2013 Open Championship: 10 Young Players to Watch at Muirfield

The British Open Championship has been held on 15 different occasions at Muirfield Golf Club. The course seems to always identify the best players of the era. 

Harry Vardon, James Braid, Ted Ray, Walter Hagen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo and Ernie Els have all won Open Championships on this course.

Muirfield is not a place where fluke wins or youthful exuberance is tolerated. The winner will be required to have a full repertoire of golf shots in his bag and the patience to overcome bad bounces and difficult weather conditions.

Even though Muirfield does not look kindly on young golfers, here is a list of some of the age-challenged who may have what it takes to hoist the claret jug late Sunday evening. 

Billy Horschel Won in New Orleans

Billy Horschel is only 26 years old and won the 2013 Zurich Classic in New Orleans in April. 

This will only be his third start in a major championship, but he is coming off a tied-for-fourth finish at the U.S. Open at Merion Country Club.

In addition to his win, he has a runner-up and a third-place finish on the PGA Tour. He has seven top-10 finishes in his 18 starts on tour this year.

He plays with no fear and has every shot in the bag necessary to win on a difficult golf course like Muirfield.

Russell Henley Won His First PGA Tour Event

Russell Henley burst onto the PGA Tour with a win in his very first event as a PGA Tour member. He displayed a magnificent short game and putter in his win at the Sony Open in January.

He is only 24 years old and has had a very good rookie season on tour.

In addition to his win, he has two other top-10 finishes, has made 13 cuts and earned over $1.8 million. 

He is currently No. 16 in the FedEx Cup standings and No. 56 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Because good putters always have a chance, Russell Henley could be a factor in the 142nd Open Championship. 

Harris English Is One of the Young Stars on the PGA Tour

Harris English is a 23-year-old PGA Tour rookie who collected his first win on tour in 2013.

He has the unflappable, relaxed attitude of a Fred Couples and the all-around golf game necessary to score well at a course like Muirfield.

This will be his second major tournament start. He finished tied for 54th in the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

With a win on his resume and a solid golf game and calm demeanor, Harris English could snag a major victory at Muirfield.

Branden Grace Finished Runner-Up to Phil Mickelson at the Scottish Open

Branden Grace is only 25 years old and has already won four events in 2012 on the European Tour.

His confidence is at an all-time high right now, coming off a runner-up finish at the Scottish Open last week.

He shot a final-round 69 at Castle Stuart to tie Phil Mickelson and force a playoff.

Grace, from South Africa, is mentored by fellow countrymen Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, both former major winners.

South African Ernie Els is the defending Open champion and won the Open Championship in 2002 when it was last held at Muirfield.

There may yet be another South African that becomes the Champion Golfer of the Year.

Jason Day Always Plays Well in the Majors

Jason Day is having a very good year. He is just 25 years old but has been playing on the PGA Tour for eight years. 

He was third at the 2013 Masters and tied for runner-up at the U.S. Open at Merion Country Club.

He also finished runner-up in both the 2011 Masters and 2011 U.S. Open. He also had finished tied for 10th at the 2010 PGA Championship. 

He has five top-10 finishes in 2013 on the PGA Tour and has earned over $2.6 million. He is No. 10 in the FedEx Cup standings and No. 17 in the world.

Day is a big-game hunter with a very big game. He could find Muirfield to be just his cup of tea.

Thorbjorn Olesen Is Fearless

Thorbjorn Olesen is a 23-year-old from Denmark. He already has one European win at the 2012 Sicilian Open.

More importantly, he finished tied for ninth in the 2012 Open Championship and tied for 6th in this year's Masters.

He has a ton of game and will be a factor in golf tournaments around the world for years to come.

However, his attacking and fearless brand of golf may not suit him that well at Muirfield this week.

Shane Lowry Beat Rory McIlroy at WGC-Accenture

Shane Lowry, from Ireland, is only 26 years old and has two European Tour wins.

He won the 2009 Irish Open while still an amateur and the Portugal Masters last year.

His biggest moment came when he defeated his good buddy Rory McIlroy at the WGC-Accenture in February.

Lowry is currently ranked No. 45 in the Race to Dubai and No. 84 in the world rankings.

He has only played in three major championships thus far in his career. He finished tied for 37th in the 2010 Open Championship but missed the cut in both the 2010 PGA Championship and the 2011 U.S. Open.

He has a ton of game but probably needs more experience before he contends in an Open Championship.

Bernd Wiesberger Is Playing Well Right Now

Bernd Wiesberger from Austria is only 27 years old and has two European Tour wins.

Both came in 2012 at the Ballantine's Championship and the Lyoness Open.

He is currently No. 36 in the Race to Dubai and No. 58 in the world rankings.

Wiesberger has been playing at a high level. In his last five starts on the European Tour, he has two top-10 finishes and two top 15s.

Although he is a popular player in Europe, he probably does not have enough experience as of yet to contend in a major like the Open Championship.

Jordan Spieth Is One of the Hottest Players Right Now

Jordan Spieth just collected his first PGA Tour win at the John Deere Classic last week to punch his ticket into the Open Championship.

He also earned his PGA Tour membership, a two-year exemption and invitations to all of the big tournaments.

At just 19 years old, Spieth is the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in over 80 years.

Including his win last week at the John Deere, he had a runner-up finish at the Puerto Rico Open and has had four other top-10 finishes in his 16 starts on the PGA Tour this season. 

Spieth has been playing at a high level all season and could be a contender at Muirfield this week.

Rory McIlroy Is Due to Win

Although Rory McIlroy has not had his best season thus far, he still has a lot to smile about.

He has a pocket full of Nike's money, is ranked No. 2 in the world and has a beautiful professional athlete as his significant other.

He was runner-up at the Valero Texas Open, has four top-10 finishes in just 10 starts on the PGA Tour and has earned $1.4 million.

McIlroy has two major trophies on his mantle and would very much like to add a third leg to his career grand slam total.

He is only 24 years old and is a favorite every time he tees it up.

Don't be surprised if he drinks from the claret jug on Sunday.