The world of golf has returned to Hoylake for the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. Nine years ago, Rory McIlroy outlasted Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia on his way to becoming the 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year at this very venue.
McIlroy, who won the Genesis Scottish Open last week, was chased down by Cam Smith last season at St. Andrews and eventually finished third.
Smith was admittedly emotional when he returned the Claret Jug this week, but he sounds extremely motivated to get it back.
Although some of the top players in the world are playing their best golf at the moment, that doesn’t mean Sunday will be without a Cinderella story.
Here are five sleeper picks for the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool.
Bryson DeChambeau: 60/1
Last 5 starts: T-11 (LIV Golf London), 2nd (LIV Golf Andalucia), T-20 (US Open), T-9 (LIV Golf DC) and T-4 (PGA Championship)
Last 5 Open starts: T-8 (2022), T-33 (2021), MC (2019), T-51 (2018) and MC (2017)
Tom Kim: 65/1
Last 5 starts: T-6 (Genesis Scottish Open), MC (Rocket Mortgage Classic), T-38 (Travelers Championship), T-8 (US Open) and MC (Memorial)
One career Open start: T-47 (2022)
Robert Macintyre: 80/1
Last 5 starts: 2nd (Genesis Scottish Open), T-4 (Made in Himmerland), T-39 (British Masters), T-18 (BMW International Open) and MC (Scandinavian Mixed)
Three career Open starts: T-34 (2022), T-8 (2021) and T-6 (2019)
Min Woo Lee: 80/1
Last 5 starts: T-35 (Genesis Scottish Open), T-15 (British Masters), T-9 (Travelers Championship), T-5 (US Open), and T-40 (Charles Schwab Challenge)
Two career Open starts: T-21 (2022) and MC (2021)
Brian Harman: 90/1
Last 5 starts: T-12 (Genesis Scottish Open), T-9 (Rocket Mortgage Classic), T-2 (Travelers Championship), T-43 (US Open), and MC (Memorial)
Last 5 Open starts: T-6 (2022), T-19 (2021), MC (2019), MC (2018) and MC (2017)
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Story originally appeared on GolfWeek