CHAMPION PREDICTION
at Carnoustie, a 63 in last year’s Alfred Dunhill Links. Cherishes fast and firm conditions. Doesn’t mind strong winds. Big chance.
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – Narrowing to a list of 10 contenders for the British Open is as demanding as hitting a tee shot into the wind on the 499-yard closing hole at Carnoustie.
Makes you wish David Letterman would have rolled out Top 25 lists. It wasn’t easy to keep defending champion and three-time major winner Jordan Spieth off the list. Even tougher to leave world No. 2 Justin Thomas off the list. Pretty tough to leave No. 5 Jon Rahm and No. 9 Jason Day off the list. But tough choices had to be made.
Here are USA TODAY’s Steve DiMeglio’s Top 10 contenders:
10. Adam Scott
Recent form isn’t in his favor. The 2013 Masters champion has but one top-10 finish on the PGA Tour this year. But he has five top-10s in the Open since 2006, loves links golf, can play in the wind and always seems to putt better on slightly slower greens.
9. Tony Finau
Finished in a tie for 10th in the Masters four days after he dislocated his ankle. Finished fifth in the U.S. Open. He’s been trending in the right direction for a while now. Huge talent, huge power.
8. Justin Rose
The 2013 U.S. Open champion has four top-10s in his past four starts, including a victory at Colonial. He’s had 17 top-10s in his last 22 starts worldwide. He’s primed to overcome his spotty record in the British Open — two top-10s in 16 starts.
7. Rory McIlroy
The four-time major champion has three top-5s in his last three starts in the Open, including his victory in 2014. Putting woes have stymied him this year. Said he’ll freewheel this week and likely use the driver many times. And that’s his best weapon.
6. Tommy Fleetwood
Closed the U.S. Open with a 63 to finish second. Holds the course record
5. Tiger Woods
Doesn’t need to use driver much, so that’s a plus. His ball-striking is solid, so that’s a plus. Has won two of his three Opens on fast and firm courses, and Carnoustie is fiery this week, so that’s a plus. His creativity and imagination take over in the oldest championship in golf, another plus. Lots of upside heading into this week.
4. Francesco Molinari
Has wins in the BMW Championship and the Quicken Loans National, a second and a tie for second in his past five starts. Rarely misses a fairway. Doesn’t have a weakness in his game right now.
3. Brooks Koepka
Has won the past two playings of the U.S. Open. Tied for 10th and tied for sixth in his past two starts in the British Open. Plenty of firepower to overcome any obstacle. Has never been more confident.
2. Dustin Johnson
The world No. 1 finished third in the U.S. Open in his last start. Won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in his previous start before that. Has 10 top-10s in his last 17 majors, including a victory in the 2016 U.S. Open. Every facet of his game is on point.
And the winner is ... Rickie Fowler
Come Sunday he won’t be part of the conversation about who is the best player not to have won a major. Coming off a sixth-place finish in last weekend’s Scottish Open, his confidence is brimming. He has three top-5s in his last five majors, including his runner-up finish in the Masters when his Sunday rush fell one shot shy. Loves links golf, loves playing in the wind. He’s very creative and one of the best putters in the world. It all adds up to possession of the Claret Jug.