Open Championship tips: Three picks at 70/1 and above

The 151st Open Championship, at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club this week, promises to be a thrilling spectacle in the battle for the coveted Claret Jug.

It was in 2014 that the Merseyside venue last hosted the tournament, which Rory McIlroy won, and the Northern Irishman heads into the final major of the season in fine form after his victory last weekend in the Scottish Open.

The world No 2 is the 7/1 favourite to claim the spoils for the second week running, although he has 15/2 Scottie Scheffler and 12/1 Jon Rahm hot on his heels in the betting.

A total of 156 players will be teeing off over the first two rounds at Hoylake and strong cases can be made for a number of competitors.

The Open Championship golf betting tips

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change

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Aussie to add second major

After some tough years both on and off the course, Jason Day ended a near five-year wait for a 13th PGA Tour title in May when winning the AT&T Byron Nelson by one stroke from Austin Eckroat and Kim Si-woo.

The 35-year-old missed his next three cuts after that victory, which is understandable given how hard he has worked to get back to the winner’s circle, and he produced a solid T45 at the Travelers Championship on his latest outing.

Day has kept his workload low heading into the Open and his strong tee-to-green game, which has him ranked 22nd in strokes gained on the PGA Tour this season, should help him put in a strong challenge.

The Australian is also one of the best drivers around, ranking ninth in total driving (driving and accuracy), while his superb short-game skills are another feather in his cap.

Tip: Outright winner – Jason Day @ 80/1 with Sky Bet

American in superb form

Talor Gooch has been the man of the moment in the LIV Golf League this season, claiming victories in Adelaide, Singapore and Andalusia to establish himself as one of the most feared players on that tour.

The 31-year-old appears to be in the best form of his career and his confidence could not be any higher heading into the Open, a tournament he has finished T33 and T34 in on his two previous appearances.

Given that he plays in the LIV Golf League, Gooch is heading into the final major of the season somewhat under the radar and he looks a big price at 70/1 to lift the Claret Jug for the first time.

Tip: Outright winner – Talor Gooch @ 70/1 with Sky Bet

Canadian to break major duck

It has not happened for Corey Conners in the majors yet but he has shown strong form in the big four events, most notably the Masters, as he has recorded top-10 finishes from 2020 to 2022.

Although clearly favouring Augusta National, the Canadian is more than capable of performing on a links course and his previous two Open finishes read T15-T28 in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Conners landed the Texas Open title for the second time in April this year, holding off Sam Stevens by a stroke, and he heads to Hoylake on the back of a positive tied-19th at the Scottish Open.

The 31-year-old is ranked in the top 15 for both strokes gained: off-the-tee and approach-the-green on the PGA Tour this season, while he is also fifth in greens in regulation and 40th in total driving.

Priced at 80/1, Conners can make a bold challenge for his maiden major this week.

Tip: Outright winner – Corey Conners @ 80/1 with Sky Bet