Royal St Georges Open Championship betting guide

The 149th Open Championship at Royal St Georges presents a complex betting landscape where links experience, weather and recent form all shape market prices and punter strategy.

How weather and links conditions influence odds

Wind, rain and course firmness can move markets quickly at links events because playing conditions affect scoring patterns more than at parkland venues, and bookmakers react to visible shifts in the leaderboard and forecasts.

Expect early markets to reflect reputations and form lines, while in-play and leading-up adjustments will price in forecasted wind and soft ground, creating short-term value for those who monitor weather updates and tee times.

After a 24-month wait, the cream of golf return to home shores this week for the 149 th Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in Kent.

As Shane Lowry defends the Claret Jug he won at Royal Portrush in 2019, this will be the first time since 2011 the Open has taken place in the south of England.

So, who do the bookies fancy this weekend?

Smart money on Rahm

The undoubted favourite is World number one and US Open champion, Jon Rahm.

Bringing his wait for a major to an end last month at Torrey Pines, the Spaniard’s game is perfectly
suited to the Links of Royal St. Georges and with soft conditions and good weather expected, Rahm
is 17/2 with SportNation, but currently drifting.

Brooks Koepka meanwhile, looks in strong shape again, to win his fifth major. Having featured in both the PGA and US Open prominently this year, Koepka came home T4 in the Open two years back.

Still fetching 18/1 odds with MansionBet, William Hill and Bet365 though, the Floridian is approaching his best again and is worth a look.

As is Louis Oosthuizen, after finishing runner-up to Rahm at Torrey Pines. Returning to The Open as a previous winner – albeit over a decade ago – the South African has been one of the most consistent players around this season and with Bet365 offering a top-five at 13/2, some may also fancy his still encouraging price of 35/1 outright, with BetVictor.

Brit picks

For British fans and punters alike, the return of The Open needs a home horse to back so to speak,
and the best two nominees currently look like Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick – the latter of
whom lost in a playoff at the Aberdeen Scottish Open last weekend. Westwood in the same competition meanwhile, rather faded, but will have huge home support from the galleries in Kent.

If you’re keen to back either Englishman on home soil, MansionBet will give you 45/1 and 40/1 odds
respectively.

Assessing the favourites: Rahm Koepka Oosthuizen form

When evaluating the market leaders, weigh recent major performances, links history and short-term rhythm, because a player peaking during the majors often outperforms headline statistics over a single week.

Rahm’s major win and ball-striking metrics give him profile in the market, Koepka’s championship temperament and big-event scoring are attractive, and Oosthuizen’s proven Open form plus recent high finishes merit respect where top-five and each-way markets offer alternatives.

British contenders to consider with home advantage

Home support and course familiarity can matter at The Open, but British players should be assessed for form and tee-to-green suitability rather than nationality alone, since links golf rewards shot-making and local knowledge more than crowd backing.

Matt Fitzpatrick’s recent form and Lee Westwood’s experience at Royal courses make them credible selections in futures and top-20/top-10 markets for bettors seeking to back a domestic contender without overpaying on the outright market.

Markets to watch: outright each-way and top-five bets

Outright markets provide headline interest but are dominated by the favourites, so many bettors look for value in each-way terms, top-five/top-ten specials and head-to-head pairings where variance between bookmakers can be exploited.

Each-way terms differ by firm and event, and some bookmakers offer expanded top-five or top-ten markets for majors; compare places and fractions across firms to calculate true value before staking, and factor in potential tie-breaker rules for place payouts.

Finding value: odds movement and bookmaker variance

Odds move for many reasons: early specialist money, high-profile bets, weather forecasts, and press reports on course practice rounds, and savvy bettors monitor multiple firms to spot divergence and take advantage where markets lag.

Bookmakers listed in the market include Bet365, William Hill, MansionBet, BetVictor and SportNation, and small differences in price can matter when applying disciplined staking across multiple markets.

Course notes: Royal St Georges key holes and setup

Royal St Georges is a true links with tight fairways, deep bunkers and variable greens, so holes that test ball-striking and recovery play often decide the leaderboard, and tee position and pin placements can swing scoring quickly during a round.

