Open Championship - Preview: Player Picks at Royal Troon

Set upon the rugged coastline of the West of Scotland, the historic links of Royal Troon is one of golf’s most challenging venues. Deep rough mixed with gorse and broom combined with an unforgiving prevailing north-westerly wind make the Old Course a true test of golfing skill and ability. The Open Championship returns to the Old Course for a ninth time in 2016. While minor adjustments have been made to every hole in preparation for the Championship, more significant changes have been made on holes 9, 10 and 15, largely to restore some of their previous characteristics and features. Can defending championship Zach Johnson repeat to capture a second Claret Jug? The pundents suggest this is highly unlikely given the surge during the past year of Jason Day (Australia), Jordan Spieth (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Rory McIlroy (N. Ireland) and Masters champion Danny Willet (UK). One of the great links courses in Scotland, Royal Troon has hosted THE OPEN on eight occasions since 1923. The Old Course has a rich history of producing memorable moments from Arthur Havers’ winning performance in 1923, in which he holed from a bunker on the 18th green to lift the Claret Jug, to 71-year-old Gene Sarazen’s hole in one on the famous Postage Stamp 8th hole in 1973 on the 50th anniversary of his own victory at The OPEN. The OPEN at Royal Troon is regarded as one of the most difficult challenges in championship golf and 2016 promises to deliver another worthy Champion Golfer of the Year. This year the course will measure 7190 yards and play as a par 71.So which golfer has the edge going into this week's championship? Share your picks' with the Pro Golf Tour.