Golf's third major of the year is upon us, so let's take a look at some of the recent trends and numbers to help determine a winner. Those who follow me on Twitter or listened to my appearances on VSiN, know Brooks Koepka was one of my top picks entering the U.S. Open and Tommy Fleetwood was identified as a live price play. Hopefully we can have similar success this week in The Open Championship.
Where the U.S. Open has been skewed towards the "Twenty-Somethings," The Open has seen quite a run of older players hoist the Claret Jug in recent years. Eight of the last 10 Open champions were 35 or older and five of the last six were 39 or older. It's the first time any major has seen a run of five champions 39 or older in a six-year stretch. So don't be afraid to take a more seasoned player at Birkdale.
And don't be afraid to take a player who has not won a major. Seven straight majors have been captured by a player who had not previously won a major. The last major won by a player who had previously won a major was Zach Johnson at St Andrews in 2015.