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15th Jul 2019 | Open Championship

Open Championship Trends

Open Championship Trends

Royal Portrush hosts the 148th Open Championship. We look at the trends of the last twelve winners for some pointers.

The Open Championship visits Royal Portrush, 68 years after the first in 1951. We look at the trends of the last twelve winners of the Open in the hope of finding some clues for this week.

Top-60 scoring average
An overarching metric that is a good test of a player’s all-round ability. Darren Clarke was a surprise winner in 2011, the only player in the last ten years to win with a scoring average outside of the top-60 on tour. The previously unheralded Louis Oosthuizen and Stewart Cink ranked 7th and 49th on their respective tours during their triumphs.

Top-60 in strokes gained tee-to-green
Pundits often say accuracy is key on a links course but more it’s quality tee-to-green that is needed. A combination of good driving (reasonably long and straight) plus excellent approach play is the recipe for success. Ten of the last eleven winners (PGA Tour data only) ranked inside the top-60 for strokes gained tee-to-green.

Open Championship form
A links course offers a unique challenge and therefore previous links experience is an advantage. Eleven of the last twelve winners recorded a top-15 finish at the Open prior to their wins. Ten of them came within five years of their wins. 

Players that qualify for all three trends (PGA Tour data only):
Adam Scott
Brooks Koepka
Dustin Johnson
Emiliano Grillo
Francesco Molinari
Gary Woodland
Henrik Stenson
Hideki Matsuyama
Jason Day
Jim Furyk
Justin Rose
Keegan Bradley
Louis Oosthuizen
Lucas Glover
Marc Leishman
Matt Kuchar
Patrick Cantlay
Patrick Reed
Paul Casey
Rickie Fowler
Rory McIlroy
Sergio Garcia
Tommy Fleetwood
Tony Finau
Webb Simpson
Xander Schauffele
Zach Johnson

Odds correct at time of publishing: 18:38 15th Jul, 2019 but subject to change

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