British Open picks to win: Our staff’s picks for Royal Portrush

Rory McIlroy is the betting favorite to win the British Open with 8/1 odds, but Brooks Koepka (10/1), Dustin Johnson (12/1) and Tiger Woods (16/1) are lurking. Who comes out on top and lifts the claret jug come Sunday evening at Royal Portrush? Our staff chimes in.

British Open picks to win

Jonathan Wall, equipment editor (@jonathanrwall): Xander Schauffele. Xander has a thing for the majors. He was runner-up at 2018 Open Championship and has finished T6 or better in four of the last six majors. I could see him taking down the field at Portrush.

Josh Sens, contributor (@JoshSens): Gimme Adam Scott. His winless season so far belies how well he’s played, having put himself into the mix in all the majors, not to mention a couple of runner-ups in other events. The man is back in form, and back to an event where he’s got a long, strong history.

Sean Zak, associate editor (@sean_zak): Give me the man playing for Grandma. KUCH! Our Controversial Man of 2019, Matt Kuchar, gets revenge from Birkdale.

Jeff Ritter, digital development editor (@Jeff_Ritter): This first-time (in a long time) major venue feels like a spot for a first-time major winner. I’ll take Jon Rahm. At some point he’s going to control his emotions on a major weekend, and he just shot 62 to win the Irish Open — he’s gotta be in a good mood at the moment.

MORE: British Open sleepers to watch

Pat Ralph, associate editor (@Pat_Ralph): Brooks Koepka. This guy is the best golfer in the world and he shows it every time he suits up in a major. He plays his best when the lights shine brightest, and he’s one of the few golfers in the field with some insight on Royal Portrush, thanks to his caddie, Ricky Elliott. A claret jug for Brooks!

Josh Berhow, senior editor (@Josh_Berhow): Rory McIlroy winning at Royal Portrush, where he set the course record when he was 16 and where he’s played countless rounds since he was a kid, seems like a cop-out answer. But that’s just cause it makes so much sense. A Rory win would send Northern Ireland into a frenzy. He’s my pick.

Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): Louis Oosthuzien is too talented to win only one major, and he showed at Pebble Beach — where he lead the field in birdies — that his game is rounding into form. Your 2010 Champion Golfer of the Year will also be your 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year.