With golf assembling for the final major of the season this week, Ludvig Aberg can forget his weekend woes from Renaissance and lift the Claret Jug.
As Royal Troon hosts the 152nd Open Championship, the cream of golf once again comes together in south Ayrshire in the most illustrious and oldest tournament in the game.
Twelve months on from winning his first major at Royal Liverpool, Brian Harman defends the title as the contenders circle.
And just perhaps, only days on from Scottish Open agony, we say Aberg can repeat Swedish history on Sunday evening.
Learning curve
For Ludvig Aberg, a first venture into links golf, for large parts of last week, looked to set to be a winning one.
Holding a two-shot lead on the front nine last Sunday, Aberg fell away however, carding a +4 final round score to finish four off popular home winner, Robert MacIntyre.
Part of Europe’s successful Ryder Cup team in Rome last Autumn, Aberg has the complete game to become one of the best.
Leaderboard update from @ScottishOpen 🏴
1. Ludvig Åberg thru 10 (-17)
2. Adam Scott thru 11 (-16)
3. Romain Langasque (-15)
T4. Aaron Rai (-14)
T4. Matteo Manassero thru 15
T4. Collin Morikawa thru 11
T4. Robert MacIntyre thru 10 pic.twitter.com/fTL1opdcZ2— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 14, 2024
Already a PGA and European Tour winner, the Texas Tech graduate together with Viktor Hovland and Sepp Straka have formed a wave of US-honed Euro talent.
Now world number 4, Aberg may have the odd chink in his game, but the 24-year-old has everything in the locker to not only conquer links and in particular this week, see Sweden keep hold of the Claret Jug.
Duel of the ‘Sons
Winding back the clock eight years to the last time Troon hosted the Open, fans were treated to one of the greatest final round duels in the annuls of the game.
As 2013 champion Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson went toe-to-toe on the Sunday, it was Swede, Stenson, who claimed the Claret Jug.
Leading Mickelson by one stroke into the final 18 holes, earlier in the week, ‘Lefty’ had hit a new course record of 63 to begin his tournament.
The Californian played some his best stuff to card a 65 finish, but it was not enough to stop a rampant Stenson.
Equalling Mickelson’s round of Thursday, the Swede won his first and only major to date by three shots.
The two will reunite this week at Troon, but could it be Aberg who follows in the footsteps of his compatriot?
Buoyant Brits
The 2024 Open genuinely looks to have the strongest British field for some time and end a decade wait for a another homefield winner.
Though the returning all-conquering Scottie Scheffler once again is the bookies’ favourite – having opted out of a trip to North Berwick – Rory McIlroy continues his desperate quest for major number five.
Still burning from Pinehurst, the Northern Irishman was once again in good shape for a tournament weekend in North Berwick, but the birdies did not come and too many bogeys did.
One final chance to stop the major drought entering an 11th year, can McIlroy finally overcome his demons?
However, arguably the form horse at Troon this week and one we backed at Pinehurst, is Oban’s own Robert MacIntyre.
Winning his home Open in thrilling fashion this past weekend, the Scot has won two PGA Tour events this term – on his debut season in North America no less.
Claiming two national Opens already in 2024, a third and most illustrious one might not be far away this week.
MacIntyre, here in his sixth Open berth, has finished outside the top 30 in the last two years, but has two top 10s in the past, with a best finish of sixth at Royal Portrush in 2019.
Of the Britons who could feature, many fancy Justin Rose to go well in what could be tough conditions after so many close calls in his home Open, whilst Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton on their day, can be there at the business end.
Scott could challenge
Of the chasing pack that could figure over the weekend, Adam Scott has unfinished business with the Open and in the midst of a form high, looks an interesting punt.
The 43-year-old Australian, still on the PGA Tour has not won a tournament since the Genesis Invitational in 2020 but is enjoying a strong season.
Pipped by MacIntyre at Renaissance this past weekend, Scott also finished T8 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open back in February.
Winner of the Green Jacket in 2013 at Augusta, the Adelaide native has a storied past with this tournament, not least the year before at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
Leading by four with as many to play down the stretch, Scott bogeyed all his remaining holes, as Ernie Els stole the Claret Jug for a second time.
Overall, the Open has been the Australian’s best major, with five top 10 finishes.
With decent showings in the Masters and the US Open this term, Scott might be worth a pop at 50/1 for 10 places with Betfred.
The 152nd Open Championship begins at Royal Troon on Thursday.
