The Open Championship A-Z Guide

Byeong Hun An 100/1

Sealed one of the final three spots in this year’s Open with a tie for third at the Scottish Open. Will be his ninth appearance in this great championship, but surely isn’t quite good enough.

Abraham Ancer 160/1

The Mexican is hoping he can find the Ancer at Hoylake this year and a tie for 11th at St Andrews last year suggests he’s finally getting the hang of links golf.

Adri Arnaus200/1

Probably better than his overall career record suggests, but has struggled in two Open appearances so far and that will likely continue.

Jose Luis Ballester2000/1

It might be worth noting if he had ‘os’ at the end of his name, but he doesn’t.

Kyle Barker1000/1

You’d be barking mad to fancy him!

Haydn Barron700/1

Finished birdie-eagle to qualify, and while that was spectacular his chances this week are anything but.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout200/1

A player with few weaknesses who tends to go well at tricky golf courses. Was unbeaten at last year’s Presidents Cup, but Open record makes him unappealing.

Alexander Bjork200/1

Tends to struggle in better company and that’s likely to continue at Hoylake.

Richard Bland 350/1

Luckily Richard has made plenty of money from the LIV Tour because he won’t be adding much cash this week.

Dan Bradbury250/1

Makes his Open debut having won last year’s Joburg Open. Played nicely at the British Masters, but this looks a bridge too far.

Keegan Bradley66/1

Pre-shot routine is dreadful and it’s anyone’s guess why he’s allowed to wear basketball shoes, but has been playing well this year and could feature. Open record is abysmal, however.

Sam Burns80/1

Can blow very hot and cold and hasn’t really featured since winning the Match-Play in March. Finished with a Sunday 64 at St Andrews so has the game for this sort of test, though.

Jorge Campillo 350/1

Three missed cuts in three Open starts tells you all you need to know about his chances in 2023.

Laurie Canter250/1

Hasn’t done much on the LIV Tour this year, hasn’t done much in The Open in the past, and won’t be doing much at Hoylake.

Alejandro Canizares – 1000/1

Surprised a few with a T27 at St Andrews in 2010. As his odds suggest, it’s unlikely that will happen 13 years later.

Patrick Cantlay 20/1

Very much a Major winning in-waiting with a game that we’d all dream of. Painfully slow to do anything, but entitled to huge respect after a T8 last time.

Tiger Christensen1000/1

There’s a Tiger playing in The Open! Shame it’s not the one who has won 15 Majors.

Stewart Cink250/1

The 2009 champion who famously denied Tom Watson in a play-off at Turnberry, Stewart will certainly be throwing the kitchen Cink at winning the Claret Jug again.

Wyndham Clark55/1

The most recent Major winner having captured last month’s PGA, Clark is finally realising the potential that many believed he had. Lacking in Open experience, however.

Darren Clarke    1000/1

One of the great moments when he won The Open in 2011 at the age of 42. Best days are well behind him now though.

Corey Conners80/1

One of the best around tee-to-green, but is often let down by the putter. Open record is okay, but will likely find a few too good again.

Harrison Crowe (a) – 1000/1

Let’s hope the weather stays nice for him as this is a tough test for amateurs.

John Daly2000/1

One of golf’s great characters, however isn’t the force of old and will do very well to be around come the weekend.

Jason Day50/1

Bar a T4 at St Andrews in 2015, ‘JDay’ hasn’t cracked this great championship yet. An overdue victory in May was much needed, but there looks more obvious contenders.

Bryson DeChambeau40/1

Bryson would LIV, sorry love, to win an Open, and while he’s playing better than 12 months ago, his erratic long game will surely catch up with him this week.

Thomas Detry – 200/1

One of the best players out there who hasn’t got the job done yet. Undoubtedly talented, but this looks a step too far.

Ernie Els1000/1

It’s hard not to love ‘The Big Easy’ and we’d all watch that gorgeous swing for hours. However, his game isn’t up to scratch these days.

Nacho Elvira1000/1

We’re not quite sure Nacho has the stomach for this.

