The Englishman is now as short as 16/1 to win his first major at his home course in a few weeks time.
It has been quite the ten months in the golfing career of Tommy Fleetwood. Ranked 188th last September, the long-haired Englishman has been one of the most consistent players on the European Tour since and fifteen top 20 finishes (in twenty-two tour appearances) later he is now ranked 15th in the World.
The 26-year-old is currently in the form of his life and his odds for the Open Championship have been systematically tumbling since the turn of the year. A 200/1 shot, Fleetwood won his first tournament of 2017 in Abu Dhabi and was cut to 125/1. He then finished 2nd by a shot to DJ in the WGC Mexico in March and his odds shortened once again to 100/1.
A fourth place finish in the US Open was a game changer and his odds were slashed to a best price of 40/1. A flawless final round of 66 in the Open de France yesterday secured him his second title of the season and the bookies reacted once more. He is now as short as 16/1 for the Open with 25/1 the best price available.
Not only is his form extremely encouraging, but the Open Championship this year is going to be played at his home course, Royal Birkdale. He grew up just a few miles from the golf club in Southport and will have been targeting the tournament since the venue was announced. It is easy to see why he has been such an extremely popular bet.
In the last 24 hours, 26.2% of bets on the Open have been on Fleetwood. Even when you look at the betting since the US Open, he accounts for 15.3% of bets. This share of bets dwarfs the next most backed. Dustin Johnson accounts for just 6%, Rickie Fowler 4.5%, Brooks Koepka 3.6% and Sergio Garcia 3.3%.
