Scottie Scheffler’s continued supremacy in golf was showcased with his win at The Open Championship held at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland on Sunday. While many anticipated his victory, it surprised Mike Francesa, who had expressed skepticism about Scheffler’s prospects in the tournament.
In a recent episode of The Mike Francesa Podcast, Francesa shared his thoughts on The Open Championship, voicing doubts regarding Scheffler’s success on a links-style course.
“In golf, there’s significant value in betting on a tournament winner,” Francesa stated. “Picking a winner isn’t straightforward. Scottie Scheffler is favored, but I don’t think he’s going to excel on a links course. He hasn’t played on them much, achieving his best finish of eighth. He can win any tournament, but I’m not confident about this major.”
Francesa pointed to Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood as contenders he believed could perform well during the tournament. “Rahm is 12-1 and has a strong chance to excel. Although I haven’t backed him much lately, I feel this could be his week,” he explained.
He also mentioned Fleetwood, who, despite not having won a tournament in the U.S. or a major, has succeeded elsewhere. “Fleetwood has been in the mix many times. At 25-1, I sense he could have a significant weekend.”
It should be noted that all the players Francesa favored were non-American, which seemed deliberate, as he offered little hope for American players claiming the title. “The foreign players tend to perform better over there,” he concluded.
Ultimately, Francesa’s predictions proved largely incorrect, as Scheffler convincingly won the championship by four strokes, marking a significant achievement in his career. Both Rahm and Fleetwood finished well behind the leaders, failing to contend. Francesa faced criticism for underestimating Scheffler, with social media account “Funhouse” mocking his incorrect picks.
