Who has the right MIND to win the 144th Open Championship?
So, who will win the 144th Open Championship? Ordinarily, on a Sunday evening, the Champion would have been crowned and, many photographs later, no doubt be in the bar, celebrating their win… but not this year! Due to a rain delay, followed by a severe wind delay which wrote off most of the third day, the 2015 Championship will be decided, for only the second time, on a Monday.
It’s interesting (and pleasing) to note, going into the final round there is a three way tie for the lead, with one of those, Paul Dunne, an amateur. I’m sure his eye will be on the trophy, though any cash prize will go to the second placed person, should he win! The top three only lead by a single shot, with Current Masters and US Open Champion, Jordan Spieth in 4th place, two-times Open Champion Padraig Harrington in 5th place and a further 9 players, tied in 6th place, just three shots off the lead. When you consider that Paul Lawrie, in 1999 won The Open from 10 strokes behind on the final day, you could be looking at 70 players having a chance.
What will make the difference?
Without any doubt, these guys can play! Technically, they are magicians with the ball, seemingly able to control the ball, hit high balls, low balls, balls that move left to right, right to left, depending on the shape of the hole and position of the flag… so will it come down to just getting lucky on the day? Well, we all need a little luck, but as I’ve said many times previously, you tend to put yourself in position to make your own luck in this world.
Once you can play golf, as with many sports, it is mental strength that often defines your success. The player that truly believes he can win, is focussed on the win and can actually visualise himself lifting the Claret Jug will be the person that wins. There will be some that start to doubt themselves, not committing fully to the shot, not trusting their own ability… they will be the runners up.
Jason Day, Joint 3rd Round Leader
Louis Oosthuizen, joint 3rd Round Leader
Paul Dunne (A), joint 3rd Round Leader
So who would you put money on? Paul Dunne, the Amateur from Ireland played a blistering third round and has only good memories… a surprise contender, he looks calm and confident in his ability. Louis Oosthuizen, an Open winner in 2010, again, knows how to get past the finish line but when he won five years ago, he had a reasonable lead going into the final round. Jason Day, the Australian, is surely due a major win, having been runner up in several previous Majors, although that could work against him, if he believes he will only be a runner up.
Jordan Spieth just HAS to be a favourite, going for the Grand Slam of Majors and only a fool would bet against him. His mental strength to cope with the pressure has been proven in both of this years earlier competitions. As an outsider, Padraig Harrington knows how to win, yet having been out of the limelight for a good few years, perhaps a third Claret Jug is a bridge too far?
Jordan Spieth, Great mental strength has captured him The Masters 2015 and the US Open 2015.
Dustin Johnson, leader of the first and second round saw himself fall to five shots off the lead, with three bogey’s over the final three holes of the third round. Dustin has been very close in a number of Major’s, yet, has made sloppy mistakes and seems fragile and unable to finish off the job, a true sign that he doesn’t have the mental strength. I believe he deserves a Championship and will achieve it one day, but I doubt 2015 is his year.
Dustin Johnson, a fantastic player with the ability to boom drives down the fairway.. but maybe lacking in mental strength for him to finish the job?
With technical ability not in question, who do I expect to win?
Jordan Spieth would be my tip, with a close second, Louis Oosthuizen and Paul Dunne. Watch out for Justin Rose, as an outside bet though.. a technically gifted player and one that has proven mental strength. One thing I am sure…. this Open Championship will go to a play-off!
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