Adrian Mills' tips for the first day at Royal Troon include fast starts for two former major champions.
The first round of the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, Scotland begins on Thursday and every member of the field will be eager to get off to a hot start in South Ayrshire.
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson tasted success the last time the Major was held at this course, back in 2016, and he can be backed at 150/1 to lead the way after the opening 18 holes.
World number one Scottie Scheffler is the 14/1 favourite to be setting the pace come the end of round one, ahead of 18/1 Rory McIlroy and 25/1 Xander Schauffele, but there is value further down the betting and these are our three selections.
First-round leader selections
Wyndham Clark (e/w) @ 66/1
Alex Noren (e/w) @ 66/1
Justin Thomas (e/w) @ 50/1
Clark to keep Scottish momentum going
2023 US Open champion Wyndham Clark had been scratching around for form over the past month or so and he wouldn’t have been considered a contender for the Claret Jug if it wasn’t for his last two appearances.
The 30-year-old American secured a top-10 finish at the Travelers Championship before heading over to the Renaissance Club for last week’s Scottish Open, where he ended up in a tie for 10th thanks to a stellar final round.
Clark made eight birdies in a bogey-free round of 62, a score bettered only by Richard Mansell (61) on Sunday, and he can take the confidence from that fast finish into Thursday’s opener at Royal Troon.
Noren buoyed after clinching late Open spot
A drop in Alex Noren’s form over the last month almost resulted in him missing out on the 152nd Open Championship, but a superb closing round at last week’s Scottish Open ensured he grabbed one of the last three spots for the final Major of the season.
Sweden’s star mixed six birdies and a bogey to card a five-under-par 65, propelling him up the standings into a tie for 10th and booking his place in this week’s South Ayrshire spectacle.
Noren is sixth in round one scoring average on the PGA Tour this season, leaving just Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Schauffele, McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay ahead of him, and it would be no surprise to see the world number 55 get off to a quick start in Scotland.
Thomas to make hot start again
American Justin Thomas signed for an eight-under-par 62 in the first round of the Scottish Open to lead by one stroke and he will be hoping to replicate that type of performance at Royal Troon on Thursday.
The 31-year-old slipped away over the next 54 holes, highlighting his inability to string together four rounds right now, but his display on day one shows the quality he still possesses.
A consistent putter has been the main issue for Thomas this season, but if he can get the flat stick rolling like it was in the first round of the Scottish Open, he looks to have every chance of going low.
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