GOLF DFS: THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL ROUND DRAFTKINGS PICKS AND LINEUP ADVICE

COURSE OVERVIEW

The 2026 Open Championship is being contested at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, a links masterpiece that demands patience, creativity, and elite ball-striking in unpredictable conditions. Dunluce Links stretches to over 7,300 yards and features relentless wind off the Atlantic, firm and fast fairways, and deep pot bunkers that punish even the slightest miss. Unlike parkland courses where power rules, Royal Portrush rewards those who can shape shots low into the wind, manage their misses intelligently, and excel at bump-and-run approaches around the greens. Strokes Gained: Approach and Strokes Gained: Around the Green are the metrics to prioritize this week, while big hitters who cannot control trajectory will find themselves in serious trouble. Sunday's final round brings added pressure, and players with proven links pedigree and strong course history will hold a meaningful edge in DFS lineups.

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TOP TARGETS THIS WEEK

Rory McIlroy — $12,200

It would be nearly impossible to build a final-round Open Championship lineup at Royal Portrush without at least considering Rory. Playing in front of a home crowd that will be electric on Sunday, McIlroy has the links DNA built into his swing and carries the emotional fuel of chasing a major on his home soil. His ball-striking has been elite through the first three rounds, and if he is within striking distance of the lead, the crowd will carry him home. *Ownership: High*

Shane Lowry — $10,800

The 2019 Open Champion knows exactly what it takes to close a links major. Lowry's low, penetrating ball flight is tailor-made for Royal Portrush's wind-swept layout, and his around-the-green wizardry continues to be among the best on tour. He enters Sunday with momentum and a game that fits this venue perfectly. *Ownership: Mid*

Tommy Fleetwood — $9,600

Fleetwood is one of the most underrated links players in the world and consistently shows up in major contention at Open venues. His controlled iron play and calm temperament make him a dangerous Sunday pick. At this salary, he offers legitimate upside without breaking the bank. *Ownership: Mid*

Tom McKibbin — $8,400

The young Northern Irish star will have the Portrush crowd roaring for him all day. McKibbin's game has matured rapidly, and home-course familiarity gives him a significant edge over international competitors who are still learning the subtle breaks and bounces of these fairways. *Ownership: Low-Mid*

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VALUE PLAYS

Thriston Lawrence — $7,600

Lawrence is one of the most underowned quality ball-strikers in the field. He ranks inside the top 20 in Strokes Gained: Approach this week and provides strong ceiling for his price point.

Dan Bradbury — $7,100

The Englishman has quietly put together a quality tournament and offers legitimate birdie upside on a Sunday when the leaderboard could see significant movement. At this salary, the risk-reward is extremely favorable.

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FADES

Scottie Scheffler — $12,500

Despite being the world's best player, Scheffler's flat-trajectory driving and parkland-optimized game have shown cracks on traditional links terrain. At maximum salary and projected to be heavily owned, the value simply is not there on Sunday.

Bryson DeChambeau — $11,400

Bryson's bomb-and-gouge approach is a square peg in a round hole at Royal Portrush. High ownership expectations with minimal links upside make him a strong fade candidate.

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LINEUP CONSTRUCTION

Sunday single-round slates require a high-ceiling, tournament-winning approach. Stack two to three golfers who are within five shots of the lead and pair them with one low-owned value play who has the game to make a Sunday run. Do not overload on chalk — differentiate with McKibbin or Lawrence to gain leverage on the field.

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*Lock in your Sunday lineups with confidence. Visit Scout Intel for updated projections, ownership data, and expert analysis before lock.*

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