The Open at Royal Troon: Historic Venue and Amazing Golf
There is nothing like the Open Championship. The Masters is iconic, but the Open brings so much more than great golf to the world stage. This year is no different as the Open will take place this week from the historic venue, Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland.
THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2024
It is that wonderful time of year, the 152nd Open Championship will take place from Royal Troon in Scotland this weekend July 18th-21st. This marks the 10th time the historic golf club has hosted The Open, and it’s first since 2016. Although we will have some amazing golf to watch, its also about the sights and sounds of Royal Troon.
Established in 1878, Royal Troon Golf Club is famous for a multiple of reasons. First, there has been some of the most memorable shots in golf history played there. Second, Royal Troon is unlike any other course as there is a home smack dab in the middle of the course. Yes, you heard me right, known as the “BlackRock House, this house sits in the middle of the course right along the water. Let’s get into some of the home’s history.
THE BLACKROCK HOUSE: ROYAL TROON
The past few weeks leading up the The Open, I have found myself diving into the history of maybe the coolest summer home of all time. The Blackrock house sits in-between the 2nd and 16th greens right in the middle of the course. The history of the house is somewhat unclear, it was built in the 1920’s and most believe it was built to house shore workers.
The House is split into two family residents, one side of it is occupied year round while the other side was bought 7 years ago by a man named Paul Gregory, who uses it as a summer home. He has done some reservations but has tried to keep the original charm of the property. Below is a video that shows the house and some of it’s history. One of the most interesting thing to note, Royal Troon Golf Club has apparently never tried to buy the house. Which is strange since it sits on their property.
NOW FOR THE GOLF: PREDICTIONS AND MORE
I have had a lot of people ask me who I am picking to take home the Claret Jug, since I picked the winner correctly for the U.S. Open last month. This is a tough one, the course is so different from anything the PGA players play all year, which makes you think the winner will come from a European Country. But, If Brian Harman showed us anything last year, if your putter is working, you can walk away with it.
Who will win? Obviously, Scottie Scheffler is favorite to take home the title and his second major of the year. I am not sold on Scottie for this one, his iron play hasn’t been great as of late and you need to hit fairways at Royal Troon.
Rory is second when it comes to odds, but again I do not trust him to get the job done right now. I love Ludvig Aberg, but a few Sunday meltdowns has me convinced he is not ready for this big stage just yet. So, my pick to win the 2024 Open is…Collin Morikawa. Collin played very well at the Scottish Open this past weekend and seems to be locking in at the right time.
TOP TEN WITH THE ODDS MAKERS
Scottie Scheffler 15-4
Rory McIlroy 8-1
Xander Schauffele 10-1
Bryson DeChambeau 12-1
Ludvig Aberg 12-1
Jon Rahm 15-1
Viktor Hovland 15-1
Brooks Koepka 18-1
Collin Morikawa 18-1
Patrick Cantlay 20-1
Reguadless of who wins, just know we will get some amazing golf and some amazing sights from the birthplace of golf. Check out all the action beginning on Thursday. And don’t forget to stay up to date on everything happening in the world of golf with “The Ball Washer Podcast”
