SportsLine’s proven model simulated the RBC Canadian Open 2024 10,000 times and revealed its surprising golf picks

The PGA plays its first tournament of the year north of the United States border as the 2024 RBC Canadian Open tees off from Hamilton Golf Club in Ontario, Canada on Thursday at 6:45 a.m. ET. Rory McIlroy is the +330 favorite and the only golfer ranked in the top 10 in the world competing at the RBC Canadian Open 2024. This leaves a rather wide-open 2024 RBC Canadian Open field with the chance to see new winners and golfers earn valuable points toward the FedEx Cup standings. Sahith Theegala, ranked No. 12 in the world, is listed at +2000 and Tommy Fleetwood, ranked No. 13, is listed at +1800 in the latest 2024 RBC Canadian Open odds.

Canadian Nick Taylor won last year’s RBC Canadian Open as a significant longshot with odds longer than 50-1. Could there be a similar longshot with value this year? Taylor is +7000 to repeat as champion, so should you include him to win again in his native country in 2024 RBC Canadian Open bets? Before making any 2024 RBC Canadian Open picks, be sure to see the golf predictions and projected leaderboard from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

SportsLine’s proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June of 2020. In fact, the model is up almost $9,000 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament.

McClure’s model correctly predicted Scheffler would finish on top of the leaderboard at the 2024 Masters, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and The Players Championship this season. McClure also included Hideki Matsuyama in his best bets to win the 2024 Genesis Invitational. That bet hit at +9000, and for the entire tournament, McClure’s best bets returned nearly $1,000. And at the 2024 PGA Championship, the model correctly called Xander Schauffele’s first major victory heading into the weekend.

The model also predicted Rahm would be victorious at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. At the 2023 Masters, the model was all over Rahm’s second career major victory heading into the weekend. Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the third round, but the model still projected him as the winner. It was the second straight Masters win for the model, which also nailed Scheffler winning in 2022.

In addition, McClure’s best bets included Nick Taylor (70-1) winning the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, Jason Day (17-1) winning outright at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, and Rickie Fowler (14-1) finishing on top of the leaderboard at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic.

This same model has also nailed a whopping 12 majors entering the weekend, including the last three Masters and the 2024 PGA Championship. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.

Now that the RBC Canadian Open 2024 field is finalized, SportsLine simulated the tournament 10,000 times, and the results were surprising. Head to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard.

Top 2024 RBC Canadian Open predictions

One major surprise the model is calling for at the RBC Canadian Open 2024: Fleetwood, who finished as the runner-up last year and has the second-shortest odds this year, stumbles and barely cracks the top five. Fleetwood has made the cut in 114 of 136 PGA Tour events that he has played in, but he is still seeking his first victory. He has been outside the top 10 in his last three tournaments this season, including a T49 finish at the RBC Heritage.

Fleetwood ranks outside the top 100 on the PGA Tour in driving distance, GIR percentage and shots gained: approach to green. He did not play in this event when it was hosted by Hamilton Golf Club in 2019, which puts him at a disadvantage against some of the other golfers in the field. SportsLine’s model does not like Fleetwood’s chances of finally breaking through with a PGA Tour victory this week. See who else to fade here.

Another surprise: Taylor Pendrith, a 65-1 longshot, makes a strong run at the title. He has a much better chance to win it all than his odds imply, so he’s a target for anyone looking for a huge payday. The 32-year-old recently won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 5 and finished 11th or better in four straight tournaments entering the PGA Championship. Pendrith missed the cut at the PGA Championship but he only shot a 1-over par over his two days, keeping him close to the cut line.

Pendrith, a native of Ontario, played in the RBC Canadian Open twice as an amateur at Kent State University and once as a professional, making the cut twice. Pendrith played on various international tours before working his way up to the PGA Tour full-time in the 2021-22 PGA Tour season. Pendrith looks to become the second straight Canadian golfer to win the RBC Canadian Open and Taylor won with similar odds to him last year. Given his stronger play as of late and the chance to compete in his native Ontario, the model projects value in Pendrith to shock the PGA world at 65-1 odds. See who else to back here.

How to make 2024 RBC Canadian Open picks

The model is also targeting four other golfers with odds of 25-1 or longer to make a strong run at the title. Anyone who backs these longshots could hit it big. You can only see the model’s picks here.

Rory McIlroy +330
Tommy Fleetwood +1800
Sahith Theegala +2000
Shane Lowry +2200
Cameron Young +2200
Sam Burns +2500
Alex Noren +2500
Corey Conners +2500
Adam Scott +3000
Keith Mitchell +3500
Maverick McNealy +4000
Aaron Rai +4500
Mackenzie Hughes +4500
Akshay Bhatia +5000
Tom Kim +5000
Davis Thompson +5000
Erik van Rooyen +5500
Adam Hadwin +5500
Taylor Pendrith +6000
Kevin Yu +7000
Nick Taylor +7000
Matt Wallace +7500
Daniel Berger +7500
Doug Ghim +8000
Ryan Fox +8000
Mark Hubbard +8000
Ben Griffin +8000
Nicolai Hojgaard +8000
Robert MacIntyre +8000
Beau Hossler +8000
Ryo Hisatsune +9000
Davis Riley +9000
Thorbjorn Olesen +9000
Seamus Power +10000
Eric Cole +10000
Adam Svensson +10000
Sam Stevens +11000
Greyson Sigg +11000
K.H. Lee +11000
S.H. Kim +11000
Luke List +11000
Matt Kuchar +12000
Andrew Novak +12000
Chan Kim +12000
Jhonattan Vegas +12000
Joseph Bramlett +12000
Nate Lashley +12000
Justin Lower +12000
Victor Perez +12000
Michael Kim +12000
Bud Cauley +12000
Sam Ryder +15000
Mac Meissner +15000
Chesson Hadley +15000
Kevin Tway +15000
Matti Schmid +15000
Ben Silverman +15000
C.T. Pan +15000
J.J. Spaun +15000
Gary Woodland +15000

A PGA Tour season laden with longshot winners makes a stop in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week for the 2024 Players Championship beginning on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass. In 10 PGA Tour events this year, six winners have been +10000 or longer, and five have been +15000 or more. The biggest longshot was then-amateur Nick Dunlap, who was +40000 to win The American Express. Before Scottie Scheffler’s win last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the shortest-priced player to win this season was Jake Knapp, who was +4000 at the Mexico Open at Vidanta.

