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Flogas Brand Ambassador Gary Murphy - Tips for the Open 2024

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Royal Troon will host this week's 152nd OPEN and has a hard act to follow the drama of Pinehurst.Dechambeau will arrive after a warm weather prep in Valderamma on Liv.

The defending champion Brian Harman will return his Claret Jug and try to defend his crown without too much hope that he can. Rory will be the headline act. Can he finally get that elusive next major. So long the talk, has been what is the 5th major?

His ability to reverse the trend of disappointment has been found wanting but there can be no doubt that the reaction to Pinehurst is crucial. Shane Lowry struggled  massively after his US OPEN loss to Dustin Johnson

Mcllroy fans will hope that he can provide the ultimate bounce back. He did so in 2011 after Augusta to win his first major at the US OPEN. I think his performance at the Scottish Open Will have helped to get back on the horse.

Royal Troon is a drivers paradise and dependent on Mother Nature he should really enjoy the challenge. It is a very fair test and one that will suit his eye.

Scottie Scheffler is without doubt the strong favourite The biggest challenge this week is the pace of the greens. They normally run much slower than these guys face every week on Tour. Trying to adapt to hitting putts is a challenge.

Scheffler is too desperate to add more majors ASAP.When you are on a streak you want to rack up the majours. Hailing from Texas he will have no issue with the elements and if the regular Scottie turns up it is impossible for him not to be the guy to beat.

We have a decent Irish.representation and added excitement to see Liam Nolan tee it up. We are badly short of our top. amateurs making a successful transition into the pro ranks and this week will provide Nolan with a great platform. This is the company he will want to rock with in the future.

We have seen the top American amateurs do very well recently on the PGATOUR and that will give him great confidence.Rory Kick started his career with his silver medal at Carnoustie in 2007. It was an Irish double that week with Harrington claiming the Claret Jug.

The same again is possible this week. Hopefully Nolan can settle early and revel in this new environment. Shane Lowry will be excited with his chances.

He spent last week in Ireland and got plenty of links practice. He has all the tools to win again this week. It is five years since that historic victory in Portrush. The challenge of Troon should really fit well for Shane. The final major of the year does yet again, bring the curtain down and everyone is super keen to perform. That is the biggest hazard for all the top players. Most of them over prep try too hard and get in their own way. All the caddies dread these weeks as the players are overhyped. The guy that can win this battle gives himself a wonderful head start.

One can never forget the dual with Mickelson and the eventual champion Stenson the last time Troon hosted. Different majors can produce a leaderboard to confuse the form. Harman last year was the perfect example, but he played the perfect links game and that is the real key this week. There is no perfect way to play in an Open as it is such a mix with shot making and % thinking.

It is most rare to bully your way around for 4 days. Pinehurt also proved that you to need a substantial amount of lady luck. Dechambeau had it all in abundance to prevail. Sunday will identify the 'Champion.Golfer of the Year'

I would love to see a home player prevail and keep the final major of the year on this side.With Portrush waiting for next year the added excitement begins on Thursday. I can't wait to see who makes history come Sunday.

Tips:

Jon Rahm 

Tyrrell Hatton 

Gordon Sargent 

Romain Langasque

Sam Burns