The Open 2023: Could a Canadian golfer triumph and claim the Claret Jug this year?

This year's Open returns to Hoylake, marking nearly a decade since Rory McIlroy last lifted the esteemed trophy at Royal Liverpool. After his victory at the Genesis Scottish Open recently, McIlroy is heading into 2023's event as the frontrunner, sparking conversation about a potential repeat triumph.

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Turning back to golf, let's examine the journey to Hoylake and identify which competitors might contend for the celebrated trophy come Sunday afternoon.

The Open is this season's last major event, with the Ryder Cup following in September. The season has showcased diverse champions thus far, though a few players have frequently graced the top 10. The Open offers a unique challenge, but before discussing this, a recap of 2023's journey so far is due.

The Masters

Jon Rahm donned the green jacket in early April, with familiar names like Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed once again in close pursuit, as they've done multiple times before.

PGA Championship

In May, Brooks Koepka clinched the PGA Championship in Rochester, New York. Scottie Scheffler was the runner-up, and Viktor Hovland impressed again, backing his strong Masters performance with another top 10 finish.

The US Open

Wyndham Clark seized the most significant win of his career at the US Open in June, leaving Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler to claim second and third spots. With Cameron Smith, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm rounding out the top 10, it was clear that even with a surprise victor, the competition drew the expected talent.

Finding yourself at Hoylake from the starting hole means facing a serious golfing test. A new bunker within driving reach can catch cautious shots, while the second stroke targets a narrow green. This typical links course switches characters with the wind's moods. Although McIlroy's 2014 victory is memorable, overpowering this course is rare. A conservative approach with the driver is often wise.

Holes 5, 6, 15, and 18 offer the best chances for birdies, weather permitting. With the 6th as a par 3 and the others being par 5s, strategy is key.

Two Canadian contenders are stepping up to Hoylake in 2023, and even though they lack numbers, their top 50 global rankings testify to their capability to tackle these demanding links.

Corey Conners +8000

World-ranked 34th, Conners enters his 4th Open with past performances showing progress: initially missing the cut but later tying for 15th and 28th in 2021 and 2022. This April, he claimed his second PGA title at the Valero Texas Open, echoing his 2017 success.

Consistently impressive at The Masters with three consecutive top-ten finishes from 2020 to 2022, Conners can clearly hold his own at this elite level. However, last week's Scottish Open saw inconsistency: brilliant rounds of -5 on Friday and -4 on Sunday weren't enough to offset a +2 start and a +1 Saturday.

Nick Taylor +30000

In an epic showdown, it took four playoff holes for the world number 46 to defeat Tommy Fleetwood and capture the RBC Canadian Open title earlier this year. Despite an unremarkable majors record and no Open appearances yet, Taylor boasts a Pebble Beach victory, suggesting coastal winds aren't a hurdle.

Taylor's Scottish Open mirrored Conners' patterns but on different days. His -2 Thursday and -5 Saturday performances were marred by an even-par Friday and +1 Sunday, culminating in a shared 19th place at -6.

With a field brimming with talent, several athletes stand out with strong potential for clinching The Open. This speaks to four days of what should be spectacular golf at this major season finale, as we dive into the strengths of the top contenders.

Rory McIlroy +700

Though occasional inconsistency occurs, his talent is undeniable. Since his 2014 victory, he's secured placements like 2nd, 3rd, tied 4th, and tied 5th across six tournament entries. His recent wins, including the Dubai Desert Classic and the Scottish Open, highlight an impressive 13-month run with five victories.

Though he endured a lean period, with only one win over 2017 and 2018, he's since found his groove anew. Raised on links courses in Northern Ireland, it's unsurprising he's considered a favorite for the Claret Jug.

Scottie Scheffler +700

As the world number one, he's achieved top 10 finishes in nine of the last 11 major tournaments. Of the two he missed, one was last year's Open. With an eighth-place finish in 2021, his only other appearance hints at a trajectory toward success.

Tying for third in the Scottish Open last week, a level par final round limited his result to a five-shot gap from the winner. His scorecard included seven bogeys and a double bogey, with Sunday's final round adding four to the tally. Despite others boasting stronger links records, a favorable result would still be unsurprising.

Jon Rahm +1200

Tied for 3rd in 2021 but lacking further top 10 finishes in his five other appearances, his links course record isn't stellar, yet as the world's second-ranked player, his 2023 form is commendable.

This year marks his first instance of four PGA tour wins in a single season. While he achieved four victories in 2019 as well, three were on the European Tour. At 28, it's safe to say he's in peak form warranting respect.

Cameron Smith +1800

Last year's champion rose from a four-stroke deficit at the finale, with a 64 tying for the second-lowest final round in Open history. His back nine score of 30 shattered previous records.

This raises questions for 2023: Can he replicate last year's level? If yes, he remains a top contender globally, but if not...

Tommy Fleetwood +2200

Tommy Fleetwood has been knocking on the major champion's door with finishes like runner-up in 2019 and tied for 4th last year. Despite remaining winless in majors, 2023 unfolds as a steady year for the Englishman. Heartbreakingly close at the Canadian Open, he secured 5th at last month's US Open.

At last week's Scottish Open, Fleetwood excelled during Saturday's 'moving day' only to falter with a +2 on Sunday, tying for 6th. Hoylake demands more consistency, but Fleetwood's potential to mount a strong opposition remains high.

Links courses, notorious for their challenging nature, often open doors for underdog players hitting the spotlight. We've spotlighted three players worth watching at higher odds this week.

Robert MacIntyre +6000

Not the first time, a Scot delivered a valiant performance at the Scottish Open last weekend, securing 2nd place. The 26-year-old's limited Open appearances saw notable outcomes: tieing for 6th in 2019 and 8th in 2021.

Only Rory McIlroy's back-to-back birdies denied him victory at the Scottish Open. Four rounds went under par, showcasing some of MacIntyre's best golf. There's no better timing for rising form than this week.

Ryan Fox +9000

The New Zealander hasn't yet showcased a strong finish in majors, but his love for links courses promises improvement. Tied 16th in 2019 is his best Open result to date, but he's shown favorability for links again recently.

Last week's Scottish appearance ended tied for 12th following an even-par final day. It was the front nine that hampered him: accumulating five birdies against ten bogeys over four days read poorly. Yet, 14 birdies and two bogeys on the back nine told a different story. With victories at both the Alfred Dunhill Links and Northern Irish Open, it's clear he relishes this style of course.

Jordan Smith +30000

To many, Smith might not be a household name, but he delivered a stunning performance in Scotland with all four rounds under par, conceding only six shots over 72 holes. The 2022 Portugal Masters champion is unfazed by coastal courses.

Smith debuted at The Open in 2022, taking some time to adapt but storming through Sunday's course with a -5 marred only by a double bogey on 17. His learning from that experience should bolster his performance this year.

Winning a Major is a monumental challenge with few given the opportunity to achieve it. Yet, Corey Conners and Nick Taylor's encouraging Scottish Open efforts suggest they could remain in the game come this weekend.

Both Conners and Taylor would be surprise Claret Jug champions, but dismissing them entirely isn't wise. Conners' solid record at Augusta highlights his strategic play, while Taylor's Pebble Beach victory alludes to his comfort on breezy courses. While Taylor's Open experience is lacking, his +30000 stronger-than-expected play in Scotland should be taken into account.