The Open Championship invites players back to the ancestral home of golf, serving as a distinct challenge even for the most skilled golfers. Some thrive in links golf, enjoying the various strategies it demands, while others find it perplexing.
Achieving the prestigious career grand slam requires mastery across diverse course types, yet some players consistently struggle on links courses. As the 2025 Open Championship looms at Royal Portrush, we review five major champions who have faced hurdles at the Open in the past.
Key Strugglers:
-
Scottie Scheffler (9/2): Despite four Open appearances, his best finish is T7. His issues primarily lie on slower UK greens, where he’s consistently lost strokes.
-
Bryson DeChambeau (20-1): With only one top 10 in his Open career, DeChambeau finds himself at odds with the windy conditions typical of the tournament.
-
Justin Thomas (50-1): Known for his shot-making skills, Thomas has yet to break into the top 10 after multiple attempts, failing to perform consistently.
-
Matt Fitzpatrick (55-1): Despite being a former amateur champion, he has struggled at the Open with his best finish being T20.
-
Hideki Matsuyama (66-1): Matsuyama’s career at the Open has declined, with his debut being the peak of his performance amidst several missed cuts.
How will these golfers adapt to the course’s demands this year?
