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2019 British Open: The Official Pro Golf Now picks to Win

By Christopher O'Day

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Claret Jug is pictured at Royal Portrush Golf Club during a media event on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Claret Jug is pictured at Royal Portrush Golf Club during a media event on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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Rory McIlroy travels home for a shot at winning the British Open
NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND – JULY 13: Rory Mcilroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot on the 11th hole during Day 3 of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on July 13, 2019 in North Berwick, United Kingdom. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

Rory McIlroy – +850 (17/2)

Rory McIlroy is the overwhelming favorite from our staff to take home the Claret Jug at this year’s British Open. Along with the best odds in Vegas, Rory led the way for Pro Golf Now and was chosen by six members of our staff.

@Brandon_Raper – Brandon Raper’s Pick: Rory McIlroy – “Let me address one thing before my prediction here: the list of players who could bring home the Claret Jug from Royal Portrush this week is legitimately 15 or so players deep, and that’s not even counting the guys who could get hot for a week and claim the title.

People aren’t talking about the likes of Tommy Fleetwood or Rickie Fowler, but would you be shocked if either of those guys emerged victoriously? You shouldn’t be.

That said, as much as I love the game that Brooks Koepka has brought to the major championships over the last two years, I’m going to go with the star from Northern Ireland to win on his home soil. I’m going with Rory McIlroy.

I love the narrative of McIlroy setting the course record here when he was 16 years old, but that’s not what we’re talking about today. If we wanted to go back 14 years, I’d be picking Tiger Woods here, and it wouldn’t be particularly close.

No, I’m going with Rory because he’s gotten his game back where it needs to be to contend for majors like he was back in 2014. It’s been five years since McIlroy won the British Open and the PGA Championship to close that major season, and he’s finished inside the top five in each of the last three Opens.

Throw in a pair of top-ten finishes at the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship this season, as well as a cruising victory at last month’s RBC Canadian Open, and you know that McIlroy’s game is where it needs to be. If he can get off to a hot start and find himself at or near the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend, there aren’t many who I think would catch him.

This homecoming will be extra sweet when Rory McIlroy raises the historic prize on Sunday.”

@geeversgolf – Hans Geevers’ Pick: Rory McIlroy – In my opinion, the Open’s return to Northern Ireland will light a fire of motivation that will ultimately lead to victory. McIlroy has had an exceptional year in 2019. I think that Brooks is casting a shadow on him causing others to not recognize Rory’s year. Rory has TWO wins this year! The Players and The RBC Canadian Open. Not many Tour players can say that in 2019.

@JordanPerezSP – Jordan Perez’s Pick: Rory McIlroy – What better way to make 2019 Rory’s year than to claim a second British Open title three years in the making? Excluding his 2015 break, Rory’s three top-five finishes have only gotten better by the years: tie for fifth in 2016, tie for sixth in 2017 and tie for second in 2018. Tap even FURTHER back into Rory history for the record-shattering 61 he shot at Royal Portrush at just 16-years-old. Talk about advantage.

As if playing at home wasn’t already sweetening the deal, Rory’s leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee, and is only second in driving distance.

I don’t care if it’s been a whole five years since Rory’s last major. Spare your tomatoes, but the win at The Players this year was a feat in itself. Rory’s emerged in solid playing form again, and a little Northern Ireland familiarity will give him the leg up for another Claret Jug.

@DaveyMcWaters – Davey McWater’s Pick: Rory McIlroy – He will regain his form and sit atop come Sunday afternoon.

West Valentine’s Pick: Rory McIlroy – I think playing at home will be a boost, not a distraction. He’ll regain form.

@mdhirst95 – Matt Hirst’s Pick: Rory McIlroy – “I know, I know… I’m not exactly sticking my neck out with this one, but I simply haven’t been able to get Rory’s name out of my head going into this tournament. He’s been up there for me in every major for 2019, but ultimately, I haven’t felt comfortable in giving him the nod to win until now.

That’s because we’ve got a course that rewards length off the tee while still requiring precise course management and shot accuracy, all at a familiar venue for Rory.

Past that, the man is having a killer year. He has two wins, eleven top-10’s, twelve top-25’s, and just one missed cut versus the thirteen he’s made. Additionally, he was top-10 at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, also finding his way to a T21 finish at the Masters. Considering his performance lately in majors despite not having his best stuff, I think our man is hungry.

If Rory can keep himself out of trouble off the tee and get hot with the putter – a couple of things I can see him doing regardless of poor weather – I think he stands a great chance at hoisting his second British Open trophy.

Lastly, shall we talk about stars aligning? Rory’s pursuit for his second British Open will come at home in Northern Ireland, at Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links course specifically. Why does that matter? Because Rory already holds the course record of 61 at Dunluce Links, one which he set some 14 years ago at the 2005 North of Ireland Amateur Open at 16 years old.

Although the course has undergone many changes since I can’t help thinking such memories and comfort will provide certain confidence that McIlroy needs.”

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