Players who can shape the ball both ways, control trajectory into fairway bunkers and read subtle green breaks typically perform better than pure distance players when links winds and firm run-offs come into play.

Weather forecast impact on scoring and strategy

Forecasted wind and rain will change the optimal strategy, with softer conditions reducing run and potentially making pins more attackable, while strong winds amplify the value of course management and experience in difficult scoring conditions.

Watching the daily forecast and live wind readings at different tees can inform staking adjustments and in-play opportunities for bettors who prefer to wait until tee-off or during early rounds before committing to larger stakes.

Responsible staking and bankroll guidelines for bettors

Bettors should set a clear budget, stake a consistent percentage of their bankroll per selection and never chase losses, because sustainable staking preserves the ability to take advantage of genuine value when it appears.

If you choose to bet, remember this site is for readers aged 18 and over and encourage responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion where needed; betting should be entertainment, not a way to resolve financial issues.

Comparing bookmaker offers and account selection tips

Different bookmakers will offer varying odds, each-way terms and promotions around The Open, so opening accounts with several reputable firms and checking price comparison tools can reveal the best available terms for a given market.

When weighing offers, read terms and conditions carefully for bet restrictions and promotional wagering requirements, and prefer bookmakers with clear rules, competitive place terms for majors and responsive customer support.

Practical approach to in-play and ante-post betting

Ante-post betting offers higher odds but carries the risk of void stakes or non-runners, whereas in-play provides opportunities to react to form and leaderboard dynamics, so balance exposure according to your appetite for risk and liquidity of markets.

For majors, consider a mixed approach: modest ante-post stakes on perceived value, with smaller in-play stakes to hedge or exploit momentum shifts while maintaining disciplined bankroll controls.

Ethical and legal considerations for UK bettors

All readers must be 18 or over to participate in betting and should use licensed UK bookmakers that comply with UK Gambling Commission regulations to ensure consumer protections and fair play standards.

If gambling stops being enjoyable, seek help from support services and consider using responsible gambling tools provided by operators, because informed, controlled betting is central to long-term welfare and enjoyment.

How to monitor odds and set alerts for value lines

Use odds comparison websites, bookmaker apps and price-alert features to track movement on favourites and longer-priced contenders, and consider setting thresholds for automatic notifications so you can act quickly when value appears.

Keep a simple record of selections and outcomes to build a personal data set on what worked across links conditions and market types, helping you refine selection criteria over future events without relying on emotional or impulsive decisions.

Comparing offers without pressure: use comparison tools responsibly

You can explore current bookmaker offers through our comparison tools if you choose to bet responsibly, ensuring you consider terms rather than headline odds alone and that you stick to a pre-defined staking plan.

Affiliate links may be used on our comparison pages to support the site, and these are clearly marked so you can make an informed choice without pressure or urgency to act.

Frequently asked questions about betting at The Open

Is Jon Rahm still the clear favourite this week?

Rahm is market favourite due to recent major form and his all-around game, but favourites face pressure from links specialists and weather variability; assess odds relative to expected conditions before placing stakes.

What markets offer the best value at The Open?

Value often appears in each-way, top-five/top-ten and head-to-head markets where bookmakers apply different place terms; compare firm-by-firm and focus on selections with credible links records and recent form.

How should I approach each-way bets at links events?

Check each-way terms carefully, favour bookmakers that offer more place payouts for majors, and size stakes so that potential place returns justify the lower outright chance, avoiding emotional over-backing of favourites.

Does weather alter bookmaker odds and payouts?

Yes, forecasts can move markets significantly because wind and rain change scoring expectations; bookmakers adjust prices in response to weather updates, practice reports and visible round-by-round scoring.

Are British players more likely to outperform at home?

Home advantage can help through course familiarity and support, but evaluate individual suitability for links golf and current form instead of backing solely on nationality, and remain disciplined with stakes.

How to compare bookmaker odds and promotions safely?

Use licensed comparison tools, read the full terms and conditions of promotions, and avoid accepting offers that require unsustainable wagering; always gamble responsibly and only with funds you can afford to lose.

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