Harris English150/1

Another player with plenty of talent, but has a poor Open CV and has been out of sorts for large parts of the season.

Oliver Farr1000/1

It’s more than likely that Oliver will end up Farr down the leaderboard.

Ewen Ferguson250/1

Makes his Open Championship debut after winning his first two DP World Tour titles during the 2022 season. An improving player but debutants tend to struggle in this.

Mateo Fernandez De Oliveira (a)1000/1

Your guess is as good as ours.

Tony Finau50/1

No stranger to The Open, having clinched two top-10 finishes – including third place in 2019. The loveable American will be hoping for more of the same at Hoylake.

Zack Fischer1000/1

Tournament debutant after clinching his spot at Royal Liverpool after playing, and winning, his first ever PGA Tour Latinoamerica event back in December.

Alex Fitzpatrick350/1

If he can emulate anywhere close to the form of younger brother and last year’s US Open champion Matt, Alex will have a barnstormer of a debut.

Matt Fitzpatrick33/1

Became England’s only winner of the US Open alongside Justin Rose recently, but yet to clinch a top-10 in seven attempts here. Hoping fortunes change.

Tommy Fleetwood25/1

Tantalisingly close to an Open victory after finishing runner-up to Shane Lowry in 2019, followed by T4 at St Andrews last year. Will do for many.

Rickie Fowler25/1

Three top-10 finishes but a rollercoaster romance with The Open since his 2010 debut. His first PGA Tour win in over four years came this month, so a resurgence could be on the cards and one to keep an eye on.

Ryan Fox100/1

A thunderous past 12 months for the Kiwi, having finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy in the 2022 Race To Dubai and breaking into the world’s top-25. Can he put it all together at Hoylake?

Talor Gooch66/1

Two-time participant, finishing inside the top-30 both times. Three LIV Golf wins this year, and, if in the same form, could be one to watch at a price.

Branden Grace200/1

Broke The Open record at Royal Birkdale with a fantastic round of 62 on his way to T6. Has missed two of the last three cuts, though, and will need something big here.

Ben Griffin500/1

Another debutant, earning his place after scraping through with a T14 in March’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. Broke into the top 100 this year, after starting 2022 placed 1,744th.

Emiliano Grillo – 200/1

A career ranking of 42nd following his Charles Schwab Challenge victory in May clinched him a spot at The Open – though after missing four of the last six cuts, he has unfinished business at Royal Liverpool.

Seungsu Han1000/1

An impressive six-stroke victory in his birth country at the Kolon Korea Open was enough to clinch American Han just his first Open appearance since turning pro in 2009.

Brian Harman125/1

Springing back from four missed cuts in recent times and no stranger to top-20 finishes in Major championships, leftie Harman will want to go even better than his T6 last year.

Padraig Harrington120/1

Two-time Open winner, though his glory days of back-to-back wins in ’07 and ’08 may be behind him with many of his more recent appearances here ending prematurely.

Tyrrell Hatton28/1

The pocket rocket who hasn’t quite conquered Major Championship golf yet. Has all the skills to go well and will be the flavour of the week for plenty.

Russell Henley –  100/1

Finishing 13th having led after three rounds in the 2021 US Open, Henley could be one to watch at a big price with his best Major finish coming this April at The Masters.

Lucas Herbert – 125/1

An Aussie winning The Open in an Ashes year would not go down well with the locals, but showed his liking for links golf with a T15 at St Andrews last year.

Kazuki Higa500/1

Will want to improve on his debut, where the Japanese missed the cut at the first time of asking. With four wins on the Japan Tour last year, he’ll want to take this form into Liverpool.

Daniel Hillier – 200/1

Relatively youthful at 24, already a DP World Tour victor and winner of the recent British Masters. An exciting prospect, but unlikely to be winning this.

Kensei Hirata500/1

Squeezing through a three-hole play-off at the recent Japan Tour, Japanese-born Hirata will be making his Open debut having turned pro just two years ago.

Lee Hodges500/1

Delivered his best performance on the main circuit, tying for third at an American Express event thanks to a 62 and 64 scorecard. Making his Open debut.

