Overview of the 156+ golfers teeing it up at the Open Championship including exemptions, storylines with McIlroy, Scheffler, Smith, Rahm and predictions for golf’s oldest major tournament.
The Open Championship returns to Royal Liverpool for golf’s oldest major event, as over 156 top players from various exemption categories tee it up vying for the Claret Jug.
The Field is Set: Breaking Down the 2023 Open Championship Competitors
The stage is set for the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. Over 156 golfers will tee it up at this prestigious major, vying for the iconic Claret Jug trophy. From world #1 Scottie Scheffler to defending Champion Cameron Smith, it’s a star-studded field filled with drama and storylines.
A Look Back at the History of the Open Championship
As the oldest golf tournament in the world, dating back to 1860, the Open Championship carries great historical significance in the sport. Some of the game’s legends like Old and Young Tom Morris, Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have all etched their names on the Claret Jug.
Played primarily over classic links golf courses in Scotland and England that feature rumpled fairways, pot bunkers, firm greens, and coastal winds, the Open provides a unique test that crowns the Champion Golfer of the Year.
The Venue: Royal Liverpool
Royal Liverpool Golf Club, or “Hoylake” as it’s fondly called, last hosted the Open in 2014 when Rory McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug. Located in northwestern England along the Irish Sea, it’s known for its breezy conditions and a routing that runs out-and-back across sand hills. Accuracy off the tee is paramount for scoring.
McIlroy used supreme ball-striking to overpower Hoylake last time. But the 2023 version may play different as Mother Nature often has a say in links golf.
Breaking Down the 156-Player Field
The Open boasts golf’s deepest major field, comprised of around 34 exemptions categories that include professionals that meet various criteria. Here’s a high-level overview:
- Past Open Champions: Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Francesco Molinari
- Past Major Winners from 2022 Back: Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa
- Top Finishers from Recent Opens, PGAs, Masters: Will Zalatoris, Shane Lowry
- Top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking: Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay
- Top 30 on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour Money Lists: Sam Burns, Sungjae Im
- Top 30 in the 2022 FedExCup: Sepp Straka, Seamus Power
- Playing Members on Past Ryder Cup Teams: Tommy Fleetwood, Lee Westwood
Digging deeper, these are some interesting Open Championship debutants:
- Eugenio Chacarra: Recent college standout from Oklahoma State
- Aldrich Potgieter: 19-year old South African amateur
- Nick Dunlap: Young amateur that qualified via regional qualifying
- Jediah Morgan: 17-year old Australian amateur phenom
Notable Storylines to Watch
With such a varied field, there are many juicy narratives that set up the 2023 Open Championship for serious drama:
McIlroy’s Quest to End Major Drought
Once the heir apparent to Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy comes into this Open playing scintillating golf after wins at the Canadian Open and the Travelers Championship. He hasn’t won a major since 2014. But given his Open track record and familiarity with Hoylake, he’s a top contender this year.
LIV Golf Defectors Back in a Major
After resigning from the PGA Tour to join the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, players like Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia return to a major championship. How will they handle the pressure?
Scheffler and Rahm Challenge for #1
World #1 Scottie Scheffler has won four of his last nine PGA Tour starts and continues to play at an elite level. Jon Rahm though sits right behind him in the rankings, hungry to overtake the top spot this season with a major.
Young Guns Versus Established Stars
Will a young talent like Cameron Young, Sam Burns or Sungjae Im breakthrough and claim their first major against the established guard led by Rory, JT, Jordan and the veterans? The mix of generations adds extra intrigue.
Preparing to Conquer Royal Liverpool
Succeeding at Royal Liverpool requires precise iron play and scrambling to handle the elevated, undulating greens. Players will emphasis hitting fairways to control approaches. When the wind blows, club selection and trajectory control become vital.
To adapt to links golf, competitors visiting early are getting accustomed to the firm turf, unique bunkers and speedy greens. Controlling trajectories and allowing for roll-out are also factors they are adjusting too.
Mentally, patience will be key all week to manage difficult conditions and capitalize on scoring chances between weather delays. Consistency in ball-striking and scrambling pars will be at a premium in determining the Champion Golfer of the Year.
Final Predictions
Given his stellar form and past Open record, Rory McIlroy seems poised to finally lift a major trophy again on a course he conquered before. But a host of other stars like Scheffler, Rahm, Thomas and rising talents like Young and Burns will push him.
If the weather cooperates, expect a winning score around -15 to -18. But if coastal gales sweep the course, hanging on shot-by-shot and posting a number near -10 could be enough to put your name on the Claret Jug.
No matter who prevails, the 2023 Open Championship will undoubtedly provide lasting memories and define the Champion Golfer of the Year when it comes down to the back nine on Sunday. The stars have aligned for a truly spectacular tournament this year at Hoylake!
The 2023 Open field is set for dramatic storylines. Share your thoughts on who prevails after reading our breakdown of the contenders at Royal Liverpool.
