Since the dawn of long-distance travel, Americans have dominated professional golf.
For context, as of the 2023 edition of the US Open, 86 winners from this major have been Americans. Next best country? Scotland with 14.
The same rule applies at The Masters and the PGA Championship—previously, Americans have won 63 out of 87 tournaments at the Augusta National.
But the Open Championship? This is another matter entirely…
Links effect
Once the action shifts to the classic Links courses in Britain and Ireland, the numbers change significantly.
This explains why non-Americans are preferred in Latest Open Championship 2023 betting oddswith Rory McIlroy, the 8/1 favourite, ahead of world number one Scotty Scheffler and the likes of John Rahm (9/1), Victor Hovland (1/14) and Cameron Smith (1/18) also well-liked by the market.
That’s because America has a record 45 wins at the Open Championship, but has been bested – overall – by Great Britain and Ireland (76 wins), while Australia and South Africa have served ten champions along the way as well. Only five of the last 15 editions have also been won by an American.
but why? Well, maybe it has to do with the unique conditions on golf courses in the UK and Ireland Links. Although the PGA Tour occasionally stops by windswept coastal paths, their tournaments are mostly played on lush park courses with plenty of trees for protection – the same can’t be said when Winds gusted 40 mph in St Andrews.
A unique skill set is required to beat the Links golf courses. Low ball flight is mandatory – people unable to hit the sting off the tee are more vulnerable to the wind, while scrambling skills and short play are also a prerequisite.
Links golf courses tend to play hard and fast – although the weather isn’t always that great in the British Isles, it’s surprising how quickly these sand-based coastal surfaces can dry out. And so having a different repertoire of shots is vital, as is bumping, running and even the legendary “Texas Wedge” for self-extrication from the sticky short sides and equal up-and-down saving design.
Take a look at the golf courses in Links. It is not a dense, dense grass – instead it tends to be a tangled weed that sticks to the club and almost takes away from the player’s ability to get the ball out. Local knowledge is a huge advantage.
overturn the odds
the The PGA Tour collects statistics and data It can range from incredibly insightful to downright bizarre across dozens of tournaments each year.
Two of these provide a look at Americans that might be well suited to talk about Links Golf: crest height and hang time, both of which refer to players who have the highest and lowest travels of the ball.
The higher the order, i.e. first and second, the higher they hit the ball – thus those who go down in the lower order are the players who are comfortable hitting putts and tee shots with a flat trajectory.
Max Homa and Xander Schauffele are two of the ‘bad’ ranks for summit height and hold time, and their success comes as no surprise. Homma has won twice at the Arizona State Refresh, while Schauvelli finished second at the 2018 Open Championship and won the Scottish Open.
Another American with a low-ball volley? Scotty Scheffler, who seems to play well in any conditions anyway. Can he – or Chavell or Huma – add another American victory to this summer’s famous Claret Jug?