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The key stat referred to in every broadcast is that the last 7 majors have been won by virgin winners. So on this basis my two picks are Jon Rahm amd Tommy Fleetwood. Paul Casey looks a reliable e/w bet and I followed the advice of Jeremy Chapman and many analysts with a tickle on Sergio Garcia. Bad weather is predicted which makes starting times crucial and betting a lottery.
To get way from the coverage of the woman’s World Cup in football on Radio 5 I tuned into Talksport that had an excellent couple of hours review headed by an informed Mark Saggers, who must be the only sports presenter to know Henrik Stensen prefers a 3 wood to a driver and the greater accuracy that club confers, with back up from Bob Bubka and Rupert Bell.
They covered the competitors in detail and again Sergio appeared as a favourite. Jon Rahm has already coasted the Irish Open whilst Tommy Fleetwood is in form and coming from Southport knows the Royal Birkdale course.
From Talksport I learned such nuggets as Frank Sinatra walked the course with Ben Hogan on his final round in 1953. The programme also praised Arnold Palmer.
It’s sometimes forgotten that in the 50s when Peter Thomson and Kel Nagel won the Claret Jug there was little enthusiasm across the pond for British links golf but Arnold Palmer’s wins early sixties kindled an interest Stateside that has since burgeoned.
With my e/w tickle Fabio Aru dropping out of the top three in the Tour de France yesterday I need a win from Jon Rahm to get new garden furniture from IKEA.
