150th Open Championship betting
With the final major of the year beginning on Thursday, the world of golf has assembled on the East coast of Scotland in Fife as St. Andrews hosts the 150th Open Championship.
In its anniversary edition, the Old Course welcomes the Open for the 30th time when it was last won in 2015 by Zach Johnson. As the last seven majors have seen a different winner and given the unpredictable nature of links golf, the 2022 chapter may be no different.
As we seek out the best value in the markets, once again SkyBet is offering the most places of all bookies, this year at a full 14 places – albeit at a slightly shortened price – with Betfair, PaddyPower and Betway holding 12 places at a fifth.
So who might claim the Claret Jug on Sunday evening at the Home of Golf?
*bets with SkyBet at 14 places unless stated
The overwhelming favourite on the eve of the tournament is one Rory McIlroy. Still without a major since 2014, it was in that same year eight year ago the Northern Irishman won The Open at Hoylake. With top eight finishes at Augusta, Southern Hills and Brookline in majors this season, McIlroy has returned to his best form this term and with the Canadian Open still in his possession, having also finished third in his only previous Open appearance here, has the Briton timed his return to St. Andrews to perfection? An 8/1 shot, McIlroywould be a popular winner at home.
His main rival could come in the shape of the red-hot Xander Schauffele. A winner of the Genesis Scottish Open at Renaissance last week, the Californian has now won three PGA Tour events since April and his win at the Travelers was composed. With a first links win under his belt, a player who finished runner up in 2018, Schauffele is the pick for many at St. Andrews and though short in price, 12/1 still could be worth a decent lay.
The charge from his fellow Americans will of course be strong. Scottie Scheffler remains world number one but after his missing the cut in North Berwick, the Masters champion’s 14/1 does not appear attractive. Conversely, the same price as Schauffele, Jordan Spieth looks primed for an assault on the Claret Jug after his win at Royal Birkdale five years ago. Runner-up at Royal St. George’s last year, the Texan should be a big player this weekend. The man who beat him at Sandwich 12 months ago, Collin Morikawa, will be in no mood to relinquish his hold on the trophy and at 22/1 may yet look a long price come Sunday.
Justin Thomas also should be assessed at a pretty lofty 16/1for this year’s PGA champion and two other US players who are seeing interest are the three-time winner on Tour this season in Sam Burns and Tony Finau, the latter who has finished T9 or better in two of his last three Opens. Both men are available at 30/1.
Jon Rahm is set to again front the European drive and is also at 12s for a player who looks tailor made to win an Open. Australian Cam Smith’s form has dipped alarmingly as the season has rolled on but has the game to challenge the Fife links this week at 18/1 – having shortened from 20s on Wednesday. Chile’s Joaquin Niemann will likely front the South American threat meanwhile, and the winner at Genesis back in February is also worthy of consideration at 33s.
In a season that has seen a number of new names emerge, the battle for the Silver Medal and Leading Amateur this year will be hotly contested. Currently, Irishman Seamus Power is the pick at 9/1 with QuinnBet, however, US duo Cameron Youngand Jordan Smith have impressed on the PGA Tour of late and the latter is holding firm for 12/1 with BoyleSports and Bet365.
Finally, we like our specials here at BestofBets and taking a glance of the boosts around the markets, SkyBet are currently running Fitzpatrick to win at 16/1 for 14 places, with McIlroy to lead after Round 1 at 22/1 – McIlroy carded a 63 to lead after 18 holes in 2010.
PaddyPower meanwhile, have either Schauffele or Spieth to win at 13/2, whilst for a potentially labouring Woods to make the cut, Bet365’s even punt could be a toss-up but looks decent.