Tom Hoge200/1

Proven value after seeing off former Open champion Jordan Spieth to clinch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am. Making only his second Open appearance, after missing last year’s cut.

Nicolai Hojgaard 200/1

Raring to go after a great final round in treacherous conditions at the Scottish Open got him into The Open for the third time. Hugely talented, but nicking a spot at the weekend would be more than acceptable.

Rasmus Hojgaard150/1

Identical twin of Nicolai, and leads their tussle of DP World Tour titles four to one. Will be making his Open debut, but the Dane could go nicely.

Max Homa60/1

Arguably the best swinger in the game and one of the most improved players on the circuit, a big run in a Major can’t be far away. Open record is poor, though.

Billy Horschel100/1

Classy on his day, but a bit like his beloved West Ham, hasn’t been at his best over the past year.

Rikuya Hoshino250/1

With recent Major call-ups granted as an injury replacement or qualifying alternate, Hoshino has unfinished business at Liverpool, having missed the cut at his last two Open showings.

Viktor Hovland20/1

Coming to the boil nicely after a string of good showings this year, the Norwegian, with a good Open record to match, looks a leading contender.

Sungjae Im66/1

Has a chequered record at the Open, but has gone well in Majors before and it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see him feature.

Hiroshi Iwata500/1

Making his first appearance here for eight years after a promising early 2010s. Will do well to be around for the weekend.

Jazz Janewattananond500/1

Has a brilliant name, but unfortunately doesn’t have a brilliant chance.

Dustin Johnson33/1

Consistent on the LIV Tour for a while, as DJ’s record shows, he’s often in the mix at the Majors. Dangerous to dismiss and could go very well.

Zach Johnson500/1

Won The Open at St Andrews in 2015, but it’s unlikely the American Ryder Cup captain will be repeating that feat eight years later.

Matthew Jordan100/1

Making his second successive appearance in The Open – and on his home course too – but won’t be troubling the eventual winner.

Takumi Kanaya –  250/1

Has missed the cut in all three previous Open appearances, and that trend is likely to continue at Royal Liverpool this week.

Kyungnam Kang250/1

The 40-year-old’s most recent tournament victory came in 2021, but the South Korean will need a minor miracle if he is to hit a similar note here.

Taichi Kho – 500/1

Kho only became a professional two months ago – his emotional triumph in the World City Championship seeing him book his Open spot – and such inexperience will likely be exposed.

Bio Kim – 1000/1

Another World City Championship beneficiary, only John Daley is a higher price to win this year’s Open than the South Korean.

Michael Kim500/1

The American won his first PGA Tour event at the 2018 John Deere Classic by eight shots, setting the tournament scoring record, but probably won’t be troubling the leaderboard here.

Si Woo Kim125/1

Tied for 15th in last year’s Open and famously became the youngest ever winner of the Players Championship in 2017. The South Korean is one to keep half an eye on.

Tom Kim55/1

Big things are expected and while he hasn’t been at his best this year, he has played well in both the Masters and US Open. Lack of length won’t as much of an issue this week and a lively outsider.

Chris Kirk200/1

Ended his eight-year drought on the PGA Tour when he triumphed in the Honda Classic in February, and will be aiming to build on a strong finish in last year’s Open (T5).

Kurt Kitayama100/1

One of the most improved players around having broken through on the PGA Tour earlier this year. Has a poor Open record, but went well for a long way at last year’s Scottish Open.

Brooks Koepka – 22/1

The definition of a man for the Majors having won his fifth at the PGA earlier this year. Missed the cut at St Andrews but two T6s and a T4 show he has the tools for this sort of test.

Christo Lamprecht1000/1

Was victorious in last month’s Amateur Championship at Hillside, but he’s playing in the big boys’ league now.

Romain Langasque350/1

Another Amateur Championship winner, which saw him qualify for the 2015 Open and finish T65, the Frenchman will be looking to make the cut for the first time since 2019.

Pablo Larrazabal250/1

The Spaniard is in decent nick having tasted victory in both the Korea Championship and the KLM Open this year, but has failed to make the cut in each of his last four Open appearances.