This week, Scheffler is the +500 favorite in the 2024 Players Championship odds. Rory McIlroy (+1200), Xander Schauffele (+2000), Justin Thomas (+2000) and Viktor Hovland (+2200) round out the top five choices in The Players Championship 2024 field. Before locking in any 2024 Players Championship picks, make sure you see the PGA Tour predictions and best bets from golf betting and fantasy expert Sia Nejad.

Nejad specializes in betting and DFS in golf, among other sports. He’s had incredible success in the outright and first-round leader markets and in betting head-to-head matchups. He also has been solid with his head-to-head matchups since last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge, going 33-20-2 and returning 9.17 units over that span. That’s a $917 profit for $100 bettors since May 2023.

Nejad also nailed 75-1 longshot Wyndham Clark as the outright winner at the Wells Fargo Championship. In 2023, SportsLine debuted “The Early Wedge,” and in the first three months of the show, he hit two first-round leaders and three outright winners.

Now, Nejad has focused his attention on the 2024 Players Championship field and has locked in his best bets, top sleepers and favorites to avoid. See who they are at SportsLine.

Top 2024 Players Championship expert picks

One surprise: Nejad is completely fading McIlroy, even though he is a strong contender according to The Players Championship odds. The 34-year-old from Northern Ireland has been splitting his time this year between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. His best finish on the PGA Tour is 21st, at both the Cognizant Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

So far this season, he ranks 129th on tour in strokes gained: putting (-0.246). Despite that, he is still the clear second choice in the Players Championship at +1200. “Given his recent form, there’s no way I can take him at +1200 or less,” Nejad told SportsLine.

However, Nejad is high on the chances of Tom Hoge, who’s a +6600 longshot. Hoge has one win in 265 career starts on the PGA Tour. That victory came in the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. This season, Hoge’s best finish was a tie for sixth, also at Pebble Beach.

In five starts at The Players Championship, Hoge has made the cut all five times. Last year, he shot a third-round 62 and tied for third. “His approach game has been dialed in, and he has some good all-around recent form and history at TPC Sawgrass,” Nejad said. See whom else to back at SportsLine.

How to make 2024 Players Championship picks

Nejad has locked in his best bets for the 2024 Players Championship and is backing several longshots, including one that is priced at more than 60-1. This player “has been absolutely dialed-in with his approach game” and is a longshot who could surprise. You can see Nejad’s PGA Tour picks only at SportsLine.

So which players should you target or avoid for the 2024 Players Championship, and which player in The Players Championship 2024 field could bring a huge payday at more than 60-1? Check out the odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Sia Nejad’s top picks for the 2024 Players Championship, all from the expert who is 33-20-2 on his last 55 head-to-head picks.

2024 Players Championship odds, field

Scottie Scheffler +500
Rory McIlroy +1200
Xander Schauffele +2000
Justin Thomas +2000
Viktor Hovland +2200
Will Zalatoris +2500
Patrick Cantlay +2500
Max Homa +2500
Collin Morikawa +2800
Jordan Spieth +3000
Hideki Matsuyama +3000
Ludvig Aberg +3000
Wyndham Clark +3500
Shane Lowry +3500
Sam Burns +4000
Tommy Fleetwood +4500
Si Woo Kim +4500
Russell Henley +4500
Jason Day +4500
Cameron Young +4500
Sahith Theegala +5000
Min Woo Lee +5000
Brian Harman +5000
Byeong Hun An +5500
Tony Finau +6000
Tom Hoge +6000
Matt Fitzpatrick +6000
Corey Conners +6000
Tom Kim +7500
Sungjae Im +7500
Keith Mitchell +8000
Keegan Bradley +8000
Harris English +8000
Cam Davis +8000
Adam Scott +8000
Aaron Rai +8000
Justin Rose +9000
Eric Cole +9000
Emiliano Grillo +9000
Nick Taylor +10000
J.T. Poston +10000
Doug Ghim +10000
Chris Kirk +10000
Brendon Todd +10000
Andrew Putnam +10000
Alex Noren +10000
Adam Hadwin +10000
Nicolai Hojgaard +10000
Denny McCarthy +11000
Billy Horschel +11000
Stephan Jaeger +13000
Sepp Straka +13000
Rickie Fowler +13000
Matthieu Pavon +13000
Lucas Glover +13000
Jake Knapp +13000
Erik Van Rooyen +13000
Christiaan Bezuidenhout +13000
Beau Hossler +13000
Ryan Fox +15000
Luke List +15000
Kevin Yu +15000
Davis Thompson +15000
Austin Eckroat +15000
Akshay Bhatia +15000
Patrick Rodgers +18000
Maverick McNealy +18000
Andrew Novak +18000
Taylor Pendrith +20000
Thomas Detry +25000
Ryo Hisatsune +25000
Kurt Kitayama +25000
Taylor Moore +30000
Taylor Montgomery +30000
Seamus Power +30000
Sam Ryder +30000
Nick Dunlap +30000
Matt Wallace +30000
Matt Kuchar +30000
Lee Hodges +30000
K.H. Lee +30000
Justin Suh +30000
Gary Woodland +30000
Garrick Higgo +30000
Chesson Hadley +30000
Chan Kim +30000
Carson Young +30000
Ben Silverman +30000
Ben Kohles +30000
Ben Griffin +30000
Adam Svensson +30000
Webb Simpson +35000
Vincent Norrman +35000
Tyler Duncan +35000
Sami Valimaki +35000
Nico Echavarria +35000
Mark Hubbard +35000
Mackenzie Hughes +35000
Adam Schenk +35000
Troy Merritt +40000
Steve Stricker +40000
Robert MacIntyre +40000
Nick Hardy +40000
Martin Laird +40000
Justin Lower +40000
Joel Dahmen +40000
Jimmy Stanger +40000
J.J. Spaun +40000
Greyson Sigg +40000
Grayson Murray +40000
Francesco Molinari +40000
Charley Hoffman +40000
Chad Ramey +40000
C.T. Pan +40000
Brandon Wu +40000
Alex Smalley +40000
Aaron Baddeley +40000
Scott Stallings +50000
Sam Stevens +50000
Nate Lashley +50000
Michael Kim +50000
Matt NeSmith +50000
Joseph Bramlett +50000
Camilo Villegas +50000
Ben Martin +50000
Brice Garnett +50000
Zac Blair +60000
S.H. Kim +60000
Robby Shelton +60000
Matti Schmid +60000
Peter Malnati +80000
Harry Hall +80000
Dylan Wu +80000
David Skinns +80000
Carl Yuan +80000
Ryan Moore +100000
Kevin Streelman +100000
Hayden Buckley +100000
Davis Riley +100000
David Lipsky +100000
Tyson Alexander +150000
Chez Reavie +150000
Callum Tarren +150000
Ben Taylor +500000

