A week where the England fan who may be headed to Royal Birkdale this weekend might be in a predicament. As a fan of both, I will be relaxing on my couch for most of it.

Today kicks of the start of the week. With the two heavy weights of France and Spain kicking off at 3:00 pm. So much talent on one screen, it reminds me of a Christopher Nolan film. Anyway we are in for a treat this afternoon and the poetry of this beautiful game will be on full display. With the way France has been playing, it is hard for me to not choice them but with this game you never know.

On the flip side of things we have historical clash of Argentina and England once again. I fear this game will have some nasty challenges throughout the game compared to the France Spain game. This will be a game of slam poetry and each team will need to be clinical in the final third. I will be on the side of England for the rest of the way. It has been far too long with the talent they produce. With how the sports year has been going, with teams who have had struggled for so long have found ways to win Championships and trophies again. This could be the year for the Three Lions to finally bring it home.

The Open

I know the title says a European week, but during this section I might just talk about how good Chris Gotterup is. 5 wins over the past two 2 years, the same amount as Rory McILroy, who has been 2 of the best player in the world during that time. He has the “IT” factor to win multiple majors and I will be laddering him this week.

Lets talk about the golf course a little bit because a lot has changed since Royal Birkdale hosted in 2017. They have changed some greens, bunkering, and even tee boxes. From the birds eye view of things it looks less open than it did in 2017. Players will have to make numerous decisions off the tee boxes with how firm it is. And right now the wind is up for the Thursday and Friday rounds. Factor the firmness and the wind, it could be a long Thursday and Friday for the players.

Top 5 Picks

Xander Schauffele- Top 20

A guy who has been incredibly consistent at this event. He has been T-17 or better the last four opens and looks to continue that streak.

Matt Fitzpatrick- Top 10

Got to throw an Englishmen in there and one that has been consistent this whole year. Played well at the Scottish Open this past week, usually like to use that as an indicator of who is ready for this week.

Robert MacIntyre- Top 10

Another guy who loves the open and just came off a great finish at the Scottish Open. The major he wants to win the most.

Viktor Hovland- Top 20

Hovland is quite the interesting golfer and he can win at any moment. He just got a win at the Travelers and is coming off a T-13 at the Scottish. Game is trending in the right way and I think we will see that again this week.

Rory McIlroy- Top 5

Obviously he is scheduling around the majors and we saw him put in a good performance at the Scottish this past week. Game is in a good spot and I know he wants to win another Open, which he has not win since 2014.

Movies

A European Week indeed for the great Christopher Nolan, whose new movie The Odyssey comes out this week. Personally my favorite director and its to the point I try to rewatch all of his movies before watching his new one. He does things nobody else could dream of and I think if this goes to plan like I think it will, he will be in some serious conversations. Sunday could be one of the best days I could experience between The Open, World Cup Final, and then go see the most anticipated movie of the year.

Anyway everyone enjoy the week and have a couple of pints. Cheers!