The 147th Open

As the summer months continue to seemingly fly by, the third major of the year is nearly upon us.  The best golfers in the world will convene in Scotland for the 147th playing of The Open.  Last year, Jordan Spieth won the 146th Open at Royal Birkdale in an amazing final-round duel against Matt Kuchar.

The sun sets once again over @carnoustiegolf 🌓

In one weeks time the best golfers on earth will be here to compete to become Champion Golfer of the Year #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/1fmc207C5u

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 8, 2018

The Course 

This year, Carnoustie Golf Links in Carnoustie, Scotland will host The Open for the 7th time.  Previous champions at Carnoustie include Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Pádraig Harrington.  And of course, anytime The Open is contested at Carnoustie, you can expect a heavy dose of the 1999 event where Jean Van de Velde suffered arguably the worst final-hole collapse to lose the Claret Jug to Paul Lawrie.

Carnoustie will play to a par of 71 for the The Open.  The Royal & Ancient will stretch it out to just over 7,400 yards.  The signature hole is the 18th hole, again made famous by Jean Van de Velde and his historic meltdown at The Open in 1999.  Players will have to naviagate The Barry Burn (a burn is a small river) that cuts through the 18th hole at 3 separate points (though the first is not in play for the competitors this week).  The closing hole will play just under 500 yards as a Par 4.

TV Broadcast 

For those of you watching in the United States, The Open will be broadcast on Golf Channel & NBC.

First Round:
- Golf Channel: 1:30AM to 4:00PM EST

Second Round:
- Golf Channel: 1:30AM to 4:00PM EST

Third Round:
- Golf Channel: 4:30AM to 7:00AM EST
- NBC: 7:00AM- 3:00PM EST

Final Round:
- Golf Channel: 4:30AM to 7:00AM EST
- NBC: 7:00AM- 2:30PM EST

The Odds, The Favorites, Our Predicted Winner 

A look at the bookmakers favorites elicits some familiar names but also some head scratchers.  Dustin Johnson looks as though he will open the 147th Open as the betting favorite - currently 12/1.  But other players raise eyebrows like Jordan Spieth at 20/1 and McIlroy at 15/1.  While Rory won this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, neither has looked particularly sharp of late.

So who is going to walk away with the 147th Open Championship? He's been close in majors including this year's Masters and has a solid background playing in links styled golf courses.  He also recently got engaged.