Golf insider Patrick McDonald has revealed his 2024 Masters picks, PGA best bets and props for Augusta National

After turning pro in 2009, the 2024 Masters will be the first of Peter Malnati’s career thanks to a win at the Valspar Championship last week. The first round of the 2024 Masters Tournament begins on Thursday, April 11 at Augusta National Golf Club and Malnati jumped to a career-best 65th in the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler has won the last two of the last three times he’s teed it up and has spent 44 weeks in a row as the No. 1 player in the world. The 2022 Masters champion has eight PGA Tour wins in just over two calendar years and is the 5-1 favorite in the 2024 Masters odds.

Meanwhile, Malnati is one of the latest entrants into the 2024 Masters field and a 250-1 longshot in the 2024 Masters futures. Before locking in any 2024 Masters picks or golf predictions, you need to see what proven golf betting expert Patrick McDonald has to say, considering his recent track record.

McDonald joined CBS Sports as a golf writer in 2022 after stops at NBC Sports and RyderCup.com. Covering the sport from a broader perspective, McDonald still likes to dip his toes into the betting pools on a weekly basis between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and more. Featured weekly on the Early Wedge, he has given out numerous winners already in 2024, including Jake Knapp (50-1) at the Mexico Open.

Now, McDonald has focused his attention on the 2024 Masters field and has locked in his best bets, top sleepers and favorites to avoid. You can see only see them at SportsLine.

Top 2024 Masters expert picks
One stunning prediction from McDonald: He is high on Sam Burns, even though he is a 55-1 longshot. A former Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year while at LSU, Burns turned pro in 2017 and earned his PGA Tour card before the 2018-19 season, but didn’t break through with his first win until the 2021 Valspar Championship. Burns has added four more victories, including wins in the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge and 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

He’s No. 21 in the Official World Golf Ranking and also 21st in the FedEx Cup standings after four top-10 finishes over his first eight starts during the 2024 PGA Tour season. After missing the cut in his first Masters appearance in 2022, Burns finished 29th last year. His putting (top 20 in strokes gained: putting the last four seasons) should be a valuable asset moving forward at Augusta National Golf Club. See who else to back here.

How to make 2024 Masters picks, bets
McDonald is also jumping on an underdog who’s had plenty of success at Augusta National but is still listed at more than 100-1 to win it all. You can only see his 2024 Masters picks at SportsLine.

2024 Masters odds, field
See full 2024 Masters picks at SportsLine

Scottie Scheffler +500
Rory McIlroy +1000
Jon Rahm +1300
Brooks Koepka +2100
Jordan Spieth +2100
Will Zalatoris +2100
Viktor Hovland +2100
Xander Schauffele +2400
Ludvig Aberg +2400
Patrick Cantlay +2800
Justin Thomas +2800
Cameron Smith +3100
Hideki Matsuyama +3100
Collin Morikawa +3100
Joaquin Niemann +3100
Wyndham Clark +3100
Matt Fitzpatrick +3600
Dustin Johnson +3600
Tony Finau +4400
Max Homa +4400
Brian Harman +4600
Shane Lowry +4600
Cameron Young +4600
Jason Day +4600
Bryson DeChambeau +4600
Sam Burns +5500
Min Woo Lee +5500
Sahith Theegala +5500
Tommy Fleetwood +5500
Sung-Jae Im +7500
Tyrrell Hatton +7500
Corey Conners +9000
Tom Kim +9000
Justin Rose +9000
Patrick Reed +9000
Russell Henley +12000
Adam Scott +12000
Rickie Fowler +12000
Jake Knapp +12000
Phil Mickelson +16000
Harris English +16000
Sergio Garcia +16000
Tiger Woods +16000
Gary Woodland +19000
Keegan Bradley +19000
Si Woo Kim +19000
Chris Kirk +19000
Ryan Fox +19000
J.T. Poston +19000
Nick Dunlap +19000
Cameron Davis +19000
Thorbjorn Olesen +19000
Adrian Meronk +19000
Sepp Straka +19000
Nick Taylor +19000
Eric Cole +19000
Matthieu Pavon +19000
Emiliano Grillo +19000
Nicolai Hojgaard +19000
Luke List +21000
Adam Hadwin +21000
Charl Schwartzel +28000
Kurt Kitayama +28000
Bubba Watson +28000
Ryo Hisatsune +28000
Erik van Rooyen +28000
Danny Willett +34000
Denny McCarthy +34000
Lee Hodges +34000
Taylor Moore +43000
Adam Schenk +43000
Lucas Glover +43000
Grayson Murray +55000
Christo Lamprecht +55000
Mike Weir +100000
Jose Maria Olazabal +100000
Fred Couples +100000
Vijay Singh +100000
Zach Johnson +100000
Stewart Hagestad +100000
Jasper Stubbs +100000
Santiago De La Fuente +100000
Neal Shipley +100000

Florida has long been one of the premier golf destinations in the United States. With warm weather year-round, coastal scenery, and hundreds of championship courses, the Sunshine State offers something for every golfer. From iconic PGA Tour venues to hidden resort gems, Florida combines challenging layouts with unforgettable settings.

Here are some of the best golf courses in Florida where you can truly tee off in paradise.

TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium Course)

Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, TPC Sawgrass is one of the most famous courses in the world and the longtime home of The Players Championship. Designed by Pete Dye, the Stadium Course is known for its bold architecture and spectator-friendly layout.

The course’s signature hole is the par-3 17th, the legendary island green that has produced some of golf’s most dramatic moments. Precision and nerves are essential here, making it one of the most recognizable holes in the sport.

