Brocket Hall predicts who will the 145th Open

This Thursday the 145^th Open will begin at Royal Troon, and once again promises to be a stern test for golfers of the highest ability.  Here are our tips for the week!

Ben Talbot

Dustin Johnson is my pick for the week. It might seem an obvious choice on the back of his recent U.S Open victory last month at Oakmont but the form book points very strongly in his favour. Golfers have to adapt their game in testing links conditions which is why The Open asks so much of players to go all the way. With this in mind, some golfers are able to adapt better to the conditions.

Back in 2012, Dustin Johnson came 2^nd at Royal St. Georges and should have won. He has the form; length and accuracy off the tee and a dominant golf game that can overcome Royal Troon this week.

Sam Flannery

The ranking might not say it, but Dustin Johnson is probably the best player in the world right now. He has won the last two tournaments he has played in which don’t come much bigger than the U.S Open and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. There’s no such thing as a sure thing in golf, but I expect Dustin Johnson to be there or thereabouts come Sunday evening…

Scott Cove

There are so many players who you wouldn’t be surprised to see win this week, just one look at the top 10 and you can see a whole list of possible winners in a really competitive Open. My choice is slightly outside of the box; I think Louis Oosthuizen will have a strong week. Although not in the greatest of form, he is a former Claret Jug holder and can clearly adapt to the conditions. He is also very solid under pressure and very little does his swing fail him; I think the fact that he is out of the spotlight this week can help him fly under the radar to challenge for a second Open victory.

George Ackerman

I called the winner of the U.S Open last month in Dustin Johnson but this time around I’m predicting Branden Grace to successfully battle the testing conditions. He hasn’t got fantastic Open form (his highest finish is T20th) but he has proven he can contend with the wind so I’m optimistic.

Tom Phillpotts

On the back of his victory at the Scottish Open which is ideal preparation for the coming week, Alex Noren is clearly in great form and has given everyone a very recent reminder of his ability to play links golf. Matthew Fitzpatrick is also someone who I think will perform well this week. He hits it straight which will be vital with the rough and wind he and the rest of the golfers will have to contend with.