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Open Championship power rankings: Top ten at Royal Birkdale

By Brandon Raper

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 06: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits his second shot on the 14th hole during day one of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on July 6, 2017 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

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Four years ago, Hideki Matsuyama made a splash in his first Open Championship, tying for sixth place in 2013. Having only turned professional three months earlier, Matsuyama was just a month removed from his U.S. Open debut, where he finished tied for tenth at Merion. That’s an interesting symmetry when you look at what he’s done in the years since.

In 2014, Matsuyama finished tied for 35th at the U.S. Open, and tied for 39th at the Open. In 2015, he tied for 18th at both Chambers Bay and St. Andrews. Last year, Matsuyama missed the cut at Oakmont and Royal Troon.

This year, Matsuyama shot the lowest final round score at Erin Hills, tying for second behind eventual champion Brooks Koepka. There’s no perfect comparison to be made; Erin Hills is not a true links course, but some of the features are the same. Still that major momentum has proven to carry over in the past for Matsuyama, and more of the same could be in store this week.

Two weeks ago, at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Matsuyama finished tied for 13th place, with three rounds in the 60s offset by a Saturday round of level-par 72. That’s solid form to build on as he chases his first major championship.

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