Ginger Joe picks out two juicy bets for the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
The Open ChampionshipSee All Odds
We may still be some way out from the 154th Open Championship, but there are two players who need backing right now. At the end of the day, we’re hunting value, and this is exactly the kind of opportunity you have to take early. Throughout the golf season there are certain players who simply stand out as overpriced, and both of the selections I’m putting forward are very likely to be trading much shorter by the time the tournament tees off. Rather than wait and lose the edge, I’d rather secure the value now and have them in the book well in advance. I’ll be taking the same proactive approach with the other three Majors as well, so stay tuned here on Oddschecker.
Tip 1: RORY MCILROY - 3pt win
Best odds of 10/1 at SpreadEx and Sporting Index while publishing.
I have often been one to take on Rory McIlroy in the Majors, but at 10/1 with two firms, he has to be backed now for the Open Championship. It takes place at Royal Birkdale which is a course he should be able to manage well, and with his long game seemingly getting better and better, he has to be considered.
Rory got back into the Major winning circle last season by completing the Grand Slam and winning the Masters at Augusta, and I am quite confident that he will have a good season in 2026. Apart from his obvious talent, from a market perspective, he needs to be backed now.
The 10/1 is a big price if you can get on, and you can be sure that he will go off shorter than 5/1 come the week of the event. I am happy to take a piece now. Boylesports go 9/1, and there is plenty of 8/1 about too, but if you can get that 10/1 with Sporting Index or Spread Ex, it will be worth some serious gold on Open week.
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Tip 2: TOMMY FLEETWOOD - 4pt win
Best odds of 20/1 at BetMGM UK while publishing.
Tommy Fleetwood is another who is dangerously overpriced for the Open Championship this season. He was nothing short of spectacular towards the back end of last season and he won the Tour Championship in fine style with scores of 64, 63, 67 and 68 posting 18 under par.
Tommy is a player destined to win an Open Championship in his career, and it’s more than possible that this year’s venue could be the one for him. The event takes place at Royal Birkdale, a course Tommy Fleetwood grew up playing, and a course that he only lives a couple of miles from. His game has been excellent from tee to green in most seasons, but it took yet another step forward last year, and he looks to be improving all of the time.
His putting was often his weak link, but he has been dynamite with the short stick this season, and he will be another player going off much shorter on the week. The world number 4 is being overlooked at 20/1. Again, if you can only get 18/1, I still see this as plenty of value.
