The Open: Fantasy Expert Picks

What: The Open
When: July 20th -€” 23^rd
Where: Royal Birkdale Golf
2016 Winner: Henrik Stenson (-20)
Purse: $10.25MM (Winner - $1.8MM)

Course: Royal Birkdale Golf. Ahh the Links courses. Established in 1889, Royal Birkdale Golf runs in Southport England right along the Irish Sea,  The course, designed by Frederick Hawtree and J.H. Taylor is a par 70 stretching 7,170 yards. The course features rolling hills, deep bunkers and a stadium effect making observation a breeze. The roughs and out of bounds can be dangerous and calculated placement will be crucial for success.

A Golfer.
Rory McIlroy. Somehow he seems to be forgotten in the fray and excitement despite the fact that he is ranked 4^th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). He has missed the cut in 3 of his last 4 tournaments but amidst his last 10 tournaments (and the 3 missed cuts) he also has a 17^th place finish (Travelers Championship), 35^th place finish (The PLAYERS Championship), 7^th place finish (Masters), 30^th place finish (WGC Dell Techonologies Match Play), 4^th place finish (Arnold Palmer Invitational), 7^th place finish (WGC Mexico Championship) and 2^nd place (BMW SA Open).

B Golfers:
Phil Mickelson. The Open encourages creativity which is perfect for Phil and a large reason why he has a win and two top ten finishes across his last 5 appearances. Add in his hunger to prove something after missing the US Open and I think this is going to be a time for him to shine. His last 5 tournaments this year: 20^th, 9^th, 22^nd, 29^th and 41^st.

Francisco Molinari.  4^th on the tour in strokes gained tee to green. He's made the cut the last 5 Open matches and prior to missing the cut at the US Open he had 4 straight top 25 finishes inclusive of 7 in the last 10 tournaments.

C Golfer.
Jon Rahm. After back to back missed cuts at the Memorial Tournamnet and the US Open, Jon went abroad to get his game back with an 11^th place finish at the HNA Open de France and a win at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. I think he has a good chance at a top 5 finish at the Open.

Dark Horse:
Zach Johnson. Accurate drives and fairways shots are always a cornerstone for success at the Open, perhaps that's why Zach Johnson has 3 top ten finishes in his last 5 appearances. 11^th in driving accuracy and always a strong irons player.

Current Stats on picks so far this season:
A Golfers: Avg finish 50th (36th percentile)
B Golfers: Avg finish: 50th (36th percentile)
C Golfers: Avg finish: 53rd (39th percentile)
Sleepers: Avg finish 50th (37th percentile)
2017 average 136 golfers per tournament.