Who will win this year’s Open?

·  The player that most matches the profile of an Open champion is Dustin Johnson

·  The average Open champion is 33 years old, married and has three children

·  On average, they can hit the ball 298 yards, their typical score is 9 under par and their average margin of victory is 3

·  It helps to be right-handed – only one-left handed golfer has won The Open in the last 52 years

The Open Championship is the most historical and prestigious tournament in golf – but who is most likely to lift the Claret Jug this year?

Using the performance and personal data of every Open champion since play was extended to four days in 1966, insurance provider Golf Care has predicted that Dustin Johnson is most likely to win this year’s Open.

According to Golf Care’s interactive index, ‘DJ’, whose best finish at the Open was T2 in 2011, has an 81% compatibility with the average Open winner. This person is 33 years old, has a score of 9 under par and can hit the ball an incredible 298 yards!

Out of the 35 Open winners over the last 52 years, one in seven were aged 33 when they won and 43% of them had three or more children – showing that a big family can be the formula for success!

However, being-left handed isn’t. Over the past half-century, only one left-handed golfer has won The Open – Phil Mickelson in 2013.

Whoever wins this year’s Open is likely to have a battle on his hands – the last three champions at Carnoustie all won via a play-off!

Discussing the findings, 3-time Ryder Cup Captain and Golf Care ambassador Bernard Gallacher said: “The Open is a barometer for golfing legends. Having played at The Open 18 times in my career, I’ve been lucky enough to compete with some of the greatest golfers of all time. Golf Care’s research provides an encyclopaedic insight into what makes these players unique and is a must-read for any golf enthusiast.

He continued: “Dustin Johnson’s best years are still ahead of him, which is quite a scary prospect. He’s an exceptional golfer who is a good bet to win whenever he plays and has the power to win on any course in any conditions.”

As well as providing an in-depth look at every Open winner over the last 52 years, this website allows golf fans to pit previous winners against each other and assesses who would win based on their statistics. Some of the ‘battles of the legends’ include Jack Nicklaus vs Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo vs Greg Norman and Gary Player vs Tom Watson.