With just two weeks to go until the start of the Open Championship, the last major of the men’s professional golf season, excitement is at its peak. From July 17 to 20, the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Northern Ireland, will be the venue for this prestigious tournament.
The prelude to this great event includes this week’s John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, and the Genesis Scottish Open in North Berwick, Scotland. Many of the world’s best golfers are already in Scottish lands, seeking to acclimatize to the links style of play.
The focus is on key figures: Will Scottie Scheffler, current world number one, complete the third leg of the Grand Slam in his career? Will Rory McIlroy overcome the ghosts of the past and redeem himself on the same course where he failed six years ago? Will Xander Schauffele find the form that led him to victory in the past?
In addition to the quest for glory in the major, players have the FedEx Cup playoffs and the upcoming Ryder Cup in mind. There are few opportunities left to impress captains Keegan Bradley (USA) and Luke Donald (Europe).
PGA Tour Power Rankings
Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler has dominated the season with three victories and leads the FedEx Cup standings. Before traveling to Scotland for the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open, Scheffler has maintained impressive consistency, without falling out of the top 25 in 14 tournaments, including nine top-eight finishes. His victories include the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the PGA Championship, and the Memorial Tournament. At the Renaissance Club in 2023, Scheffler tied for third place, demonstrating his skill on this type of course.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy hopes his stay in the UK will help him overcome his recent performance. After spending time with his family in London, he is preparing for two crucial weeks. In 2023, he won the Genesis Scottish Open, beating Robert MacIntyre by one stroke. In the previous season, McIlroy tied for fourth place.
Russell Henley
Henley, 36, is in great form, with eight top 10s in 14 starts. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March and was close to winning the Travelers Championship. His best result in a major was fifth place at last year’s Open Championship.
J.J. Spaun
Spaun, the surprising winner of the U.S. Open, continued his good performance with a tie for 14th place at the Travelers Championship. Spaun is in third place in the U.S. Ryder Cup team points standings.
Sepp Straka
Straka has achieved two victories on the PGA Tour this season. Despite not making the cut in the first three majors, he has maintained solid play. He is in sixth place in the European Ryder Cup team standings.
Justin Thomas
Thomas seeks to recover after an irregular start to the season in the majors. After winning the RBC Heritage, he aims to secure his place on the Ryder Cup team.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley, after winning the Travelers Championship, is in ninth place in points, demonstrating his potential to be selected for the Ryder Cup.
Ben Griffin
Griffin has had an outstanding summer, climbing to 17th in the world rankings. He won his first title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and won the Charles Schwab Challenge. In addition, he achieved two top 10 finishes in majors.
Collin Morikawa
Morikawa seeks to regain his form after a few difficult months. Although he hasn’t won since the Zozo Championship in October 2023, he has achieved two runner-up finishes this season.
Xander Schauffele
The current Open Championship champion seeks to regain his best form after an injury. Despite an irregular summer, he remains in second place in points for the Ryder Cup.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory, despite his consistent performance. He is currently second in the European Ryder Cup points standings.
Harris English
English has had an outstanding season, with his fifth PGA Tour victory at the Farmers Insurance Open. His good play in major events and his putting ability put him in a position to be considered for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland, although still in the process of improving his swing, won the Valspar Championship and finished third in the U.S. Open. He is in the Scottish Open.
Maverick McNealy
McNealy seeks to secure his place in the Ryder Cup with a good performance in the FedEx Cup season.
Ludvig Åberg
Åberg has had an inconsistent season. After winning the Genesis Invitational, he hasn’t achieved a top 10 in his last seven participations.
Shane Lowry
Lowry, after missing the cut at the U.S. Open, seeks to recover. His iron game has been outstanding.
Andrew Novak
Novak, after a good performance, has shown a more irregular performance.
Corey Conners
Conners was affected by a wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Open.
Brian Harman
Harman, champion of the Open Championship in 2023, seeks to improve his position in the Ryder Cup standings.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre has performed well recently. He returns home for the Scottish Open.
Sam Burns
Burns has shown improvement in his game, with several top 10 finishes.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay needs to improve his performance to secure his place on the Ryder Cup team.
Ryan Fox
Fox has achieved two playoff victories.
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama, after a promising start, has had an irregular performance.
Daniel Berger
Berger needs to improve his game to have a chance of being selected for the Ryder Cup.
The competition intensifies as we approach the Open Championship. Golfers will seek to secure their place in history.
