His way around the Old Course, but so do a few others
Thomas in a play-off for the PGA and then being beaten by Matt Fitzpatrick at the US Open in the last two months.
Injury forced him out of his Open debut after 18 holes last year, but he still shot 69 at Royal St George’s. SHANE LOWRY (Ireland) Age: 35. Previous Opens – 9. Best – Winner (2019)
There are few players better suited to the vagaries of links golf. A popular winner on Irish soil at Royal Portrush three years ago, Lowry has not actually won since.
But he finished fourth in last year’s US PGA and third at Augusta in April, so the tougher tests and the biggest stages bring out his flair, imagination and touch.
If the weather isn’t great or the wind picks up, that could play right into his hands.
BILLY HORSCHEL (USA)
Age: 35. Previous Opens – 7. Best – T30 (2015)
His Open record is not much to write home about, but the Florida golfer has picked up some big titles in his career.
He’s won the Fedex Cup and the World Match Play over in America, while he impressively bagged the BMW PGA at Wentworth last year. A four-shot winner at the Memorial last month, he can also call upon Justin Rose’s old caddie, Mark Fulcher, at key moments.
RYAN FOX (New Zealand) Age: 37. Previous Opens – 5. Best – T16 (2019)
Anyone looking for an outsider could do worse than this guy.
Fox won his second DP World Tour event in the Middle East in February, and is a regular on leaderboards ever since.
The Kiwi lost a play-off for the Dutch Open, tied for second in Belgium, was second at the Irish Open and had three other top-10s.
He began the year outside the world’s top 200 but is now inside the all-important top 50.