Seminole Golf Club

Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach is widely regarded as one of the finest courses in America. Designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1929, the course features strategic bunkering, fast greens, and stunning Atlantic Ocean views.

Seminole remains an extremely private club, but it has gained wider attention in recent years through televised charity matches and elite amateur events. Its classic design and coastal winds make it a true test of golf.

Streamsong Resort (Red, Blue, and Black)

Located in central Florida, Streamsong Resort offers a completely different type of golf experience. Built on former phosphate mining land, the landscape features massive dunes, rolling fairways, and dramatic elevation changes rarely seen in Florida.

The resort features three acclaimed courses:

• Streamsong Red designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
• Streamsong Blue by Tom Doak
• Streamsong Black by Gil Hanse

Each course offers a unique style while maintaining the resort’s rugged, links-inspired feel.

Bay Hill Club & Lodge

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club in Orlando is another must-play course in Florida. It hosts the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour and is known for its challenging layout and demanding finishing stretch.

Water hazards come into play on several holes, while the closing holes require precise shot-making under pressure. Playing Bay Hill allows golfers to experience a course deeply connected to Palmer’s legacy.

Trump National Doral (Blue Monster)

The Blue Monster at Trump National Doral in Miami is one of Florida’s most demanding courses. It has hosted numerous professional tournaments and remains famous for its length and difficult water hazards.

The par-4 18th hole, with water running along the entire left side, is considered one of the toughest finishing holes in golf. The course was redesigned by Gil Hanse and continues to challenge players of all skill levels.

Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)

The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor is home to the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. Unlike many Florida courses, Copperhead features rolling terrain and tree-lined fairways.

Its closing stretch, known as the “Snake Pit,” is one of the most difficult finishing sequences on the PGA Tour and regularly determines the tournament champion.

TPC Tampa Bay

TPC Tampa Bay offers a strong championship-style experience accessible to the public. The course winds through natural wetlands and cypress forests, creating a peaceful but challenging setting.

With well-maintained greens and strategic bunkering, it provides a taste of PGA Tour-level golf without the exclusivity of private clubs.

Naples Grande Golf Club

In southwest Florida, Naples Grande Golf Club blends tropical scenery with a demanding layout designed by Rees Jones. The course features lush vegetation, elevated greens, and carefully placed water hazards.

Players often encounter wildlife while playing, adding to the relaxed but scenic atmosphere that defines the Naples golf experience.

Why Florida remains a golf paradise

Florida’s reputation as a golf haven comes from more than just the number of courses. The state offers a mix of championship venues, luxury resorts, and year-round playability that few destinations can match.

From iconic tournament courses like TPC Sawgrass to unique resort experiences like Streamsong, Florida provides unforgettable rounds for golfers of every level.

Whether you’re planning a winter golf getaway or a bucket-list trip, Florida continues to deliver some of the most exciting and scenic golf experiences in the world.

Sia Nejad reveals his WM Phoenix Open 2024 picks, props and sleepers for the tournament nicknamed The People’s Open

Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler will go for a rare three-peat when he tees off at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open beginning on Thursday at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ranked No. 1 in the world, Scheffler can become the first player to win the same PGA Tour event three years in a row since Steve Stricker won the John Deere Classic from 2009-11. Scheffler also is looking to become just the fifth player to have won the WM Phoenix Open three times in the tournament’s 90-plus-year history.

Scheffler is the 9-2 favorite according to the latest 2024 WM Phoenix Open odds. Justin Thomas (+1000), Max Homa (+1400), Jordan Spieth (+1800), and Sam Burns (+2000) round out the top five choices in the WM Phoenix Open field. Before locking in any 2024 WM Phoenix Open picks, make sure you see the PGA Tour predictions and best bets from golf betting and fantasy expert Sia Nejad.

Nejad specializes in betting and DFS in golf, among other sports. He’s had incredible success in the outright and first-round leader markets and in betting head-to-head matchups. He also has been on fire with his head-to-head matchups since last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge, going 29-16-1 and returning 10.25 units over that span. That’s a $1,025 profit for $100 bettors since May 2023.

Nejad also nailed 75-1 longshot Wyndham Clark as the outright winner at the Wells Fargo Championship. In 2023, SportsLine debuted “The Early Wedge,” and in the first three months of the show, he hit two first-round leaders and three outright winners.

Now, Nejad has focused his attention on the 2024 WM Phoenix Open field and has locked in his best bets, top sleepers and favorites to avoid. See who they are at SportsLine.

Top 2024 WM Phoenix Open expert picks
One surprise: Nejad is completely fading Scheffler, even though he is the two-time defending champion. Scheffler is coming off a historic season in the strokes gained metrics. He led the PGA Tour in strokes gained: total, off-the-tee, approach, and around-the-green.

However, Scheffler famously struggled with the putter last season, ranking 162nd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: putting. So far this season, he hasn’t shown much improvement and he enters this week’s event ranked 117th in that category. “He’s absolutely fantastic and the clear No. 1 player in this field, but this number [+450] is too short,” Nejad told SportsLine.

However, Nejad is bullish on Sahith Theegala, who is listed at 35-1. Theegala has been on a roll since August. In his last 10 PGA Tour events, he has seven top-20 finishes and four top 10s. That includes a victory at the Fortinet Championship in September.

Nejad also likes that Theegala has been performing well in the strokes gained metrics. Theegala ranks 32nd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: total (1.079) and 37th in strokes gained: putting (0.621) this season. “His recent history and metrics are solid, and while he can be a little too inaccurate with the driver, his ball-striking and greens in regulation stats have been very good,” Nejad said. See whom else to back at SportsLine.

How to make 2024 WM Phoenix Open picks
Nejad has locked in his best bets for the 2024 WM Phoenix Open and is backing several longshots, including one that is priced at more than 70-1. This player is “trending well with the putter” and is a longshot who could surprise. You can see Nejad’s PGA Tour picks only at SportsLine.

So which players should you target or avoid for the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, and which player in the WM Phoenix Open 2024 field could bring a huge payday at more than 70-1? Check out the odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Sia Nejad’s top picks for the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, all from the expert who is 29-16-1 on his last 46 head-to-head picks.

