The Open 2023: Tony Jacklin picks his favorite and reveals what it takes to be an Open Champion

Tony Jacklin talks ahead of the 2023 Open.

Speaking exclusively to BoyleSports, The Open winner in 1969 Tony Jacklin has revealed what it takes to be a champion on the links courses and who he thinks will be lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday.

The final men’s major of 2023 is here and ahead of the action at Hoylake the 1969 Open winner Tony Jacklin told BoyleSports, who offer golf odds for The Open, that Irishman Shane Lowry will be one to watch out for thanks to his skills in tough conditions.

“Links golf is tough and having the ability to adjust to an Open golf course and the dangers it presents is what makes an Open Champion,” explains Jacklin. “Deep pot bunkers, thick rough, slick greens, with winds sweeping across the golf course.

“Links golf is dealing with the unexpected and that starts not just from bad bounces, nobody is going to get through the week on a links golf course where the fairways are humpty dumpty, good shots don’t always get rewarded so you have to approach it with a mentality as well as a determination that doesn’t deter you. 

“It’s no good getting angry over a bad bounce, everyone is going to get a bad bounce. You have to just accept things and adjust.

“We saw Tiger one year at Sandwich where he had a five-hole lead then the wind blew his chances away and that can happen in links golf.” 

Tony Jacklin’s favorite for the week is Rory McIlroy, who won last week’s Genesis Scottish Open. The question is whether he can he do it back-to-back, though Jacklin believes a lot will hinge on whether he can deal with the added weight of expectation.

“There are definitely some big names that will miss the cut, especially if we’re forecast to have bad weather. If I had to stick my neck out I would say Rory will win but I’ve been playing The Open Championship since 1963 and I’ve seen so much in terms of the thrill of victory and agony of defeat, I’ve experienced both sides. 

“To see him get it done last week and if he comes into this weekend with the same sort of demeanor, his game is incredible and he’s probably the best driver of the ball in the world but he might not use the driver all the time, Tiger didn’t years ago when he won. 

“He has done a hell of a job separating his opinions from his personal game. He’s been pretty outspoken and has not let it affect his game. He’s shouldered a lot over the last few years and he’s dealt with it all very well.”

A master of tough conditions having grown up in Ireland, Shane Lowry is another who is highly fancied by Jacklin, who expects him to contend again three years after his first major victory.

“Shane is a good player. He won everyone’s hearts when he won at Portrush. He is a tremendous putter and he’s easy-going. He played well for a while last week but he didn’t quite take it down the stretch, but he makes a lot of putts and he has the ability to get it done. 

“He was brought up in Ireland, he’s not used to playing golf in 95-degree heat, he’s more used to playing in gails. Pre-tournament he would be in my top 20 this weekend but until the first round is complete it’s very hard to predict because they are jockeying for positions early on and you’ll see several players digging in and that’s what it’s about.”

Like many of us, Jacklin is hopeful that an Englishman can rise to stardom come Sunday. Tommy Fleetwood, in particular, is highly fancied this week and Jacklin is of the opinion that home comforts may well give him the boost he needs after a few near misses in America this season.

“I think Tommy Fleetwood has been playing some good golf on the PGA tour in America and he’s been around for quite some time. He hasn’t won a tournament over there yet but he’s threatened and I thought coming back this year for The Open in his home territory might inspire him. 

“He has a well-rounded game. He’s a good driver, a good iron player, and a good putter. In the modern game, the driving is key, plenty of players can hit the ball miles, and ultimately at the sharp end of it, the putting is key to all these top players, whoever cleans up on the greens generally gets it done.”

With such an impressive field of American players, it’s hard to predict which one, if any, may come out on top. Due to recent form and a win under his belt, Tony Jacklin believes Rickie Fowler has the best chance of following in the footsteps of US Open champion Wyndham Clark and joining the maiden major club.

“Rickie Fowler is going to have a lot of momentum coming into The Open. He’s reborn and has been to hell and back with his game in the last few years.

“Everybody around golf that knows golf loves Rickie Fowler and to see him win in Detroit, seeing him having to digest the win with his caddying coming over to give him a hug says a lot. He’s also a favorite amongst the British crowds. 

“You also have the likes of Jon Rahm who said earlier that he’s committed to the PGA Tour. He wants his future to be about competition and butting heads with the best players in the world in true competition.”

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Will Shreeve-Peacock
Golf Equipment Writer

Will Shreeve-Peacock is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.

He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years of experience working in golf retail with American Golf. Will was part of the sales and fitting team, making him the perfect man to review golf equipment.

Trained by a range of manufacturers, including Titleist and TaylorMade, to enhance his product knowledge, Will has all of the skills required to recommend the perfect equipment for amateur golfers.

Will started playing golf more than a decade ago at Thorney Lakes Golf Club, Cambridgeshire and is now a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire. His handicap index is 5.8, largely thanks to his scratch-standard short game.

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When he’s not testing golf shoes, he chooses to wear FootJoy Hyperflex or Under Armour Charged Phantom. He uses a Shotscope Pro L2 rangefinder, and his favorite training aid is the PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer and mat.

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