The favourites to win 2024 Open Championship as McIlroy and DeChambeau resume rivalry at Troon
The final major of the summer is upon us as Royal Troon hosts the 2024 Open Championship later this week.
Brian Harman claimed Open glory last year, dominating the action at a weather-battered Hoylake to win by six strokes.
Harman returned the Claret Jug on Monday and will now try to win it again but he isn’t among the favourites.
Instead, the winners of the first three majors this year are being hotly tipped to claim another big title while Rory McIlroy is a frontrunner again too.
The famous links of Troon will provide a stern test of golf with the weather again set to be cold, wet and breezy.
And so, the world’s top players will have to be at their very best to claim victory come Sunday night.
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Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler has had one of the best seasons in PGA Tour history and would love to add another major win to his year.
Scheffler has won four signature events, The Players and The Masters already in 2024 - an incredible return from the undisputed world number one.
However, his fine form did not continue at the US Open last month, finishing T41, while the 28-year-old is also yet to be in contention for an Open title.
He will look to prove in Troon that his all-American game does translate to links golf and claim his third major crown.
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Rory McIlroy
McIlroy suffered heartbreak at the US Open at Pinehurst as his wait for another major victory went on.
The Northern Irishman played superbly until the final five holes on the Sunday, which let Bryson DeChambeau sneak in to snatch the win.
Now back on British soil, McIlroy will no doubt be in contention once again.
He won in Scotland last summer, has finished third and T6 in his last two Opens and played well in the 2016 Open at Troon.
Following a month off, he made an impressive return to golf at the Scottish Open, finishing T4.
Xander Schauffele
Another American in stellar form is PGA Championship winner Schauffele.
He followed up his win at Valhalla by performing well again at Pinehurst and is also a big fan of Scottish conditions.
He won the Scottish Open at Renaissance Club in 2022, displaying all the traits needed to be successful in this unique style of golf.
The 30-year-old has also been impressively consistent this season, securing 11 top-ten finishes in 16 events while only being outside the top 25 once.
He also performed well at Renaissance Club last weekend, finishing T15.
Ludvig Aberg
Swedish sensation Aberg is set to play in his first Open Championship this week.
But despite his young age and lack of experience, his stunning game means he's among the favourites straight away.
Aberg suffered a poor final round to miss out on the Scottish Open title last weekend but has still enjoyed a brilliant year.
He finished second at The Masters in April - his first ever major appearance - and was T12 at the tricky US Open too.
He also performed well at The Players earlier this year and will now be eyeing his breakthrough victory.
Bryson DeChambeau
As mentioned, DeChambeau’s win at the US Open showcased how he has matured as a champion.
DeChambeau bombed and gauged his way to victory at the 2020 US Open but his win at Pinehurst was filled with touch, nuance and skill to add to his famed power.
The American has been brilliant at all the majors this year and it’s hard to see that not continuing in Troon.
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He also played well at St Andrews two years ago which proved his game does work on the Scottish links.
DeChambeau finished ninth at LIV Golf Andalucia at a tough Valderrama last weekend.