HE'S THE SCHEFF THREAT TO RORY

THE Open Championship returns to the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush, scene of one of the greatest ever Irish sporting achievements when Shane Lowry memorably lifted the claret jug in 2019.

- DENIS KIRWAN

This year, the Dunluce Links will play as a challenging par 71 at 7,401 yards just 64 yards longer than in 2019. It's a pure links set within amazing dunes which perfectly frame the holes. It's all laid out in front of you and not tricked up in any way.

World Nol Scottie Scheffler is the 5/1 favourite but the Open has been the most difficult Major to predict as there has been a different winner for the past 11 years.

However, key trends point to a Scheffler victory. They are: (1) Follow the inform golfers. The last three winners, Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman and Cameron Smith were all in the form of their lives prior to lifting the claret jug. (2) Seventeen champions from the last 23 Opens had won a tournament in the calendar year prior to winning this tournament. (3) Seven of the last 11 winners were ranked in world top 10. (4) The 10-year average age of the winner is 29 and 5 months. (5) Ten of the last 11 winners had posted a top 20 in at least one of their previous 2 Majors. 29-year-old Scheffler ticks all those boxes.