Brooks Koepka became the seventh consecutive first-time winner of a Major Championship at last week’s US Open, as the big-hitting American prevailed by four shots in an impressive performance on the final day in Wisconsin. With the Open Championship around the corner at Royal Birkdale, here is a look at the players who are likely to be challenging for the Claret Jug in Southport, and in turn, could lift their own maiden championship.
Rickie Fowler
Things were looking good for Fowler in the US Open last week, when he carded an opening round of 65 (-7) on day one of the tournament, when many of the world’s best players, including Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day, had struggled. Sadly for the former number-one-ranked amateur in the world, he was unable to follow up his success on the opening day, and had to settle for yet another top-five finish.
Fowler has won seven events across the globe, including four tournaments on the PGA Tour. In 2014, he finished in the top five of all four Major Championships, so has been knocking on the door for some time now.
The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale could be Fowler’s best chance this year. He plays links golf very well, as he has made the cut in six of his seven appearances in the tournament.He has also been driving the ball very well, as if his putter remains hot next month, he should be in contention going into the weekend.
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Jon Rahm
After an incredible year on the PGA Tour so far, Spaniard Rahm is now inside the top 20 in the world rankings, and looks to be a player who is improving with each month. He won his maiden PGA Tour title back in January in the Farmers Insurance Open, where he came out on top by three strokes – with a round of 65 coming on the final day to seal the title in California.
Rahm played in his first ever Major in the 2016 US Open, where he finished in a tie for 23rd as an amateur. The 22 year old soon became a professional not long after his run at Oakmont Country Club, and he will not be regretting that decision, as he has continued to pick up ranking points and prize money.
One of the biggest strengths Rahm appears to have at such a young age is his ability to handle pressure. The man from Barrika is not afraid to take a risk, and will always play positively, while he can drive the ball as far as any of the top players on the tour.
The US PGA Championship is at Quail Hollow this year, which is 7,442 yards long and should suit Rahm’s game. The Wells Fargo Championship has been held at the course since 2011, and the likes of Rory McIlroy and J.B Holmes have been successful, which suggests that big hitters will be rewarded in North Carolina.
Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry held the 54-hole lead in the 2016 US Open in Oakmont, but a 76 in the final round meant the Irishman had to settle for second place. Lowry . Lowry was tipped by Oddschecker to win the trophy at Erin Hills, but despite another strong performance, he ended the week in a tie for 46th.
The biggest win of the Irishman’s career came in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2015. Since then, he has remained on the European Tour and has been very consistent to ensure he gains an automatic entry into the four Majors.
The 30 year old has the quality and experience to see out of a Major win if he is in contention on the final day again. He will be keen to add one of the biggest prizes in the sport before the 2018 Ryder Cup, where he will be bidding to qualify for the European team for the first time in his career.
Lowry has played links golf well in the past, as he showed when winning the 2009 Irish Open, so he will fancy his chances of landing the Claret jug at Royal Birkdale next month.
Justin Thomas
No player has won more PGA Tour events so far this season than Justin Thomas. The young American has recorded three victories to his name; only world number one Dustin Johnson has been able to match that number.
Thomas started the campaign with a successful defence in the CIMB Classic. He then began 2017 with back-to-back victories in the SBS Tournament of Champions and the Sony Open in Hawaii.
He produced a career-best finish in a Major Championship in the US Open, where he ended the weekend in a tie for ninth. The Kentucky-born player shot a round of 63, which matched the record for the lowest score in a single round in the tournament. On the par-five 18th hole in his third round, he used a 3-wood to get within eight feet for an eagle, which he successfully putted for the record.
The world no.12 now goes into the Majors as one of the leading players, and if he continues to carry on the kind of dominant form he has shown in the 2016/17 campaign, it won’t be long before he breaks his duck.
Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama became the first Asian golfer to win a World Golf Championship event last October when he landed the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai. The Japanese player was dominant in the event, winning by a margin of seven strokes ahead of Daniel Berger and Henrik Stenson.
Matsuyama picked up his fourth PGA Tour victory in the Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier this year following a playoff with Webb Simpson. His form meant many pundits in the game were tipping him for success in the US Masters and the US Open, where he finished 11th and second, respectively. He was able to shoot a round of 65 on day two at Erin Hills, which was only bettered by Thomas’ 63.
Despite his impressive number of 14 tournament wins around the world, Matsuyama is only 25. He will be looking to follow in the footsteps of 2009 PGA Championship winner Yang Yong-eun, the only Asian player in the history of the sport to have won a Major.
The next chance for these five players to win their first Major comes on July 20 in the Open Championship, while the US PGA Championship takes place on August 10.