SOUTHPORT, England — Who might hoist the claret jug after this week’s British Open?
Tommy Fleetwood
The romantic pick. Born and raised in the shadow of Birkdale, maybe this is the son of Southport’s time. It seems almost too good to be true, but why not?
Chris Gotterup
He’s won five times in the past two-plus years, including his breakout victory at last year’s Scottish Open followed by a tie for third at the British. Gotterup loves the creativity of links golf and is a master of the Tiger Woods “stinger’’ low shot. With the Birkdale turf baked out and firm, figure on him hitting stinger irons off the tee all week.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick always seems to be right there in tournaments. He’s won three times already this year and has finished inside the top five in six of his past 11 starts.
Justin Rose
He’s 45 going on 25. Rose finished T-3 in the Masters, T-10 in the PGA and T-11 last month in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He also contended at the Players Championship (T-13) and Memorial (T-12). Rose has finished runner-up at the Open twice and never won. Remember, he began his career with a T-4 at Birkdale in 1998 as a 17-year-old. Another romantic pick.
Matthew Jordan
Every Open has a relative no-name that vaults up the leaderboard sending reporters scrambling to search engines to read up about him. Jordan, from just outside Liverpool about an hour south of Birkdale, is a good bet to be that guy this week, having played the past three Opens and finished in the top 10 in two of them.
