Title: Defending champion Cameron Smith seeks historic repeat at the 2023 Open Championship
The world’s top golfers are gearing up for the highly anticipated 2023 Open Championship, set to take place at the iconic Royal Liverpool Golf Club from Thursday, July 20. With numerous contenders vying for the prestigious title, all eyes are on defending champion Cameron Smith as he aims to become the first repeat winner since Padraig Harrington achieved the feat in 2007-08.
Smith, who triumphed in the previous edition, is priced at 15-1 to secure another victory according to the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook. However, he faces stiff competition from Rory McIlroy, who is fresh off a win in the Scottish Open and is considered the favorite with odds of 21-4. Scottie Scheffler is also in the mix with odds of 15-2.
Before making any picks or entering PGA DFS tournaments, experts advise consulting the predictions and projected leaderboard from the renowned computer model at SportsLine. Developed by DFS pro Mike McClure, the model has been highly successful since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020, accumulating nearly $10,000 in winnings from its best bets.
McClure’s model has accurately predicted the winners of major tournaments, including Jon Rahm’s victories at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. It also correctly forecasted Rahm’s triumph at the 2023 Masters, securing its second consecutive Masters prediction after Scottie Scheffler’s win in 2022.
The model’s successes extend beyond major championships. For instance, it accurately identified Nick Taylor as a valuable contender in the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, resulting in a significant return for bettors. McClure’s model also picked Jason Day to win outright at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, despite the golfer’s lengthy drought since his last PGA Tour victory in 2018.
As the 2023 Open Championship field takes shape, SportsLine has simulated the tournament 10,000 times, providing surprising insights into the potential outcomes. Notably, the model predicts that Jordan Spieth, a three-time major champion, will struggle at Royal Liverpool and fail to break into the top 10. The 29-year-old has been plagued by recent struggles, missing the cut multiple times and struggling with accuracy off the tee.
On the other hand, the model identifies Collin Morikawa, a longshot with odds of 22-1, as a strong contender for the title. Morikawa, a two-time major champion, won the Open Championship in 2021 and recorded a second-place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. This makes him an attractive pick for bettors seeking a sizeable payout.
In addition to Morikawa, the model highlights three other golfers with odds of 25-1 or longer who are poised to exceed expectations. These underdogs have the potential to deliver substantial returns for those willing to take a chance.
With the 2023 Open Championship just around the corner, golf enthusiasts eagerly anticipate an exciting competition. To make informed bets and predictions, be sure to refer to the comprehensive analysis and leaderboard projections from SportsLine’s trusted model. Who will emerge victorious at the Open Championship 2023, and which dark horses will stun the golfing world? Only time will tell.