2024 WM Phoenix Open odds, field
See Nejad’s picks, best bets and predictions here.

Scottie Scheffler +450
Justin Thomas +1000
Max Homa +1600
Sam Burns +1800
Jordan Spieth +1800
Min Woo Lee +2500
Byeong Hun An +2500
Matt Fitzpatrick +2800
J.T. Poston +2800
Wyndham Clark +3000
Sungjae Im +3000
Tom Kim +3500
Sahith Theegala +3500
Cameron Young +3500
Eric Cole +4000
Adam Hadwin +4000
Si Woo Kim +4500
Hideki Matsuyama +4500
Corey Conners +4500
Beau Hossler +4500
Adam Scott +4500
Rickie Fowler +5000
Brian Harman +5500
Thomas Detry +6000
Alex Noren +6000
Akshay Bhatia +6000
Emiliano Grillo +6500
Kurt Kitayama +7000
Kevin Yu +7000
Shane Lowry +7500
Keith Mitchell +7500
Denny McCarthy +7500
Mark Hubbard +8000
Christiaan Bezuidenhout +8000
Andrew Putnam +8000
Tom Hoge +9000
Erik Van Rooyen +9000
Adam Schenk +9000
Luke List +10000
Harris English +10000
Taylor Montgomery +11000
Michael Kim +11000
Lucas Glover +11000
Brendon Todd +11000
Billy Horschel +11000
Adam Svensson +11000
Aaron Rai +11000
Ryan Fox +13000
Matt Kuchar +13000
Daniel Berger +13000
Austin Eckroat +13000
Victor Perez +13000
Taylor Moore +15000
Nick Taylor +15000
Nate Lashley +15000
K.H. Lee +15000
Jake Knapp +15000
J.J. Spaun +15000
Gary Woodland +15000
Doug Ghim +15000
Davis Thompson +15000
Chesson Hadley +15000
Patton Kizzire +15000
Vincent Norrman +18000
Sam Ryder +18000
Matt Wallace +18000
Ben Griffin +18000
Scott Stallings +20000
Nick Hardy +20000
Justin Suh +20000
Brandon Wu +20000
Vince Whaley +25000
Tyler Duncan +25000
Seamus Power +25000
Sam Stevens +25000
S.H. Kim +25000
Maverick McNealy +25000
Matti Schmid +25000
Lee Hodges +25000
Joseph Bramlett +25000
Grayson Murray +25000
Chris Gotterup +25000
Cameron Champ +25000
Ben Kohles +25000
Alexander Bjork +25000
Will Gordon +30000
Robby Shelton +30000
Matt NeSmith +30000
Justin Lower +30000
Jhonattan Vegas +30000
Greyson Sigg +30000
Garrick Higgo +30000
Dylan Wu +30000
Charley Hoffman +30000
Carson Young +30000
Carl Yuan +30000
Camilo Villegas +30000
Ben Martin +30000
Sami Valimaki +30000
Troy Merritt +35000
Stewart Cink +35000
Ryan Moore +35000
Lanto Griffin +35000
Joel Dahmen +35000
Callum Tarren +35000
C.T. Pan +35000
Adrien Dumont De Chassart +35000
Aaron Baddeley +35000
Zach Johnson +40000
Zac Blair +40000
Kevin Streelman +40000
Harry Hall +40000
David Lipsky +40000
Chez Reavie +40000
Chad Ramey +40000
Bud Cauley +40000
Peter Malnati +50000
Nico Echavarria +50000
Martin Laird +50000
Jim Knous +50000
Hayden Buckley +60000
Andrew Novak +60000
Kevin Chappell +60000
Luke Donald +80000
Brandt Snedeker +100000
Nicolo Galletti +100000
Tyson Alexander +150000
Ben Taylor +150000
Ryan Brehm +200000
J.B. Holmes +250000
Kevin Stadler +500000
Jesse Mueller +500000

Europe hold a “sensational” 6½-1½ lead over the United States after a stunning opening day of the Ryder Cup in Rome.

The hosts swept the morning session for the first time to race into a 4-0 lead and held off a spirited US fightback to win 2½ -1½ in the afternoon.

Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm and Justin Rose all crucially holed putts on the 18th to pick up half points for Europe.

And England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, playing with Rory McIlroy, secured his first Ryder Cup point in a memorable 5&3 win.

Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, rattled off four birdies and an eagle from the second hole to put his pairing firmly in command of the bottom match against Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa.

McIlroy also knocked in a birdie of his own on the seventh as they reached six up.

It ended a run of five defeats in his previous two appearances for Fitzpatrick, while McIlroy picked up his second point of the day, after earlier partnering Tommy Fleetwood to victory.

Ryder Cup 2023 scores and playing stats

“Those putts by Viktor, Jon and Rose make a huge difference,” Europe captain Luke Donald told BBC Sport.

“It was sensational, a dream start for us. This morning was an amazing performance by the guys and this afternoon was tough.

“The US came back, we knew they would. They had a stretch there in the middle where the momentum was turning their way but man, did we turn it back.”

US captain Zach Johnson said he had been “proud” of his team’s “fight and character”, insisting “our time’s coming”.

“It looks like the European team executed golf shots a little bit better than we did, and that’s golf, so you tip the cap to Luke [Donald] and his team,” he added.

It was, however, the first time the US have not won a single match in a day and it is the joint-highest lead after day one, level with Europe in 2004 and the US in 1975.

“The fact that the Americans didn’t win a full point was incredible and just shows the heart, grit and determination that the European team has,” McIlroy told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.

“We have a ton of momentum and we’ll try to ride the crowd’s energy to win both sessions [on Saturday].”

That momentum was carried over from an electric atmosphere in the morning session that amped up 30 minutes before the first balls were struck.

Five-thousand fans packed into the stand surrounding the first tee, with thousands more lining the fairway on both sides all the way up to the first green.

The hosts were sensational from the off and the leaderboard was all blue from the moment McIlroy holed a birdie putt on the fourth as Donald’s men produced the fast start he had craved.

To illustrate Europe’s dominance, they did not trail in any match and won 22 holes to the Americans’ 10 as the defending champions suffered a demoralising morning.

Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton won the top match and their 4&3 win was equalled by Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.

Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka were 2&1 victors, while in the bottom match McIlroy and Fleetwood also came through 2&1, as Europe won all four opening session matches for the first time.

