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5 dark horses who could upset and win The Open Championship 2018

By Cody Williams

The open flag flying on day one of The Open Championship 2018 at Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images)
The open flag flying on day one of The Open Championship 2018 at Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images) /
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CROMWELL, CT – JUNE 23: Zach Johnson of the United States on the first tee during the Third Round of the Travelers Championship on June 23, 2018, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CROMWELL, CT – JUNE 23: Zach Johnson of the United States on the first tee during the Third Round of the Travelers Championship on June 23, 2018, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Zach Johnson (+8000)

Considering that Zach Johnson was a winner at The Open Championship just three years ago, capturing the victory at St. Andrews (also in Scotland), you might think it odd to call him a dark horse coming into the 2018 event at Carnoustie. However, when you look at the odds, +8000 is the worst number that’s going to appear on this list of five players. Thus, he’s definitely a dark horse. And really, despite being a two-time major winner, Johnson has spent much of his career playing like a dark horse.

Ever the steady player, Johnson has been quite impressive throughout the year to this point. He’s missed only one cut in 16 starts — shockingly at the Fort Worth Invitational in May, but has registered two top-10 finishes to this point. Perhaps speaking better of his success, particularly recently, Johnson has six finishes inside the top 30 out of his last 11 appearances, including three-straight inside the top 20 coming into the British Open.

More importantly, Johnson has traditionally been rock-solid when it comes to The Open. In addition to his win in 2015, Johnson has two other top-10 finishes (2012, 2013) and three additional finishes in the top 20. The steady and skillful style of play with great putting that Johnson plays with is suited for the trials that this tournament throws at players. As such, when you look at his track record in this major and of late, it’s hard not to think these are great odds for Johnson to make a dark horse run.

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