GOLF DFS: THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2026 — DRAFTKINGS PICKS, TARGETS & FADES

COURSE OVERVIEW

Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links returns to host The Open Championship in 2026, and it demands a very specific skill set from competitors. Stretching across the rugged Antrim coastline in Northern Ireland, this links masterpiece rewards ball-strikers who can flight the ball low, manage the wind with precision, and scramble effectively when the inevitable gale rolls in off the North Atlantic. Accuracy off the tee is paramount — the deep rough and hidden bunkers punish errant drives ruthlessly. Approach play into firm, fast greens favors players comfortable hitting bump-and-run shots rather than high-spinning wedges. Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green are the two metrics that historically separate contenders from pretenders at Royal Portrush. Expect scoring to be volatile across all four rounds, meaning your DraftKings lineup needs resilience and proven links pedigree.

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TOP TARGETS THIS WEEK

Rory McIlroy — $12,200

There is no more obvious home-game advantage in all of professional golf. McIlroy grew up playing Royal Portrush, has elite wind management, and is one of the longest and most accurate drivers in the world — a lethal combination here. He enters with strong recent form and his motivation at The Open is unmatched. Ownership will be high, but tournament equity demands exposure. *Ownership Projection: HIGH*

Tommy Fleetwood — $9,800

Fleetwood is a perennial links specialist whose ball-striking and wind-play rank among the best on Tour. He has multiple top-10 finishes in links events and has quietly been playing some of his best golf heading into July. At a palatable salary, he offers strong upside with moderate chalk. *Ownership Projection: MID*

Shane Lowry — $9,400

The 2019 Open Champion knows how to win on links turf, and Royal Portrush specifically suits his grinding, patient style. He's a reliable bogey-avoider in blustery conditions and his short game on firm surfaces is underrated. At this price, Lowry provides excellent value and a proven ceiling. *Ownership Projection: MID*

Nicolai Højgaard — $8,600

The Danish star has blossomed into one of Europe's most consistent performers in major conditions. His low ball flight and creative shot-making give him a significant edge on links courses. He remains under the radar in DFS circles despite legitimate top-10 potential. *Ownership Projection: LOW*

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VALUE PLAYS

Daniel Hillier — $7,400

The New Zealander has been steadily improving on the DP World Tour and posted strong results on links-style courses in 2025. His trajectory is upward, his price is soft, and low ownership makes him an ideal GPP differentiator.

Thriston Lawrence — $7,100

Lawrence's iron play and course management have impressed throughout the 2026 season. He tends to find fairways consistently and keeps bogeys manageable — exactly what survives a links major. Strong tournament upside at minimum-exposure pricing.

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FADES

Scottie Scheffler — $12,500

Scheffler's dominance on manicured parkland courses doesn't translate cleanly to links golf. His high-spin approach game struggles on firm, fast surfaces, and he has no meaningful links major pedigree. Maximum chalk, minimum fit — a dangerous DFS combination.

Xander Schauffele — $10,900

Coming off a demanding schedule, Schauffele has historically underperformed in links conditions. His aggressive, high-trajectory ball flight is punishable at Royal Portrush, and his pricing leaves little margin for a mid-cut finish.

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LINEUP CONSTRUCTION

Build your core around one premium links specialist — McIlroy is almost unavoidable — then stack mid-tier Europeans with proven wind-play ability. Target two low-ownership plays in the $7,000-$8,000 range to differentiate in GPPs. Prioritize SG: Off-the-Tee leaders and avoid high-spin, high-trajectory players regardless of