Return To Troon: A Strong Links Test for 2024's 4th Major
Some Reignmakers options for the Open Championship
Before we look at Reignmaker options for this week at Troon, let’s take a look at last week’s results from the Scottish Open:
Collin Morikawa ($3.75, offer at $2.21) - T4
Ludvig Aberg ($3.60, offer at $3.00) - T4
Tommy Fleetwood ($1.49, offer at $0.70) - T34
Tom Kim ($1.44, offer at $0.47) - T15
Viktor Hovland ($1.21, offer at $0.76) - T46
Wyndham Clark ($1.00, offer at $0.55) - T10
Corey Conners ($0.95, offer at $0.34) - T10
Benny An ($0.79, offer at $0.34) - MC
Brian Harman ($0.62, offer at $0.28) - T21
Thomas Detry ($0.53, offer at $0.24) - T26
Very solid week with only Benny An missing the cut. Hovland still seems to be struggling for consistency in his game but pretty nice results throughout, especially at the top end as both were contending most of the week.
On to the final major of 2024, the Open Championship at Troon!
Troon
As always, if you are looking for more detailed stat and course breakdowns, there are plenty of other podcasts and content sources to find great statistical analysis on, with . For podcasts, I highly recommend the following to get an idea of what skills are key as well as where the industry is looking:
Pat Mayo Experience
Inside Golf Podcast - Andy Lack
300 Yards to Nowhere - Rick Run Good
SGPN Golf Gambling Podcast
The First Cut Golf
Fantasy Golf Degenerates
Since the last time the Open was held at Troon, they have added roughly 200 yards to the course, but it still sits at about 7,300+ yards so not overly lengthy. The rough is massively punitive and if the wind comes up, it becomes imperative to be in the fairway, with many pot bunkers around the course on top of it all. The greens are quite small so iron play will be important, particularly long irons. Discipline and course management will be extremely key this week as well in order to take what the course gives you.
Here are a few Core options in Reignmakers this week:
I’m leaving the top end this week. If I had to buy one of the leaders, I would likely skew to Scheffler whose accurate tee to green game and mental approach should play well here.
Tony Finau ($2.20, offer at $1.39)
Finau has been ball striking very well this year and has had a lot of success over the years on links style courses. He is adding strikes in all categories right now as well. He was around the leaderboard on a very tough US Open track too which required a strong approach to the game as well.
Sahith Theegala ($1.99, offer at $0.86)
Theegala’s game is rounding together right now. Links golf does require creativity which Sahith is starting to really channel again, coming off a nice performance at the Renaissance Club. His driver doesn’t leak like it used to either.
Patrick Cantlay ($1.50, offer at $0.95)
Cantlay’s season has not been near as bad as many would believe and he has quietly had some decent major performances as well as getting his strong all round game back in shape. This price is ridiculous for a top 10 golfer in the world and I kind of like some win equity here with a guy whose Open record isn’t that bad who is getting his game back.
Corey Conners ($1.45, offer at $0.77)
Conners is a perfect fit here and over the last month he has finally found a short game, both on and around the green that has been the only thing holding him back.
Tom Kim ($1.29, offer at $0.73)
TK will be a popular pick but for good reason as he has a great links record, an accurate driver which is now no longer as short as it has been in the past.
Brian Harman ($0.97, offer at $0.53)
To be fair, it is very unlikely for Harman to repeat. But everything is setting up like last year; he’s keeping the ball in the fairway and is deadly around and on the green and is playing with confidence. He is likely priced fairly here but his stat fit for Troon is very good.
Russell Henley ($0.60, offer at $0.29)
Basically Henley is Harman without the win. He has had a bad record in Opens but this is why the discount exists.
I honestly can’t wait for coffee golf this week; the Open always provides the right kind of chaos and if the wind gets up, it could be a very good test for the world’s best golfers.
Thanks for reading and feel free to like, subscribe, comment and share!