We've picked three players to look out for at The Open Championship and who may just be lifting that Claret Jug on Sunday afternoon.

The countdown is on to The Open Championship 2024! And as we gear up for the men's last Major, there's one burning question on everyone's mind: Who will emerge victorious in 2024?

Here are my top picks and players to watch this year. Could one of them claim the coveted Claret Jug at Royal Troon?

Rory McIlroy

Please forgive me for mentioning Rory McIlroy at every Open Championship ... we're sure that there must be one year when we'll get it right! Unlike some of his American counterparts – like Koepka, DeChambeau or Scheffler – who you can be confident to back at the other Majors, The Open Championship is not as easy. But in McIlroy you have a player that is more than able to contend on an Open course stage.

The Northern Irishman comes into Royal Troon after a respectable fourth-place finish in his title defence of the Genesis Scottish Open on Sunday.

Unlike a lot of the top players in the field, McIlroy can build on previous experience, when he finished tied fifth in 2016. Plus he hasn't finished outside the top 10 since 2014. Here's how he is preparing:

"Refamiliarising myself with the golf course. I played it eight years ago and remember it pretty well. I think just getting a good strategy on what I'm going to do off the tees, and then it's in and around the greens. It's the shots that you need around the greens. You know, the bunkers at Troon are very penal. Trying to employ a strategy where you can navigate your way around them, and then as I said, my ball-striking is there.

"So if I can get the putter to cooperate and get the speed of the greens down, more so than hitting my lines, I feel like I'm hitting my lines but more so getting the speed of the greens, I feel like I'll be in a really good spot."

Adam Scott

My second choice of Adam Scott may seem a little left field, but the 43-year-old has been gaining in confidence over recent months and comes into Royal Troon after narrowly missing out on victory at the Genesis Scottish Open after Bob MacIntyre holed a final hole birdie for victory.

The Australian is now ranked 35th in the world, one spot above Jordan Spieth and although his recent Open form hasn't been that great, like McIlroy, he has played Royal Troon before and can build on a tied 18th performance.

I was also buoyed by his repsonse to being asked whether he still had the same enthusiasm for Majors after his third round last week:

"The Majors? Absolutely. It's really the motivating factor for me to keep my game at a high level. You know, the odds are starting to get in my favour of winning another one. If I keep ranking them up, I'll get another one. I'm excited for The Open. I felt like my game was in good shape yesterday. I have to fix it up this weekend and head into next week with a bit of confidence."

Scottie Scheffler

This is the only Major and maybe only tournament where I'm not as confident putting World Number One Scottie Scheffler in as a potential winner. Although he was a dead cert for the first three, I'm not so sure that the American has truly shown his abilities on links golf courses. His Open Championship record has a best finish of 8th in 2021 followed by a tied 21st and 23rd in the last two years.

However, this is Scottie Scheffler and his form has been incredible this season, so we will see whether he can add a seventh title and second Major to his season as he takes on Royal Troon for the first time.

The Women & Golf's team Open predictions

Here's who the rest of the Women & Golf team are betting on:

Kim, Chairperson: "My head says Xander Schauffele, but heart says Tommy Fleetwood!"

Jane, Head of Sales & Marketing: "Head: Collin Morikawa. Heart: Always Tommy Fleetwood!"

Harry, Social Media: "For naustalgia, I'd love to see Tiger win. But my head says Cameron Smith."

Brandon, Social Media: "I'm sticking with the old faithful as one day it WILL be right ... Rory McIlroy."

Find out everything you need to know about the 152nd Open >