Five Players to Follow at The Open
By: Derek Clements | Edited: Mon 12 Jul 2021
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Shane Lowry has held onto the Claret Jug for two years, but 155 other players at Royal St George's will be hoping to wrestle the iconic trophy from his grasp.
Everyone will have their favourites and picks to win, including Golfshake's Derek Clements. Having first selected his outsiders at Sandwich, our writer identifies the five players he is paying close attention to this week, and it's hard to argue with the choices!
Louis Oosthuizen
Playing quite beautifully, with runner-up finishes at both the US Open and US PGA Championship this season. He must surely add to the solitary major he won at St Andrews way back in 2010.
Jon Rahm
On the crest of a wave after winning the US Open. Clearly has the game to win, but his patience will be tried to the limit. However, he does enjoy links golf and is in the form of his life.
Viktor Hovland
Does anybody have a better temperament? Reels off top-10 finishes for fun and managed a win on the European Tour in only his second appearance. He has every shot in the book.
Jordan Spieth
Would love to add to his major tally and has enjoyed an extraordinary comeback in 2021. His putting skills are legendary but he needs to find a way to keep the ball in the fairway from the tee.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
The Englishman is one of the shorter hitters in the game but he hits it far enough and, crucially, hits it straight. Fitzpatrick is also blessed with one of the best putting strokes in the business.
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About the author
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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