How the afternoon session unfolded

It was a different story in the second session. Aside from Fitzpatrick and McIlroy’s romp, the other afternoon matches were all more tense affairs that the US, arguably, could and should have won given they led late on in all three.

Wildcard picks and best friends Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, protecting a 100% record in fourballs, had been sent out first by US skipper Zach Johnson.

And when Thomas birdied the sixth hole, they gave the US a first lead in any match – an astonishing six-and-a-half hours after the first shot had been hit at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

The Americans looked to be cruising to a first full point at two up with five to play against Hovland and Hatton but then errors, which have blighted both their games in recent times, crept in.

That opened the door for Hatton and his birdies at the 14th and 16th holes to level the match were heartily welcomed by the majority of the estimated 55,000-strong crowd.

Hovland then holed from 25ft for a birdie at the last, gravity helping his ball drop into the hole with its final revolution. It proved crucial because Thomas was only 4ft away and he duly registered the first US half point.

The following match was equally tight, with Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard pegged back from two up after eight to all square by world number one Scottie Scheffler with wins on holes 10 and 11.

Brooks Koepka edged the Americans in front with a birdie on 15, but Rahm holed his second chip-in of the day to win the par-four 16th with an eagle.

The Spaniard’s wild celebrations were matched by an unusually animated Scheffler after he won the 17th to put the Americans one up with one to play and guarantee at least another half point.

A half point is all they would get though after Rahm produced another eagle to win the 18th, ramming a 33-footer into the hole at pace.

“There was definitely a bit of Seve magic on that one,” said Rahm, referring to the late Seve Ballesteros, who has a space dedicated to him in the European team’s dressing room.

“He definitely pulled that one towards the hole.”

Koepka, meanwhile, complained about Rahm’s behaviour on the course, saying: “I want to hit a board and pout just like Jon Rahm did. But, you know, it is what it is. Act like a child. But we’re adults. We move on.”

It is not clear what the Spaniard did, or on which hole, to attract the ire of his opponent.

That left one match out on the course, with Rose – partnered by Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre – at his grinding best, refusing to allow Americans Max Homa and Wyndham Clark breathing space.

Three times he won a hole on the back nine to reduce the deficit to one.

The final time was with a par on the 17th to send the match down the 18th and Rose nailed an eight-footer, before beating his chest in a fashion reminiscent of Ian Poulter, as he gave Europe a five-point lead after day one.

Saturday’s foursomes announced

Donald has kept with the same foursomes pairings for Saturday morning that were so successful on Friday.

McIlroy and Fleetwood will be first out and face Spieth and Thomas at 06:35 BST, while Hovland and rookie Aberg will play Scheffler and Koepka.

Lowry and Straka are in match three against Homa and Brian Harman, with Rahm and Hatton facing Patrick Cantlay and Schauffele in the final game.

Europe need 14½ points to regain the Ryder Cup, with the US requiring 14 to retain it.

Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point is an exceptional golf course that beautifully combines stunning natural landscapes with a challenging and well-designed layout. Located in the Bronx, New York, this golf course offers a unique and unforgettable golfing experience.

The first thing that strikes you when you arrive at Ferry Point is the picturesque setting. Situated along the shores of the East River, the course boasts breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, making it one of the most scenic golf courses in the entire New York City area. The combination of modern cityscape and pristine nature is truly awe-inspiring.

The golf course itself is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, which means it has been expertly crafted to provide golfers with a challenging yet enjoyable round. Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point spans over 7,400 yards, offering a variety of tee options to accommodate golfers of all skill levels. The fairways are meticulously manicured, and the greens are fast and true, providing a fantastic playing surface.

The layout of the course is both strategic and demanding. The fairways are relatively tight, but strategically placed bunkers and water hazards come into play on many holes, making shot placement crucial. Nicklaus’s design philosophy becomes evident as you navigate the course, with each hole presenting a unique blend of strategy and demand. The par-3s are particularly impressive, with stunning views and challenging distances, while the par-4s and par-5s offer a mix of shot-making opportunities and risk-reward scenarios.

Service at Ferry Point is top-notch, with a friendly and accommodating staff that goes out of their way to make your golfing experience enjoyable. The clubhouse is elegant and offers excellent dining options, making it a perfect place to unwind after a round of golf.

One potential drawback of Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point is the price. It’s a premium golf course, even though it is designated as a public course yet the green fees can be on the higher side. However, for the quality of the course, the service, and the unique setting, many golfers find it well worth the investment. I was in New York for a short visit and got the Tee off time booking for in early afternoon. But the starters at Ferry point were kind enough to adjust me for an earlier T off time.

Tight fairways and definite penalty (once you miss the fairway) due to thick bushes make it a tough course to score. As for an average golfer missing the fairway, which will happen a lot, means either losing the ball or getting an unplayable lie, for sure adding a couple of strokes to your score card.

And then, there’s the renowned 18th hole, a masterpiece that brilliantly encapsulates the essence of Ferry Point. This par-4 demands a strategic yet daring approach, with water hazards and bunkers strategically placed to test your mettle. The risk-reward scenario adds an extra layer of excitement to this concluding hole, ensuring that your round concludes on a memorable and exhilarating note.

In conclusion, Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point is a must play golf course for golf enthusiasts.. Its combination of a challenging layout, stunning views, and impeccable service make it a standout golf course. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option, the experience it provides is truly unforgettable. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to the city, playing a round at Ferry Point is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Author: Shoaeb Shams

Single figure golfer Carly Frost says the World Handicap System has caused a sensational and unpopular shake-up of handicaps

I’m not usually an outspoken person, but one thing I can say with absolute certainty is that I had far more fun playing competitive golf three years ago before the new World Handicap System (WHS) came into force.

Back then, things simply seemed fairer. Our handicaps were a truer reflection of our level of play, realistic and on the whole very accurate. I seldom spoke to a woman who felt her handicap was totally wrong. There was the odd club bandit but they were few and far between. Competitions were won with excellent, as opposed to extraordinary, scores.

I’m a low single figure handicapper who plays in two qualifiers a week, pretty much all year-round, course conditions and weather permitting. I’ve been in the prizes once this year – on the only day of the year the lowest two gross scores counted – our club championships. Yet look at the consistency of my week-in, week-out scores and a few years ago I would have won many more prizes.

