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New Zealander Ryan Fox is another links specialist who could make a big impression this week after landing PGA Tour triumphs at the Myrtle Beach Classic and the Canadian Open this year.

Like Hatton, Fox is a former winner of the Dunhill Links Championship and was also runner-up in the Irish Open at Ballyliffin.

His best Open finish came when he was 16th at Royal Portrush and it would not be a huge surprise if he made another big impression this week.

A return to Royal Portrush will bring great memories flooding back for Shane Lowry after he claimed his first Major at the venue with a six-shot victory in 2019.

The amiable Irishman has missed the cut at both the US PGA and the US Open, but he may have benefited from sidestepping last week’s Scottish Open.

He has been the nearlyman on the PGA Tour this year, consistently bagging top-20 finishes while finishing runner-up at both the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Truist Championship, and he should gain further motivation from the fact he would have given Xander Schauffele a much closer challenge had he not carded a third-round 77 at Troon last year.

The test at Royal Portrush will differ greatly from many of the courses that greet LIV Tour players on the breakaway circuit, but Tyrrell Hatton is one who should relish this week’s examination and has a great chance of winning his first Major.

Hatton has the benefit of having won the Dunhill Links Championship on three occasions and he has some decent Open results too, having finished fifth in 2016 and then sixth at this week’s venue six years ago.

The High Wycombe swinger missed the cut at Troon last year but was fourth at the US Open on the tough Oakmont layout, and the fact that this week’s course will not suit those who like to bomb it off the tee should play to his strengths.

If he can keep a lid on his emotions, he looks a strong candidate to be lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday.

Those looking for an Open interest at a three-figure price are pointed towards Rickie Fowler, who has had a tough few years but has been showing signs of life.

Fowler ended a four-and-a-half year wait for a PGA Tour win when he claimed the Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2023 and he has been solid for most of this year, missing just two of 15 cuts and booking his Portrush place with a seventh spot in the Memorial Tournament.

Unlike some of his fellow Americans, he relishes a links test having finished second when Rory McIlroy won at Royal Liverpool in 2014, and he should take confidence that he was fifth the last time the Claret Jug was fought out at this County Antrim venue.

Justin Thomas has struggled in his last two Masters starts – no surprise given the downturn in his form generally – but he ended 2024 by finishing second and third in his last two events. He’s well suited to Augusta, where his approach play and scrambling ability are huge assets.

Rory McIlroy’s first PGA Tour title came at the Charlotte venue in 2010 and he’s gone on to win the Wells Fargo Championship at the course on a further three occasions. He is comfortable at Quail Hollow and looks an obvious title threat if he can hold it together mentally.

A runner-up in 2022 and third in 2023, the exacting test which the US Open usually provides should prove to be ideal for such a marvellous ball-striker as Scottie Scheffler.

Tommy Fleetwood is one of the best exponents of links golf in the world, finishing in the top 12 in four of the last six Opens. Expect him to make another bold run at the Claret Jug come July.