Thriston Lawrence200/1

Only previous appearance in the Open came last year (T42), and you feel the current South African champion will be content with simply bettering that finish.

K.H. Lee350/1

The South Korean is best known for winning the 2021 and 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson, but his only other Open stint was failing to make the cut last year. Don’t expect any fireworks here.

David Lingmerth 500/1

Makes his first Open start since 2016 after a very good T3 at the Scottish Open last week, but unlikely to be in the shake-up seven days later.

Min Wo Lee66/1

The Australian turned professional in 2019 after winning an impressive six amateur titles and will be aiming to build on a commendable T21 finish in last year’s Open.

Hurly Long500/1

Hurly will likely finish a Long way down the leaderboard at Royal Liverpool. It’s a Long way back to Germany too.

Shane Lowry – 28/1

Loves a round on the links and will be fancied by many to repeat his heroics from Royal Portrush in 2019. Hasn’t been in top form of late, but it would be no surprise to see him return to his best.

Joost Luiten250/1

Only qualified for this year’s Open three weeks ago via a second-place finish at the BMW International Open, Luiten will be wanting to improve on his tournament-best finish of T32 in 2019.

Robert MacIntyre80/1

The Scotsman boasts two top six Open finishes in 2019 and 2021, at one stage becoming the leading Scot in the World Rankings, but his performances have slipped since then.

Alex Maguire1000/1

The Irishman finished 5th in last month’s Amateur Championship, but don’t expect a single-figure finish at Royal Liverpool this week.

Hideki Matsuyama55/1

Matsuyama famously became the first Japanese golfer to win a Major after triumphing in the 2021 Masters, but has struggled for consistency at the Open since a T6 finish in 2013.

Denny McCarthy100/1

Probably the best putter on the PGA Tour, and arguably in the world, Denny makes his Open debut at Hoylake. Unlikely to feature but wouldn’t bet against him making the cut.

Connor McKinney2000/1

The 21-year-old won last year’s Australian Amateur and finished 34th in December’s Australian Open, but will likely be booking an early flight down under after the first 36 holes.

Rory McIlroy13/2

Won his last Major here in 2014 and favourite this year, Rory will be hoping to end his nine-year wait for one of golf’s four biggest prizes.

Adrian Meronk150/1

Very much a DP World Tour specialist, but may struggle in better company and will be happy just to make the cut.

David Micheluzzi500/1

Hard to see Mich doing much here.

Phil Mickelson150/1

No player in the field has won more Majors, a stat made more impressive by the fact that he has won all of them playing the wrong way round. Unlikely to trouble the leaders at Hoylake.

Guido Migliozzi200/1

One of the best names in the competition, doubt we’ll be hearing too much of it though.

Francesco Molinari160/1

Won The Open as recently as 2018 but has massively fallen off the radar since. Unlikely to repeat that success and others are preferred.

Taylor Moore150/1

Another Open debutant, Taylor will need Moore than a bit of luck if he is to trouble the leaders at Royal Liverpool.

Collin Morikawa25/1

Collin Morikawa has been the definition of hit and miss at The Open with one win and one missed cut in two starts.

Trey Mullinax – 500/1

Despite being from Birmingham he may have a tough time working out how to play a British links course, probably because he his from Birmingham, Alabama.

Keita Nakajima 500/1

His Major form speaks for itself, and it hasn’t got many nice things to say. Has never made a cut in a Major and that’s unlikely to change here.

Joaquin Niemann100/1

Niemann impressively made the cut at last year’s Open and the Chilean could spice things up at a big price at Hoylake.

Alex Noren100/1

The Swede is probably not one to take a chance on, and he’s more likely to see his chances slipping through his fingers than he is to be the winner that takes it all.

Thorbjorn Olesen250/1
With some solid DP World Tour form behind him, ‘Thunderbear’ will be hoping to rumble into the weekend at Hoylake.

Louis Oosthuizen100/1
Another one of the LIV Golf contingent, has Major success to back him up, including victory at The Open in 2010. He will be hoping for a lucky 13th year since that win.

