Open Championship: 5 international sleepers could steal the Claret Jug

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

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TROON, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: David Horsey of England shelters from the rain on the 1st green during Day Three of the AAM Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Golf Course on July 15, 2017 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

After a slow start to 2017, Horsey’s season come along nicely. He’s made six straight cuts, including two top-10s in the process. He hasn’t contended in the bigger events he’s played, but he’s made the weekend at the BMW PGA Championship, Irish Open and Scottish Open featuring above average European Tour fields.

As far as the Open goes, things come full circle for Horsey as his first and only other Open start was as a rookie in 2008 at Royal Birkdale. He tied for 67th and was T16th going to the weekend.

Horsey should be fired up to be back in his native England. On top of that, he’ll be ready. This is remarkably his first major start since the 2011 PGA Championship.

Since the fall of 2011, Horsey’s won twice on the European Tour and has kept his card every year but somehow has missed out on every major always skating outside the world top 50 or 100.

On links courses, Horsey was one bad round (a Saturday 78) from a top-25 finish or better at the Irish Open. He’s also 5-for-9 on cuts made at the Scottish Open.

Horsey is not long off the tee, but can putt well and is used to competing in adverse conditions. If he can avoid a clunker of a round, he’s in line to finish highly.

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