2023 Open Championship: 5 Dark Horse picks who could win

2. Sahith Theegala (+15000)

Like the aforementioned Niemann, Sahith Theegala is another talented young player who could surprise on the big stage. Theegala made his Open Championship debut last year at St. Andrews and finished T34.

Theegala narrowly missed the cut at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, but prior to that hadn’t missed a cut since the Sanderson Farms Championship last Autumn. Sahith finished 9th at the Masters in April and was T27 at last month’s U.S. Open.

The 25-year-old is somewhat erratic off the tee but if he can improve in that department at Royal Liverpool and blend that with his usually excellent approach play, Sahith certainly has the talent to surprise.

1. Robert MacIntyre (+8000)

Replicating last week’s phenomenal performance in a stacked field at the Genesis Scottish Open may be a big ask of the talented young Scot, but if he can get past the heartbreak of narrowly missing out in his home country, MacIntyre can certainly contend again.

Robert (aka Bob) clearly has a penchant for links courses. In three Open Championship appearances, Bob has results of T34, T8, and T6. Not to mention, finishes of T22 and T20 in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in recent years.

At this rate, the 26-year-old Scotsman won’t be considered a dark horse for much longer. MacIntyre is trending in the right direction heading into the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool with finishes of T18, T39, T4, and last week’s second-place finish in Scotland.

Bob’s recent form and links form throughout his career is too hard to ignore regardless of how last week finished. MacIntyre could be trending toward a big win and he is certainly a potential dark horse winner at the 2023 Open Championship.