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July 19 (UPI) — In what is anticipated to be an exciting event, Rory McIlroy is considered the favorite to win the 2023 Open Championship, also known as the British Open, and put an end to a drought of major titles that has lasted for 9 years. The prestigious tournament will take place from Thursday to Sunday at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.
The winner of this renowned golf championship will receive an impressive first-place prize of $3 million, setting a new record for the tournament.
Coverage of the final major of the golf season will be broadcasted on USA Network and NBC.
A highly competitive field of 156 players will be participating, including 15 former champions and 49 of the Top-50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Among the notable competitors are Rory McIlroy, currently ranked No. 2, who has not won a major title since his victory at the Open Championship in 2014, the last time it was held at Royal Liverpool.
Other expected contenders include Scottie Scheffler (No. 1), Jon Rahm (No. 3), Brooks Koepka (No. 12), and Cameron Smith (No. 7), the defending champion.
“Regardless of the outcome, this championship promises to be a remarkable display of talent,” said Rahm, the 2023 Masters winner, during a press conference on Tuesday. “I’m thrilled for it to begin. It would be absolutely incredible to emerge victorious on Sunday.”
No. 22 Rickie Fowler, No. 5 Viktor Hovland, No. 4 Patrick Cantlay, No. 13 Tyrrell Hatton, and No. 6 Xander Schauffele are also among the top favorites in the tournament.
After the second round, the golfers with the best 70 scores and ties will advance and have the opportunity to win a portion of the impressive $16.5 million prize purse.
Schauffele (29), Hovland (23), and Scheffler (21) currently hold the PGA Tour record for the most consecutive cuts made. The Open Championship is an official event on the PGA Tour, European Tour, and the Japan Golf Tour.
Scheffler is the only player to have secured a Top 10 finish in each major tournament this season. He placed second at the PGA Championship, third at the U.S. Open, and tied for 10th at the Masters.
McIlroy is one of five players in the field who achieved Top 10 finishes in two out of the three majors this season.
The four-time major champion placed seventh at the PGA Championship, second at the U.S. Open last month, and emerged victorious at the Scottish Open last week.
Schauffele (68.4), Rahm (68.7), and McIlroy (68.9) currently lead the PGA Tour in scoring per 18 holes, posting scores three strokes better than the Tour average (71.1). McIlroy also holds the Tour record for the longest average drive, with an impressive distance of 327.6 yards. Scheffler boasts a tour-best 73.9% greens in regulation this season.
However, the top golfers have noted that the 7,383-yard course at Royal Liverpool does not particularly favor those who can hit the longest drives. This links-style course, built on sandy soil with fewer trees, is often more exposed to wind, making lower tee shots and precise putting crucial for securing better scores.
Throughout the tournament, rain is expected, and temperatures are projected to be in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit, with wind speeds potentially reaching 15 mph.
“It will be a great test this week,” said Koepka, the winner of the 2023 PGA Championship. “The course is set up quite well. In links golf, it’s all about avoiding the bunkers, positioning yourself strategically, and playing smart. Ultimately, it comes down to making putts.
“I believe it’s a fantastic golf course. I don’t think having a long drive will give players a significant advantage here.”
The first group consisting of Matthew Jordan, Richie Ramsay, and Braden Grace will tee off at 1:35 a.m. EDT on Thursday at Royal Liverpool. McIlroy, Rahm, and Justin Rose will share a group, beginning their round at 9:59 a.m.
Schauffele, Smith, and Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, will also form a group and tee off at 4:58 a.m.
“With links golf, a lot depends on the weather and what you can or cannot do on the golf course, especially a course like this,” Rahm explained. “In the last two Opens, the scores have been relatively low… but you still have to make birdies.
“It’s about being able to choose your shots wisely and playing your best golf. It requires a certain level of control over your thoughts and actions.”
Open Championship Schedule (All times EDT)
Thursday
First round coverage from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. on USA Network
Friday
Second round coverage from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. on USA Network
Saturday
Third round coverage from 5 to 7 a.m. on USA Network and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on NBC
Sunday
Final round coverage from 4 to 7 a.m. on USA Network and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on NBC
