The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon is set for an exciting finish on Sunday, with the leaderboard tightly packed with contenders. Billy Horschel currently leads at four under, while six players are three under, including Xander Schauffele. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is just two shots back at two under, along with Shane Lowry at one under and Justin Thomas at even par. In total, 11 players are within four shots of the lead, making it anyone’s game heading into the final round.
Senior writer Sean Zak believes Xander Schauffele has what it takes to win his second major of the year and create history as the first player to win two majors in a single season since 2018. Zak highlights Schauffele’s length off the tee and his ability to play in challenging wind conditions as key factors in his favor. With a sense of freedom in his game, Zak sees Schauffele as a strong contender to come out on top on Sunday at Royal Troon.
Assistant editor Zephyr Melton puts his money on Scottie Scheffler to emerge victorious on Sunday, despite a challenging week with the putter. Melton praises Scheffler’s ball-striking abilities, particularly on the back nine during Saturday’s round, and believes that he has the skills to overcome the tough conditions and secure the win. Despite being slightly under the radar, Melton sees Scheffler as a dark horse with the potential to claim the Claret Jug.
Senior editor Jessica Marksbury is intrigued by the unpredictable nature of the leaderboard heading into the final round of the Open Championship. She singles out Sam Burns as a player to watch, noting his impressive comeback after a rough start and his momentum heading into Sunday. Marksbury views Burns as a sleeper pick who could deliver a relaxed performance under pressure and potentially secure his first major victory at Royal Troon.
Managing editor Josh Berhow predicts Xander Schauffele to play consistent and mistake-free golf on Sunday, leveraging his experience from his previous major win to clinch his second major title. While acknowledging Scottie Scheffler’s strong position in the tournament, Berhow believes that Schauffele’s edge in experience could make the difference in the final outcome. However, Berhow expresses his desire to see Daniel Brown emerge as a surprise winner at the Open Championship.
Assistant editor Jack Hirsh is torn between his heart’s desire for Adam Scott to win the Open Championship and the reality of the playing field. Ultimately, Hirsh predicts a strong performance from Justin Thomas, who has been playing exceptionally well except for a brief period on Friday. Hirsh anticipates Thomas putting up a solid score of 65 on Sunday to secure his third major title, showcasing his talents and capability to excel under pressure at Royal Troon.
