USA’s superstar golfers have descended on Royal Portrush for The 153rd Open but have been warned about what lies ahead for them.
San Diego-born Xander Schauffele claimed Claret Jug glory at Troon last year, holding off Billy Horschel and Justin Rose.
He was the third American in the last four years to win The Open and there are plenty of big names from across the pond looking to shine again this week.
Schauffele will be looking to go back-to-back while World Number 1 Scottie Scheffler will be eyeing his fourth major crown.
But at Portrush, Andrew Johnston, who finished eighth at the 2016 tournament, reckons the Americans could struggle.
When Shane Lowry won at the famous Northern Ireland links six years ago, only five Americans finished inside the top 20 while the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Keegan Bradley and Tiger Woods missed the cut.
Johnston says the unpredictable weather and tough playing conditions in County Antrim could catch a few top USA names out this week.
Asked what Scheffler and co could struggle with, Beef told talkSPORT: “Oh especially the weather – you can come over here and think it’s summertime but it could be like 10 degrees, rain coming in sideways.
“It gets cold and maybe they haven’t had that kind of weather. It’s so different. They feel the cold.
“It can definitely sort of give you a wake-up call, that’s for sure.
“It’s the change in how far the ball goes as well if it’s cold and it’s windy.
“They could be playing in America and it could be 30 odd degrees and they’re hitting a nine iron 160 yards. And all of a sudden they’re going to be hitting it 140 with a bit of wind. It’s such a big change.
Recent Open Champions
2024: Xander Schauffele, Royal Troon
2023: Brian Harman, Royal Liverpool
2022: Cameron Smith, St Andrews
2021: Collin Morikawa, Royal St George’s
2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019: Shane Lowry, Royal Portrush
2018: Francesco Molinari, Carnoustie
2017: Jordan Spieth, Royal Birkdale
2016: Henrik Stenson, Royal Troon
2015: Zach Johnson, St Andrews
“You have to grasp that really quickly if you haven’t come over and played a few links courses.”
On the other difficulties facing the players this week, Johnston added: “The first step is to miss all the bunkers.
“You know on a parkland course you might hit it in a trap, you can still hit it to the green. Links golf has these pop bunkers and you’re just coming out sideways. You’re losing a shot straight away.
“I think it’s a real ploy to get around these golf courses and go ‘do you know what, I’m going to hit a four iron off this tee and take all the bunkers out of play’.
“If you avoid a lot of them, that’s a good start.”
If the American stars do fail to shine at Portrush, Johnston is tipping an Englishman to pounce.
Tyrrell Hatton, who won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last year, heads into The Open off the back of his best ever major performance.
The LIV Golf star finished T4 at the US Open last month and was right in contention to win before finishing with back-to-back bogeys.
Hatton has struggled at The Open in recent years but is in good form as he eyes a big week in Northern Ireland.
Asked who he’ll be betting on to win, Johnston said: “I’m leaning towards Tyrell.
“He’s been playing some good golf so I’m going to lean towards Tyrell.”
He added: “These major tournaments the field is so stacked and I think there’s 50, 60, 70 people within a chance of winning it. There’s so many good players in this field.
“You can look at Rory, Xander, Scheffler, Lowry, there’s Hatton, Fleetwood, I mean there’s so many good players. I’ve hardly got into it and I could be here the next 10 minutes naming players.”
The 2025 Open will be live on talkSPORT 2 each morning from 17 July. Play will begin at 6:35am on the opening two days and at 7:30am over the weekend.