2023 Open Championship sleeper picks to watch: Here’s who might break out

Ben Curtis knew what of us had been saying. However he listened to only one.

”I do know the names on the trophy, clearly, simply from watching the British Open and rising up across the recreation,” Curtis told the New York Times on the time. ”I do know I’m in nice firm and I really feel like I don’t belong proper now, however I do know in my thoughts that I do. Many individuals are most likely saying, properly, he doesn’t actually belong there, however I do know I do, in order that’s all that issues.”

Certainly.

However nonetheless.

Forward of the 2003 Open Championship, Curtis had by no means gained. He was ranked No. 396 on the earth. In accordance with the Instanceshe had by no means performed the course (Royal St. George’s), and he met his caddie (Andy Sutton) simply that week. And according to bettingoffers.org.ukhe was listed at 500-1 to win — and to that time in monitoring again to 1984, the bottom odds an eventual champion had had been 60-1 (Paul Lawrie in 1999, and John Daly in 1995).

However what occurred: Curtis shot rounds of one-over 72, 72, 70 and 69, and he bested the sphere, with Thomas Bjorn and Vijay Singh ending a stroke again and tying for second, and Tiger Woods and Davis Love III ending two again and tying for third. And alongside the best way, Curtis gave hope to a bunch of others.

Like maybe Adri Arnaus. Or Callum Shinkwin. Or Michael Kim. All are listed at round 500-1 for this week’s Openat Royal Liverpool.

With that, members of our employees have every picked a protracted shot. The hope is, in fact, we help you with your own weekly pickswhether or not these are for a low-stakes workplace fantasy league, or (authorized!) big-bucks bets with a sportsbook.

On to our picks.

2023 Open Championship sleeper picks to look at

Ryan Barath

Sleeper decide: Eric Cole, +30,000. The person has been on a tear not too long ago, and he’s exhibiting no indicators of slowing down. As a bonus decide, I’m going with Alex Fitzpatrick (+50,000). No, I didn’t make a spelling mistake — I’m going to select the brother of 2022 U.S. Open champ Matt FItzpatrick to return out of nowhere to have a pleasant exhibiting decide.

Josh Berhow

Sleeper decide: Adam Scott, +6,600. He tied for fifth the final time he performed right here and has had a really strong, constant season. His missed minimize on the U.S. Open has been his solely one of many yr in 14 begins. These are good odds for a man who might simply cling across the first web page of the leaderboard on the weekend.

James Colgan

Sleeper decide: Seamus Energy, +15,000. My coronary heart says Liverpool native Matthew Jordan, however my head says Seamus Energy could also be higher cash on the similar odds.

Nick Dimengo

Sleeper decide: Kurt Kitayama, +15,000. Certain, Kitayama has missed three of the previous 4 cuts, however the one which he did make was on the Scottish Open this previous weekend, which suggests he could have an affinity for the UK type of golf. I simply have a intestine feeling that, after the entire craziness within the golf world this yr, an absolute random champion will emerge this week. Enter the ‘yam man!

Jack Hirsh

Sleeper decide: Sahith Theegala +12,500: This decide is extra primarily based on how lengthy his odds are than something. Sahith Theegala, thirty third within the OWGR and winner of almost $5 million this yr, is manner too good to be 125-1. He final completed inside the highest 10 at Hilton Head in April, however he notched his first main high 10 on the Masters the week earlier than. I say he bounces again in a giant manner.

Zephyr Melton

Sleeper decide: Denny McCarthy, +12,500. Denny McCarthy may not be a reputation informal followers are acquainted with, however he’s been robust this season. Information Golf ranks him because the Thirteenth-best participant on the earth because it stands, and he’s using three high 10s in his previous 4 begins. He’s among the finest putters on the earth, and if he can do sufficient together with his ball-striking, we would have one other unlikely main winner.

Nick Piastowski

Sleeper decide: My decide is similar as Zephyr’s above — however I additionally like Pablo Larrazabel (+40,000). These are some loooong odds for a participant who’s gained twice on the DP World Tour for the reason that finish of April.

Braden Reed

Sleeper decide: Denny McCarthy, +12,500. There hasn’t been a warmer putter on the PGA Tour than Denny. He’s been knocking on the door for the previous month and a half, and whereas it is perhaps daring to foretell a significant as his breakthrough, at 125-1, it’s arduous to not love his worth at that quantity.

Tim Reilly

Sleeper decide: Keegan Bradley, +9,000. He’s price placing cash on at these odds. Bradley has been a constant performer all season, and his confidence stage needs to be excessive after successful the Vacationers in entrance of a house crowd.

Josh Sens

Sleeper decide: Corey Conners, +9,000. A part of me desires to say Joost Luiten, however that’s solely as a result of I like saying “Joost Luiten.” We all know that placing is the one factor that has held Conners again. And we all know that the Open is the key the place placing typically takes much less primacy. These are lengthy odds for a man who will get his ball round in addition to Conners.

Marley Sims

Sleeper decide: Davis Riley, +30,000. A pure ball striker, he’s discovered some type of late, with four-straight made cuts. He’s sure to win a giant one quickly. Why not this week?

Jonathan Wall

Sleeper decide: Billy Horschel, +35,000. It’s a dart throw … at the hours of darkness. Nothing about Horschel’s latest type screams contender, however we all the time see a reputation on the board at majors that we didn’t anticipate to see. Why not Horschel? He’s resulting from discover his recreation.

Golf Journal

Subscribe To The Journal

Subscribe

Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Journal. In his position, he’s answerable for modifying, writing and growing tales throughout the golf area. And when he’s not writing about methods to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native might be enjoying the sport, hitting the ball left, proper and quick, and consuming a chilly beer to clean away his rating. You possibly can attain out to him about any of those matters — his tales, his recreation or his beers — at nick.piastowski@golf.com.