The British Open: How to Bet, Tips, Odds and Betting Markets

The first British Open took place at Prestwick in Scotland. The winner was crowned 'The Champion Golfer of the Year' - a title that remains in use today. Prestwick hosted the first 10 Open tournaments before the tournament moved around Scotland and then to English courses. Today, The Old Course in St Andrews is the most regular host of this tournament.

Willie Park Sr. won the first Open in 1860. The Scottish golfers won 29 of the 29 tournaments in the 19th century. English golf won 16 of 21 championships between 1894 and 1914. After the First World War, there was a wave of specific national success in golf. There were only two US winners between 1934 and 1961. Arnold Palmer revitalized the championship with his triumph in 1961 and American golf became more popular. Between 1970 and 1983 Americans won all but one Open. In the 21st century, Tiger Woods has won three times and Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington twice.

The British Open is played all over Great Britain and Ireland. The Old Course at St Andrew's is no longer in use, but the championship visits Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, and Turnberry in Scotland, St George’s, Liverpool, Birkdale, Lytham & St Anne”s in England, and Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, among others.

The full field of 156 players is made up of roughly half who qualify by right and half of who earn their place. Exempt are previous winners under 60, winners of elite tournaments and select amateur events in the previous 12 months, top finishers in previous championship and players high in world rankings. Qualifying starts with Local Qualification and ends with Final Qualified shortly before the tournament.