Bit of a wild outside shout, but one of the best players of the last 20 years finished 2nd on his last PGA Tour start and is sitting at 1000.  The Open does tend to throw  a veteran or two into the mix....

I'll very much be rooting against you I'm afraid!

Jordan Spieth's ranks this season:
Back-9 scoring: 1st
Putts per round: 1st
Putting from 20-25 ft: 1st
Birdie %: 1st

Spieth may have a few OBs this week, could be his undoing!

why only two am?

Some notable prices
Marc Warren 610
Bubba 85
Soren Kjeldsen 280

Soren Kjeldsen

@335 last week

Yes Bubba has convinced himself the Open is not his thing! Hes wrong, I remember when they said similar things about Mickelson? So my theory is at the big odds he is, that if he gets off to a flyer he will settle into things and realise he has the game for links golf. If it gets windy Im not sure he would cope, not sure ive ever seen him hit balls through the wind, maybe he can? But his ability to move the ball around, his length, his scrambling all makes me think he is capable.

Not sure the  weather will treat both sides of the draw the same. Fri morn seems to have significant rain [along with the wind] and eases off Fri afternoon.

Looking at early starters Thur as having the advantage.

postage stamp 123 yds----your player is doomed short right bunker


rory practice 9




http://www.golfdigest.com/story/watch-rory-mcilroy-make-a-9-at-royal-troons-postage-stamp

you,d think all this talk of a fader,drawer, winning the tourney depending on the wind direction,that one of these multi millioaire golfers who practice 24,7 with balls and clubs that react to orders would be able to hit the BLOODY THING STRAIGHT, LOL

think DJ can overpower this course particularly front 9 down the wind, saver on Rory and stenson bigger prices Furyk 80s, Casey 80s, F Molinari 125, P.Lawrie top 10 28s if it does blow and rain .

FORECAST for the FIRTH of CLYDE...... Thursday & Sunday best of the week

http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/troon/ka10-6/hourly-weather-forecast/325660

http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/United-Kingdom/South-Ayrshire/Troon.aspx?sday=3

Reviewing the forecast for Troon over the next 7 days and the average daytime maximum temperature will be around 18°C, with a high for the week of 21°C expected on the afternoon of Friday 15th. The average minimum temperature will be 12°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Tuesday 12th at 10°C. The coming week will have mixed weather with some days dry and some seeing a little rain. Current predictions suggest Wednesday 12th will have the most precipitation with an accumulation of around 4.0mm. On the whole winds are likely to be moderate.

Cant remember from the last Open at Troon but looking at the card the first 3 holes are 367 yards, 390 Yards & 377 yards. With the wind behind these look drive-able! Was anyone taking them on last time?

Who was the last man to lead Day 1 and then miss the cut?  Come on all you golf afficionados.

rop

gmt • July 12, 2016 11:57 AM BST
Not sure I agree that any player would trade at odds on 2 clear with 9 to play! ,......

Hi

I always remember Jack Nicklaus lieing four, maybe five behind a surprise last round leader, with nine to play, ( Simon Owen maybe ) and big Jack realised that at that stage what he had to do was somehow turn the game into a match-play type scenario, and un-nerve his opponent.  He under-clubbed off the tee - to everyone's amazement ( Jack was a big hitter of the day ) - so as to get first crack at the tough par four green.  Playing first he crafted a two iron to eight feet and Owen cracked.  Jack dropped the putt and Owen double-bogeyed and a five shot lead was now only two.  Owen faltered and Jack won another Open.  As you rightly point out great players take control of their game and Jack always said he carried fifteen clubs in his bag, and the fifteenth was his unshakeable power of concentration!

i was there at st andrews when nicklaus beat owen, the crowd
was electric that day,

xmoneyx  • July 12, 2015 10:58 PM BST 
he said he played game console ([i]for St Andrew's last year)


Spieth’s familiarity with the Open venue, the Old Course at St Andrews, stems more from computers than reality.
“I have got a full swing simulator in my house,” Spieth explained. “I have played a few holes at St Andrews, made the fairways and greens firm. I was able to see some of the lines off the tees. Obviously it is not the same as being there but at least I get to see some of the holes so when I get there I’m not too surprised. I played it once but that was a long time ago.”[/i]

Wonder if SPIETHless had Troon on his computer.

Interesting that Paul lawrie plays with an injury.