Consistent performer Zach Johnson ready to boss his rivals

Sky Sports Main Event, from 6.30am Thursday

Zach Johnson has a fantastic record in the Open Championship over the last seven years and the 2015 champion may make another bold bid for the Claret Jug at Carnoustie.

Johnson boasts form figures of 16-9-6-47-1-12-14 from the 2011 Open onwards, and his only previous appearance in an Open at Carnoustie yielded a share of 20^th spot in 2007. Expect the little grinder to win his first-round threeball against Adam Scott and Brendan Steele (1.15pm).

It is easy to forget quite how good a player the unassuming Johnson is – a former Masters champion, former Open champion, and only a shot outside of a playoff for the 2010 USPGA at Whistling Straits. He was 12^th in the last Major – the US Open – and is no longer frightened by the most prestigious gatherings on the golfing calendar.

Johnson arrived in Scotland after three consecutive US Tour top-20s, the latest of which came in the John Deere Classic on Sunday, where he closed with a 64 – the best score in the field – to shoot up to 16^th spot. Those late fireworks sent him on the plane across the Atlantic with renewed confidence and he can boss his Carnoustie playing partners.

The chronic putting problems that Scott suffers make him difficult to trust anywhere these days, while Steele has missed the cut in all three of his previous Open spins and does not seem to possess the courage required for the biggest tournament of the season.

The links-loving Ryan Fox, a playoff loser in the Irish Open and sixth in the Scottish Open over the last fortnight, looks a juicy price to account for two poor putters in the 3.32pm contest. Jason Dufner and Keegan Bradley compete on the US Tour and are Major champions, but both suffer badly on the greens and could be left behind by the in-form New Zealander.

Fox was fourth in the Irish Open last year and fourth in the Scottish Open, so this is the time of the season and the sort of turf at which the power-packed Auckland man comes alive. Bradley was not even in the Open until John Daly withdrew on Sunday and the American raiders in this group seem unlikely to bring much to the party.

The other threeball wager which appeals on the opening afternoon is Sergio Garcia in the 3.10pm contest. Bryson DeChambeau withdrew during the first round of his John Deere Classic title defence last week, three over par at the time and complaining of a shoulder injury, so it is doubtful that his second Open appearance will amount to much. He missed the cut on his debut last year.

The other member of this group – Shubhankar Sharma – is making his Open debut and likely to be full of early nerves. The Indian has never made the cut in a Major. Garcia, who has recorded ten Open top-ten finishes, has the key experience which can prove decisive.

Recommendations
Z Johnson
3pts 5-4 general
R Fox
2pts 15-8 Betfred
S Garcia
2pts 11-10 Betfred

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, click here to find advice on how you can receive help

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport