-Price DFS 2024 Open Championship
Bryson DeChambeau ($11,500)
Playing Scottie Scheffler at nearly $13,000 is a tough call, but hey, you do you! Personally, I’d go with Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champ, who’s $1,300 cheaper. If there’s one tournament where Scheffler might be more vulnerable, it’s this one (though we might regret saying that).
Now, DeChambeau hasn’t had the best history at The Open, with his best finish being a T8, same as Scheffler. However, Bryson’s been on fire this year. He’s shown incredible form in just three majors, making him hard to overlook. DeChambeau has been flexing his skills and power, consistently putting up solid performances. His aggressive style and long drives could really pay off at Royal Troon, especially if he keeps up his current momentum. So, if you’re looking for a strong contender with a bit of a price break, Bryson might just be your guy this week.
Rory McIlory ($11,400)
While it’s tough to pass on Scottie Scheffler, saving $1.4K with Rory McIlroy is the smart move for the Open Championship. Rory’s coming off a solid T4 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open and has been on a roll lately, finishing inside the top five in four of his last six starts.
McIlroy also has a strong history at Royal Troon, finishing T5 there in 2016. In fact, he’s had six top-six finishes in his last eight Open Championship appearances. This season, Rory’s been in great form on the PGA Tour, with multiple top-10 finishes and a win at the RBC Canadian Open.
When we look at this field’s last 50 rounds at courses in the UK or Ireland, McIlroy ranks first in Strokes Gained per round, according to the Rabbit Hole. He’s definitely the best starting piece for your cash game lineups this week. So, if you’re looking to make a savvy pick, Rory’s your guy!
Collin Morikawa ($9,900)
Collin Morikawa is in stellar form and looks poised to contend for his second Claret Jug this weekend. Fresh off a T4 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, Morikawa has racked up four top-five finishes in his last six starts. The 27-year-old has been consistently gaining strokes on approach in six straight events and ranks second in driving accuracy this season.
Morikawa's precision off the tee and with his irons makes him a perfect fit for Royal Troon. When Henrik Stenson won the Open here in 2016, he was fifth in driving accuracy and first in greens in regulation—two areas where Morikawa excels.
This season, Morikawa has been a standout on the PGA Tour, with multiple top-10 finishes and a strong showing in major championships. His game is sharp, and he's shown he can handle the pressure of big tournaments. So, keep an eye on Morikawa; he’s got all the tools to make a serious run at the title this weekend.
Mid-Price DFS 2024 Open Championship Picks
Tommy Fleetwood ($9,300)
Tommy Fleetwood has been on fire for months, and now he's back where he shines: Europe, and especially the Open Championship. He's got a great track record here, finishing in the top 12 in four of the last five Opens, including a T10 last year and a T4 in 2022.
Fleetwood’s had a strong PGA Tour season too, with a top-five finish at the Masters in April and a top-20 at the U.S. Open. He just missed a top-25 at the PGA Championship. His touch around the greens is amazing, which is why he does so well at the Open.
Fleetwood’s consistency and skills on links courses make him a serious contender this weekend. His precise iron play and deft touch around the greens are perfect for Royal Troon. Keep an eye on him—Fleetwood’s got what it takes to make a big run at the title.
Hideki Matsuyama ($8,500)
Royal Troon is a paradise for ball strikers, and Hideki Matsuyama is looking solid again now that his back and neck issues have eased up. After scoring a win at Riviera, he finished T6 at the U.S. Open, showing he’s back in the groove.
Matsuyama has a pretty good track record at The Open too, finishing T13 last year, so he knows how to tackle these links courses. This season, he’s been impressing on the PGA Tour, leading in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green, which is going to be super important this week. His putting has been hit-or-miss—his 3-putt avoidance is better than his overall putting—but his short game is definitely a strength.
With his ball-striking skills and ability to handle tricky conditions, Matsuyama is someone to keep an eye on this weekend. If he can get his putting sorted out, he could make a serious run for the title!
Jordan Spieth ($7,900)
The 2017 winner of this event has really established himself at The Open. He’s finished T4 or better in three of the last eight years and has never missed a cut in his 10 appearances. That’s pretty impressive!
Right now, he’s ranked second in total strokes gained at this major over the past five seasons, which says a lot about how well he plays in tough conditions. This year, Jordan Spieth has been on a roll on the PGA Tour, notching a couple of top finishes that show he’s got the skills to compete.
With his solid short game and knack for handling pressure, Spieth is always a player to watch in majors. Given his experience and success at The Open, he could definitely be a contender for another title this weekend. If he can find that winning rhythm again, he’ll be right in the mix!
Value-Price DFS 2024 Open Championship Picks
Aaron Rai ($7,300)
Aaron Rai snagged his spot in this week’s Open Championship with a solid T4 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, his fifth straight top-20 finish. He’s definitely on a roll! With his game ranking seventh in Strokes Gained: Approach and first in driving accuracy among this field's last 50 rounds, he’s a perfect fit for Royal Troon.
This season, Rai has been impressively consistent on the PGA Tour, really starting to make a name for himself. His knack for hitting fairways and sticking the greens with precision makes him a player to watch, especially on a tricky course like Troon. Plus, he’s still pretty underpriced for the upside he brings, which is a steal for anyone building their lineup.
With his recent form and strong stats, Rai has what it takes to shake things up this weekend. Keep an eye on him—he might just surprise everyone!
Louis Oosthuizen ($6,800)
Louis Oosthuizen has really been off the radar this year. He skipped the first three majors and hasn’t won any LIV tournaments, but somehow, he’s quietly moved up to fifth in the LIV standings with a couple of runner-up finishes.
Last year at The Open, he tied for 23rd, and while he missed the cut in 2022, he did finish T3 in 2021. Sure, his best days might be behind him, but at just $6,800, he’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a solid value pick.
With all his experience and past success in majors, Oosthuizen could still surprise us at Royal Troon. If he gets in the groove, who knows? He might just make a run for it!
Victor Perez ($6,200)
With a tough Par 71 and some wind in the forecast, I think the best ball-strikers are really going to shine on this course. Victor Perez can be a bit up and down with his scoring, but he’s got a lot of potential, especially with his underrated long game. He’s currently sitting 21st in strokes gained on approach over the last 50 rounds, which is pretty solid. Plus, he’s been crushing it off the tee lately, gaining over two strokes OTT in his last three outings.
This season, Perez has already racked up two top-five finishes—one in Canada and one in Puerto Rico—so he’s clearly capable of competing. He just had a great week at the Renaissance Club, gaining 6.0 strokes putting on those slower fescue greens, which landed him a T10 finish.
And here’s the kicker: he’s only $6,200 for DFS. With the upside he’s shown this year and how well his long game is coming together, he’s a fantastic value pick. If you're looking to mix things up in your lineups, Perez could definitely be the surprise player you want to watch!
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