Adrian Otaegui250/1
Adrian Otaegui has a 100% record at The Open, when it comes to missing cuts and shooting over 70, that is. Best watched, and probably every year after.

Yannik Paul150/1
Making his debut at The Open, it would certainly be a surprise if he was able to Nik a spot anywhere near the top of the field.

Marco Penge1000/1
Marco Penge qualified for his second Open after staging a stunning comeback having been five-over at Dundonald Links. The young Englishman is one to watch for the future, but definitely not for now.

Victor Perez150/1
Finished a respectable 34th in last year’s Open and any player with an Alfred Dunhill Links Championship under their belt can’t be counted out on this type of course.

Thomas Pieters150/1
Perennial fast starter, but his chances are likely to Pieter out by Friday.

JT Poston250/1
Unfortunately for Mr Poston, there is another JT in the competition with a better chance.

Seamus Power150/1
If there was ever a man who didn’t deserve this name, it’s the one who averages under 300 yards with the driver.

Andrew Putnam350/1
A tidy player who has flown under the radar somewhat with a top-five finish at the Memorial Tournament, will have to be Putnam away at some rate to keep up with the best this time round.

Jon Rahm12/1
The newly crowned Masters champion is among the frontrunners, barring a T3 in 2021 his record in this event far from impressive.

Richie Ramsay500/1
The Open is the only Major at which he has made a cut, but he looks likely to be on the chopping block come the end of Friday.

Patrick Reed90/1
We tend to Reed more bad than good about Patrick and while he has Major pedigree, it would be a bit of a surprise to see him win an Open given his patchy record.

Davis Riley125/1
Always hard to put your faith in a man with two last names and that rule certainly applies here.

Graeme Robertson2000/1
If you don’t know who he is now, you probably still won’t after this tournament.

Brandon Robinson-Thompson1000/1
Brandon Robinson-Thompson has as many names as he has made cuts on the DP World Tour, and likely more than the number of rounds he will play here.

Martin Rohwer1000/1
Row row Rowher your boat, gently down the field.

Justin Rose40/1
Performed well in both The Masters and PGA Championship this year and heads into this off the back of a top-four finish at the British Masters. Could easily be in contention this year.

Antoine Rozner200/1
Wears a visor and misses gimmes, enough said.

Kalle Samooja500/1
Samooja has never played a Major weekend, that looks unlikely to change here.

Xander Schauffele20/1
Has a genuine chance this year but has often come up just short in the Majors with two runner-up finishes so far in his career. Previous wins at links courses only strengthen his chances, though.

Scottie Scheffler7/1
Currently holds the world number one spot and has finished in the top-10 in 11 of his last 13 Major appearances, if he can find his touch on the greens he has every chance of claiming his second career Major here.

Charl Schwartzel350/1
Charl be dammed if South African Schwartzel can claim the Claret Jug. He’s made only one top-10 in 14 Open appearances and looks out of sorts on the LIV Tour.

Adam Schenk150/1
Hot off the back of a T4 finish at the John Deere Classic, Schenk’s in good shape for his Open debut, but has failed to make the cut in two Major appearances this year.

Adam Scott66/1
Mr Reliable. A super solid 67 cuts made from 89 Major appearances, including five top-10s at The Open makes him hard to rule out.

Taiga Semikawa500/1
Japan’s answer to Tiger. Last year’s No.1 amateur and Japan Open champion is rising through the ranks in good style, but this will be more about gaining experience than silverware.

Shubhankar Sharma500/1
Without a top-10 finish on the DP World Tour since January, Sharma looks far from a Shu-banker. Fun fact… he’s finished T51 on both his Open appearances so far.

Callum Shinkwin350/1
A bit like the lawn, Callum’s been cut seven times so far this year. Ranked a lowly 112th for putts per round on the DP World Tour, he’ll need to Shink a few more to avoid another cut this week.

Marcel Siem250/1
Likeable long-haired German Siem ended an eight-year wait for a Tour title when winning in India back in February. He’s made the cut twice from five Open appearances and could make the weekend once again.

