Crossword Genius

Loudly force open the loot (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prize

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the loot' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'loudly force' is the wordplay.
'loudly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue (when spoken - not silently).
'force' becomes 'prise' (as in forcing or prising something open).
'prise' sounds like 'PRIZE'.

'open' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prize that I've seen before include "Token of victory" , "Reward for having won a contest" , "Reward won in competition" , "See 24 Down" , "See 5 Down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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