15 takeaways from the Open Championship

Let's hope it does not take another 68 years for the Open to return to Royal Portrush. Not only did it play a fine host to arguably the best golf we've seen displayed in 2019, but the scenic beauty of the track also was truly something to take in whether live or in HD. In terms of being a challenge, Portush showed its force on Sunday when the winds started whipping and the rain made an appearance. Even the best in the world looked like weekend hackers in the final round. 

For the casual golf fan who tunes in only for majors to watch golf's notable names, this tournament was a disappointment. No Tiger. No Phil. No Rory — at least not on the weekend. With three of golf's most recognizable names failing to make the cut, it's a good bet some bypassed the Open weekend coverage. Too bad. They missed some great golf and a worthy champion in Shane Lowry. 

It can be argued that the biggest news of the Open was Rory McIlroy missing the cut in his home country — on the course where he shot a 61 as a teenager. However, the bigger question in regard to McIroy should be: When will he win another major? Though he posted top-10 finishes at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, McIlroy has missed a cut in at least one major in four consecutive seasons. That's five years now since Rory last won a major.

Phil Mickelson's missed cut in Northern Ireland ended a third straight frustrating season of major play for one of golf's greats. His best finish in the four tournaments was a tie for 18th at the Masters. Next year Mickelson turns 50 and though he still seems quite capable of contending at weekly PGA Tour stops, it appears his best major days are behind him. Maybe it's time Phil starts thinking Champions Tour, at least in terms of major competition. Too soon?

Perhaps the most impressive part of Tiger Woods' disappointing, short time at Royal Portrush was his honesty. Woods, who turns 44 in December, knows his days of dominating the major scene are over. That's not to say he won't win another one; we know better than to make that kind of claim. But after missing multiple major cuts in the same season for the second time in his career, we should expect inconsistency from the aging superstar who also knows his body is no longer on the same page with his mind — on the golf course.

Speaking of Tiger and Phil. the best stat to come out of the Open Championship was that Woods and Mickelson each missed a cut in the same major tournament for the first time in 83 such events in which they have started together. Quite remarkable, yet the way the two have played of late, totally not surprising when thinking about it. Maybe they can make up that money lost through "The Match, Part II?"

The American bid to sweep the 2019 majors fell short with Lowry's victory. U.S. golfers have not won all four majors in a season since 1982, but after Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka and Gary Woodland each came through in the previous three, the run ended at Royal Portrush. Tony Finau led the American contingent with his career major-best, third-place at 7-under par

While America didn't get its major sweep. Lowry's victory was not just a special moment for Ireland, and Northern Ireland for that matter, but also for Europe. It's the first time since Padraig Harrington won back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and '08 that European golfers won the event in two straight years. Italy's Francesco Molinari, who won last year at Carnoustie, shot an impressive Sunday-best 5-under 66 to finish tied for 11th at 3-under par for the tournament. 

Oh, Rickie, when will your time come as a major winner? Once again, Rickie Fowler had his moments in a major and was among the lead groups on Sunday. However, Fowler was one of many done in by Royal Portrush's final-round wrath. He dropped from contention as the day went on, to finish at plus-3 on Sunday and 5-under for the tournament. His tie for sixth over the weekend marked the fifth time in the last 11 majors that Fowler finished in the top 10. 

For the second straight major event, Brooks Koepka did not win. There must be something wrong, right? Hardly. Koepka was there in the end, although in the distance. But his tie for fourth at 6-under par at the Open Championship has now left Koepka with a top-five finish at five consecutive majors — it's also his worst placement during that run. That's how good Koepka has been. He doesn't have to win it all, but the fact he's in contention like this might be even more impressive. It certainly solidifies him as the game's best in the moment and someone who has the chance to win any tournament, any weekend.

It would not be a major without a little drama. Back to Koepka. We know he's not a fan of those slow of pace on the course. So he wasn't done any favors while paired with J.B. Holmes, considered one of the slower players on tour. Holmes, in contention for the first three rounds, carded a disastrous final-round 87. That obviously didn't help speed up his play, and some wondered if Koepka's Sunday 74 was attributed to the deliberate nature of Holmes. Koepka did not think so, though some of his post-match comments might of hinted he was a little put off with Holmes' pace of play, in general.

Time to talk about the champion. Shane Lowry's six-shot victory might not have provided much drama down the stretch, but for the people of the Irish Isle it was a unifying moment. The two countries came together to support one of their own, and he came through while Rory McIlroy and true local-boy Graeme McDowell could not get the job done. It was also redemption for Lowry, who blew a four-shot lead after three rounds at the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont. His 1-over round in those conditions Sunday should be lauded as much as his Saturday 63.

With Gary Woodland's victory at the U.S. Open and Shane Lowry's triumph over the weekend, a pair of first-time major champions were crowned this season. First-time major winners have certainly been the trend, which has now been the case in five consecutive seasons. One would think this streak will continue in 2020, especially with all the great, and young, talent that's ready to break out. 

...On the major schedule for 2019, that is. Maybe not all golf fans were on board with moving the PGA Championship to May, but it makes sense to have the Open Championship, arguably the most historic tournament in all of the game, round out the major tournament slate. Plus, it gives PGA Tour members a chance to focus, and even rest up, for the upcoming FedEx Cup playoff.

The three-tournament FedEx Cup playoff is less than a month away, culminating with the Tour Championship. It will be interesting to see the reception now that the playoff is the focal point of an August without a major. Chances are, it won't make much of a difference, but if Tiger and Koepka are in the race then the PGA Tour should be happy.