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2021 Open Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Royal St. George’s

By Mike Randleman

CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Detail View of Claret Jug Open signage during the first round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 19, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Detail View of Claret Jug Open signage during the first round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 19, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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The final men’s major championship of 2021 is upon us. What was long slotted as the penultimate major of the year now ushers out the four big tournaments in July.

The field of 156 players are descending on Royal St. George’s Golf Club, one of the tournament’s historic hosts, Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, Kent, England. It’s hosted 14 Open Championships with the first in 1894 and most recent in 2011 when Darren Clarke triumphed.

Notable winners here include Walter Hagen (x2), Sandy Lyle and Greg Norman.

Royal St. George’s was established in 1887. It was designed by Laidlaw Purves (what a name) and currently plays to a par 70 at 7,204 yards.

The course is distinctive for its undulating fairways and greens on otherwise flat property. There is full exposure to the sea and wind. Wind is one of the main defenses, as it is on most links layouts.

Royal St. George’s is one of the tougher tests in the rota. Greg Norman’s 13-under total in 1997 is the only winning score better than 5-under in the last five Opens at Royal St. George’s.

The weather forecast this week shows rain likely during the practice rounds, but clear for the tournament rounds. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 50s to low 70s with winds steady between 10-15 miles per hour.

Links golf is a contrast from the golf seen throughout the year, particularly on the PGA Tour. If you’re looking for players to back this week, seek out those who are comfortable playing the ground game.

Target golf can still be a strategy, but a player has to be in touch with how his ball will travel along the ground. Run-up shots are very much in play and without treeline, recovery shots are possible if you can avoid the heavier native grasses.

Every player in the top 15 in the Official World Golf Rankings is present this week, though there are plenty of notables who are missing the Open for various reasons. Masters champions Bubba Watson and Hideki Matsuyama are out due to COVID-19 related issues. Recent Rocket Mortgage Classic champion Cam Davis is unable to attend due to a green card issue.

Kevin Na and Matthew Wolff are electing to skip the event. As are South Koreans Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim as they prepare for the Olympics later this month.

Tiger Woods is also out recovering from injury. Here’s to hoping he’ll be back in the major mix in 2022.

Stats and areas of the game to look for start with approach, particularly from 175-200 yards which will be a common distance this week. Having a crafty short game and experience putting on slow European greens is also useful.

Get your rain gear ready, grab an extra cup of coffee if you’re tuning in from the Western Hemisphere and let’s get down to a week of links golf in the U.K.

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