Britain’s Big Hopes At The Open
The Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world and boasts a winners list of some of the greatest golfers that have ever lived. Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have all lifted the Claret Jug in their careers, and in 2023 another full field of competitors will go head to head on the coast of Scotland in an attempt to join them.
Britain’s Best Hopes
Rory McIlroy
“Rory Mcilroy” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by internetsense
It is now nine years since the last British player took home the Claret Jug. Rory McIlroy won by two strokes in 2014, and the Northern Ireland native will be back again this year and the golf betting markets suggest that a second win in the major may be on the cards.
This year’s US Open runner-up comes into the tournament in good form and currently leads The Open 2023 Odds at 15/2. Currently ranked number three in the world, McIlroy has six top-ten Open finishes in his career, and given the way he plays the links courses, it is no surprise that he is favourite.
Tommy Fleetwood
A six-time winner on the European tour, Tommy Fleetwood is England’s best hope of winning the Open Championship since Nick Faldo over thirty years ago. Fleetwood has a history of going deep in the big competitions and showed his liking for the links courses of Scotland when finishing 2nd in the 2019 renewal.
Not in the best form, but can never be counted out, and a top-ten finish could well be within his reach.
Justin Rose
One of the most consistent players on the tour for some years now, Justin Rose will be dreaming of an Open win in 2023. The Londoner has one Major to his name after his US Open win in 2014, and has consistently put in some top performances on the big stages.
Twice a Masters runner-up, Rose tied for second at the 2018 Open and will come into this year’s tournament in good form. With three top-ten finishes to his name in the past, a price of 33/1 could prove to be great value.
“JUSTIN ROSE” (Public Domain) by SOVS43
Two Dangerous Foreign Raiders
With just three serious contenders hailing from the British Isles, the Claret Jug will likely be heading overseas once again in 2023. Below are the tournament favourites from the rest of the world.
Scottie Scheffler
It will be no surprise to anyone that Rory McIlroy’s biggest challenger in the betting market is the world’s number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler. Last year’s Masters winner continues to compete at the highest level, and his consistency shows no signs of wavering. One thing that stands against the American is his past performances in The Open, with his 2019 eight-placed finish being his best.
Jon Rahm
Also pushing McIlroy for favouritism is the big-hitting Spaniard, Jon Rahm. The world number two has two Major wins to his name thus far, with this year’s Masters win adding to his 2021 US Open success. With four PGA Tour wins already this year, Rahm will arrive at The Open as the form player.