My handicap has remained at 2, exactly where I started the year. On many occasions I scored 35 or 36 points in a stableford, that’s shooting just two-over-par, and was outside the top 10 and way off the prizes. A winning score has become virtually unachievable for me off my low handicap, up against women who have 20 or 30 shots more, but are perfectly capable of playing 10 under that handicap on their day and scoring 45 points or more.

Players who formerly had handicaps in the teens and are now in the mid-to-high twenties. Yet I’ve continued to pay my competition entry money each week and take part in every club competition because I have my own personal goals and aspirations. I want to continue to improve and stay competitive as in five years time, when I turn 50, I hope to compete on the England seniors circuit, and who knows, maybe even get a cap for my country.

Despite winning the south-west intermediate championship as a 20-year-old I was never quite good enough to contend in the national events against big-hitting juniors. My best finish was a top-10 in the English Amateur Championship at Stoneham Golf Club in Hampshire, a course that suited my skilful short game, rather than rewarding the big bombers. The seniors is my chance to shine.

Yet I look at the handicaps required to get into the national events now and I’m staggered. Somebody suggested that I enter the English Amateur Championship this past summer as it was being played on my doorstep at Broadstone and Ferndown golf clubs in Dorset. My handicap was nowhere near low enough, unless you were a plus handicapper you didn’t get a spot.

How many of these supposed plus handicappers have come down three shots or more since the WHS came into effect I wonder? It would be interesting to do a poll of club players, analysing what their former handicaps were versus now. I tee up against these women in county matches and I think, “How did they get as low as that?” It’s actually very easy. Just go and play a short course, put in an extra day card and shoot in the sixties a few times and hey presto! But where’s the pleasure in that?

With the WHS it is definitely easy to manipulate your handicap. There’s no judge or jury looking at the scores submitted, so how can they really be trusted? Golf is a self-regulating game after all. On the flip side of the coin, it’s exciting to think that I could, in a matter of only a few good rounds (8 out of the last 20 in fact), now find myself playing off the lowest handicap of my life.

In my 30 years of playing this game it has always been my ambition to achieve that elusive scratch handicap. I’m very competitive and relish every opportunity to play, both stroke play and match play. It used to feel like I was only chipping away at my handicap to get down low (as a category one player in the old CONGU handicap model I used to only come down 0.1 for every shot under my handicap) – now I can come down a whole shot in a matter of weeks by playing consistently well. That’s certainly an exciting prospect!

The majority of women I play golf with don’t share this sentiment. They don’t have the same consistency or ability to go low and, as a result, have found that their handicaps have soared up. A run of poor golf will see your handicap index rocket very easily and quickly with the way the new WHS is designed. Many women are embarrassed by their new high handicaps. Often sad or ashamed that they have gone from the steady silver division to the higher bronze section.

Such is the quantity of players now sitting in our club bronze team we can barely field a team for scratch matches anymore, and we have over 100 active women playing golf at my home club Parkstone in Dorset. The silver section (for handicaps 21 and under) used to be thriving. Instead it’s the bronze section that’s burgeoning now. As a result they’ve had to re-think the divisions at my club, with so many women competing for bronze prizes and so few for silver. It’s not just our club, it’s a problem I hear discussed among county delegates country-wide.

You may remember my rant last summer about playing in Opens. Things haven’t settled down. The scoring I’ve witnessed this year has remained spectacular. So I’ve stopped entering away days as too many women have realised that it pays to play off a higher handicap. They are playing the system by only putting in cards as and when they choose. That’s not how it was designed. You are supposed to put your scorecard in every time you play in order to get a true reflection of your ability.

I signed up to our summer club knock-out this year because I love match play, hoping to get through at least a few rounds. I got knocked out in the first stage by a woman who used to play off 17 and now has 25 shots. I had to give her 22 shots and was one-over-par gross when I lost on the 17th. I had played immaculate golf.

Our county inter-club competition has become a mockery. I used to play in these club matches with pride. I look back at the decades of pictures of me sporting my fuchsia pink club colours and feel sad that those days are gone. How many matches did I play in this summer? None. The simple reason is that clubs now field all their high handicappers so that they get given loads of shots. There’s no point in single figure players taking part.

As for grassroots girls golf, never before has it experienced a shock to the system quite like the jolt the World Handicap System has sent surging through it. I’m the regional press officer for the PGA and I speak to county and national coaches regularly. They are disgusted by the number of falsely handicapped juniors there are now. I hate to point the finger of blame but I think that parents have actively assisted their children to achieve the necessary low handicap on paper to get into the big events. These kids then turn up and shoot two scores in the eighties. It’s a joke.

The other stupidity of the new system is that after a summer of consistent golf, which let’s face it was played in pretty perfect conditions, many of us are stuck on a low handicap for the whole winter because we’re now in what I call the silly season, playing mainly fun format competitions rather than qualifiers. Just put in extra day cards I hear you say. Indeed that is an option, however our course, like many, has a winter programme of works with holes shut making it impossible.

Our Lady Captain and England referee Sheila Waltham have been very proactive in asking me my opinion on what could be done to make competitions fairer for the handful of single figure players at the club, so that we don’t feel like outsiders.

I suggested that we could introduce a new Gold division for players off a handicap of 12 or better, so that we are competing against our low handicap peers. Another solution is to introduce more scratch competitions. We had an open mic meeting about this at prize-giving after our club championship. The unanimous feeling in the room was that this would be a waste of time as no-one would enter. Our club has an ageing demographic of women whose handicaps are really only getting higher.

In the meantime, the handful of low handicappers like me who feel that competitions are no longer fair, are starting to consider why they belong to a club. If things carry on like this we will lose the members we want the most, the younger players whose handicaps are coming down. This to me is a sad situation and one that certainly needs addressing.

Women who have been around the game for 20+ years are questioning why we can’t just go back to the way things were? The old CONGU handicap system worked well. What you have to realize is that the new WHS is the result of a partnership between the USGA and the R&A – the game’s two big governing bodies. They have invested too much in the concept to make golf a global game to go back. The new system has been adopted by more than 100 federations across the globe. So the reality is, as much as those like me are opposed to the new WHS, we are simply not going back. We have to find solutions now using the new system to make things fair for all who play. For the future of the game we love.

