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Welcome to the Open Championship week at Royal Troon.
It is the fourth and final major of the 2024 men’s golf season, and if the first three told us anything — this week should provide some incredible play.
From Scottie Scheffler’s second Green Jacket win, Xander Schauffele ending his major drought and Bryson DeChambeau winning his second U.S. Open, who knows what this last major has in store.
It is Monday, so let’s briefly discuss the week and the field. As the week progresses, we will delve deeper into the event and its history.
Brew a pot of coffee, grab some breakfast, and settle in as we get you ready for the oldest major championship week.
This year’s Open Championship course
Royal Troon is on deck for the 152nd Open Championship. This coastal course will surely give the best players in the world a true links-golf challenge.
![The Open Championship, Jordan Spieth](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P-r-EjH4uLvluzBwDZgjBrL7D-g=/0x0:5932x3955/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:5932x3955):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25531542/2162004364.jpg)
Photo by Stuart Kerr/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
Founded in 1878, the track began as a 6-hole course and expanded into 18 holes in 1888.
This year marks the 10th time in Open Championship history that it will host.
The last time it hosted the Open was in 2016 when Henrik Stenson out-dueled Phil Mickelson to become the winner. Players could see more carnage as this track is sure to give them a proper test.
A brief look into the 2024 Open Championship field
Every Champions Golfer of the Year since 2004 will play in this year’s event, including 3-time winner Tiger Woods. That is 19 former winners and the most to tee it up since 2015.
Stenson is back where he won it all, and so is Todd Hamilton, who won at this venue 20 years ago.
Two-time Claret Jug winners Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington will test their games against this talented field.
Of those 19 players, 16 of them have the lone Open titles.
Defending champion Brian Harman aims to become the first repeat title holder since Harrington won it in 2007 and 2008.
Scottie Scheffler eyes his third major and adds the Claret Jug to his collection. Rory McIlroy is coming off a T4 at the Scottish Open. He looks to redeem himself after his disastrous finish at Pinehurst No. 2.
Bryson Dechambeau, the reigning U.S. Open winner, will look to win back-to-back major championships.
The field has 49 golfers among the Top 50 in the World Golf Rankings.
Thirty-seven players are making their debut at The Open, including world No.4 Ludvig Åberg. Another notable name making their debuts this week is Davis Thompson, who destroyed the field at the John Deere Classic.
Akshay Bhatia, Eric Cole, Austin Eckroat, Gordan Sargent and David Puig make up more notable rookies in the field.
This week, some of the best golfers in the world are aiming to win the oldest major. Who can come out on top?
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Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.