British Open 2019: Featured pairings for the first two rounds at Royal Portrush
10: Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay, Matt Kuchar (10:21AM/3:21PM)
The final featured group of the first two rounds features three players, all at different stages of their careers, and all looking for their first major championship.
Patrick Cantlay is making just his second British Open start, after finishing tied for 12th place last year. He won this year’s Memorial Tournament, and he’s riding a streak of seven straight top-25 finishes that goes back to the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. He’s ranked tenth in the world, and deserves a bit more attention than he usually gets. Of course, that will come with two things: time, and more wins.
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Tee-to-green, there aren’t many players I’d rather be backing than Cantlay. He’s 10th in strokes gained off the tee (only 153rd in accuracy, though), 12th in strokes gained on approach, 25th in strokes gained putting, and second in overall strokes gained. Unsurprisingly, he’s first in adjusted scoring, too.
The time will come sooner or later…maybe as soon as this week. Maybe he’ll take some of that Brooks Koepka attitude – you don’t want to talk about him, so he’s going to make you talk about him.
Matt Kuchar has been enjoying a career year in 2019, with the 41-year-old leading the FedEx Cup on the back of two victories, two runner-ups, and eight overall top-tens. He’s missed just one cut, and has racked up over $6 million in prize money. Whether he’s the best player never to win a major is up to you, but he’s clearly the best without a major this year.
If not now, then when? Kuchar endured the heartbreak at Royal Birkdale in 2017, but then he came right back and finished T-9 last year at Carnoustie. He’s got the game needed to win an Open, and he just needs to keep everything going the same direction this week to give himself a shot.
Finally, Jon Rahm. This is a guy who I don’t always trust in, especially on a major championship stage, but this week I’m starting to believe that he’s got a shot again. I’m sure that’ll come back to bite me – and it’s part of why I stuck with Rory as my personal pick – but I wouldn’t be nearly as surprised to see Rahm-bo pull it off this week as I would have been even a year ago.
The Spaniard has finished 3-2-1 in his last three starts, including the U.S. Open and the Irish Open victory two weeks ago. He’s also been open about his desire to follow in the legendary footsteps of Spain’s greatest of all time, Seve Ballesteros. Seve won three Opens in his legendary career. Can Rahm win one this week to put his name at least in that same discussion? Only time will tell.
Next. British Open: Pro Golf Now staff picks for Royal Portrush. dark
There you have it – your full guide to the best groups to watch for the first two days at the 2019 British Open. Enjoy the year’s final major – I know I will!