Cameron Smith16/1
Heading to Hoylake $4million richer will feel nice for defending champ Smith. The Aussie will be high on a lot of shortlists after his recent LIV win and has to be respected.

Jordan Smith160/1
The man from Bath is a very clean golfer, ranking top on the European Tour for GIR this year. No wins to show for it, though, and he’d be happy to make the weekend.

Travis Smyth1000/1
Ranked 783rd in the world last year. Playing in his first Major this year. 12 months can be a long time in golf and this young Aussie is on an upward curve.

Matthew Southgate350/1
Can he bring golf home again? Probably not. Just about came through qualifying and this looks a big ask, but he was T6 in 2017 and T12 the year before, so clearly enjoys it out on the links.

Jordan Spieth20/1
The 2017 Claret Jug winner has had to take things easy since not making the cut and carrying a wrist injury at last month’s US Open. Classy but fragile. Handle with care.

Scott Stallings250/1
11 cuts missed from 13 Major appearances. It’s a run that’s likely to continue at Royal Liverpool. Has got some of the worst putting figures on tour.

Henrik Stenson250/1
You LIV and you earn. Stenson trousered $648,000 for his T6 Open prep at the Centurion Club, but still looks past his 2016 Claret Jug-winning best.

Michael Stewart1000/1
A brave performance from the Scot at Dundonald saw him battle through wind and rain to qualify for his first Open. Would need more than the elements on his side to win this, though.

Sepp Straka250/1
An Austrian on the up. Personal best 62 when winning the John Deere last week was certainly a Sepp in the right direction.

Ockie Strydom1000/1
Has taken two tour events in his stride since December, but the Saffa struggled on Major debut at the USPGA earlier this year and he’ll do well to make the cut on Open debut.

Connor Syme250/1
A first-class performance saw Syme seal the Turkish Airlines Challenge back in 2019, but he’s been back down in economy since. No wins since then and his major form reads: CUT, CUT CUT.

Nick Taylor160/1
This year’s Canadian Open winner and Phoenix runner-up clearly loves a crowd. He’s been out of sorts barring those performances and has been cut in five of his nine Major appearances.

Sahith Theegala100/1
Exciting young player who relies on touch and feel, so it was no surprise to see him make the cut on Open debut at St Andrews last year. Keep an eye on his progress this week.

Justin Thomas45/1
Recently spotted soaking up the atmosphere at Wimbledon, Thomas will need to serve up a season’s best to get involved. Class act on his day, but recent form is a little concerning.

Brendon Todd150/1
Tall in stature but short off the tee, Todd relies on his short game which served him well when second at the John Deere Classic last week.

Sami Valimaki350/1
Looking to Finnish the right side of the cut for the first time in a Major. 215th in the world and up against it.

Matt Wallace200/1
Resurgent? Yes. Ready to win a Major? Maybe a stretch too far, but don’t be surprised to see his name at the right end of the leaderboard.

Marc Warren1000/1
East Kilbride’s finest is probably happy enough having his tour card back and won’t be thinking he arrives at Hoylake with much of a chance. Making the cut would be his Claret Jug.

Gunner Wiebe500/1
Gunner’s yet to shoot a tour-winning score and looks out of his depth here as the world number 481.

Danny Willett150/1
Though presumably still wearing his 2016 green jacket seven days a week, Willett has appeared in better nick this season and has every chance of making the weekend.

Oliver Wilson500/1
Two wins from 411 tournaments played have made Wilson an expensive player to follow. Likely to be Castaway come Friday evening.

Gary Woodland150/1
Hot off the tee but often cold on the greens of late, the 2019 US Open winner needs to find his touch with the flatstick if he’s to go close in another Major.

Kazuki Yasumori1000/1
There are 941 better golfers in the world according to official rankings and he just about sneaked into the field via a third place finish at the Mizuno Open.

Cameron Young40/1
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, including a runner-up medal on Open debut. Young has come up one spot short in six tour events. Played better at the John Deere, so could be dangerous.

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