Carly Frost authored and published this article on Golf Monthly.

One of Spain’s most prestigious golf resorts, Finca Cortesin, recently opened its fairways for a special charity event aimed at raising funds for humanitarian causes. The tournament brought together golfers and supporters for a day of competition while helping people in need.

Held at the resort’s renowned championship course in Casares, on Spain’s Costa del Sol, the event combined sport with social impact. Participants competed while supporting initiatives that assist refugees living in camps in Algeria.

Golf for a cause

The charity competition, known as the Karama Solidarity Golf Tournament, was organized by the Casarean Association of Friendship with the Sahrawi People. Funds raised from the event are dedicated to providing support for Sahrawi refugees living in the Tindouf camps in Algeria, where humanitarian assistance remains critical.

Events like this use the popularity of golf to raise awareness and financial support for social causes. By combining a competitive tournament with fundraising activities, organizers aim to channel the community spirit of the sport toward humanitarian aid.

Tournament format and schedule

The event took place on February 10 at the Finca Cortesin Golf Resort. All participants teed off simultaneously at 9:30 a.m., creating a lively start to the day’s competition.

Golfers competed in two categories:

• Men’s division
• Women’s division

In addition to the main competition, several special prizes were awarded to highlight standout performances during the round. These included awards for the longest drive and the shortest putt, encouraging players to showcase both power and precision.

Participation in the event required a €125 entry fee, which included the green fee and the use of a buggy for the round. With places limited, organizers encouraged golfers to register early to secure their spot.

A world-class venue

Hosting the charity event at Finca Cortesin added prestige to the tournament. The resort is widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading golf destinations and has staged several high-profile professional events.

Among its biggest achievements was hosting the 2023 Solheim Cup, one of the most prestigious competitions in women’s professional golf. The venue has also staged the Volvo World Match Play Championship on multiple occasions.

Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, the course blends challenging holes with striking Mediterranean scenery. Its immaculate fairways, carefully landscaped surroundings, and strong reputation among golfers make it an ideal setting for both professional tournaments and special events like charity competitions.

Supporting a humanitarian mission

The charity tournament’s central goal is to support Sahrawi refugees who have lived in camps in southwestern Algeria for decades. The organizing association works to provide humanitarian aid and help improve living conditions through programs focused on education, healthcare, and basic resources.

Through fundraising activities tied to the golf event, participants contribute directly to these initiatives. The tournament highlights how sports can play a role in raising awareness of humanitarian challenges and mobilizing resources for communities in need.

Sport and solidarity on the Costa del Sol

Golf has long been a major part of the Costa del Sol’s identity, often referred to as the “Costa del Golf” because of its concentration of high-quality courses. Events like the Finca Cortesin charity tournament demonstrate how the region’s golf culture can also be used to support social causes.

By bringing together local residents, visiting golfers, and supporters, the event fosters a sense of community while promoting charitable action.

More than just a tournament

While competition on the course remained a central part of the day, the broader purpose of the event was clear. Golf served as a platform for solidarity, allowing participants to enjoy a round at one of Spain’s finest courses while contributing to a meaningful cause.

With prizes, friendly competition, and a shared commitment to helping others, the Finca Cortesin charity golf tournament offered a reminder that sport can extend far beyond the fairways.

In the end, the biggest victory of the day was not just the winning scorecard but the collective effort to support communities facing hardship.

The Open Championship, often referred to simply as The Open, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious golf championships in the world. It has a rich and storied history that dates back to the 19th century, captivating golfers and fans alike with its tradition, challenges, and memorable moments. Let’s explore the history of The Open Championship:

Origins and Early Years:

The inaugural Open Championship took place in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. The tournament was organized by the Prestwick Golf Club’s captain, Allan Robertson, and professional golfer Tom Morris Sr. It featured a field of just eight golfers who played three rounds on the twelve-hole Prestwick course. Willie Park Sr., one of the prominent early golfers, emerged as the champion, claiming the Challenge Belt.

The Claret Jug and the Expansion:

In 1872, the original Challenge Belt was replaced with the now-iconic Claret Jug, which remains the trophy awarded to the winner of The Open Championship to this day. The tournament grew in popularity and expanded to include more players from across the United Kingdom. Prestigious golf courses such as St Andrews, Muirfield, and Royal St George’s became regular hosts for the championship.

Early Dominance and the Rise of Young Talent:

From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, a handful of golfers dominated The Open Championship. Legendary figures like Harry Vardon, James Braid, and John Henry Taylor etched their names in golf history with their multiple victories. Known as the “Great Triumvirate,” they combined for a total of 16 Open Championship titles between 1894 and 1914.

Post-War Era and Global Expansion:

After a hiatus due to the two World Wars, The Open Championship resumed in 1920. The tournament expanded its international reach, welcoming players from around the world. Golfers from the United States started participating and achieving success, with notable champions like Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, and Ben Hogan leaving their mark on the championship.

Modern Era and Iconic Moments:

In recent decades, The Open Championship has witnessed numerous memorable moments. In 1977, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus engaged in the famous “Duel in the Sun” at Turnberry, producing a thrilling battle for the ages. The championship has also seen international players such as Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, and Tiger Woods leaving an indelible impact with their triumphs.

Continued Prestige and Tradition:

Today, The Open Championship maintains its status as one of golf’s most prestigious events. It is considered one of the four major championships in professional golf, attracting the world’s best players. The tournament continues to rotate among various renowned golf courses in the United Kingdom, providing a unique test of skill, strategy, and adaptability to changing weather conditions.

With its rich history spanning over a century and a half, The Open Championship holds a special place in golf lore. Each year, the championship brings together golfers and fans from around the globe to witness the pursuit of the Claret Jug and the continuation of a tradition that celebrates the spirit of the game.

List of recent winners of The Open Championship from 2010 to 2022:

2022 – Cameron Smith (Australia)
2021 – Collin Morikawa (United States)
2020 – Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019 – Shane Lowry (Ireland)
2018 – Francesco Molinari (Italy)
2017 – Jordan Spieth (United States)
2016 – Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
2015 – Zach Johnson (United States)
2014 – Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland)
2013 – Phil Mickelson (United States)
2012 – Ernie Els (South Africa)
2011 – Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland)
2010 – Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa)