The Open: Last-minute betting tips

Only hours remain until the first balls get hit in The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool.

The world’s best golfers have done all of their prep. Now, comes the serious business of trying to win the Claret Jug and becoming the latest ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’.

Of course, for many, the final men’s major of the year is an exciting opportunity to try and win some money.

If that sounds like you, there are a few things to note.

Always gamble responsibly.

When the fun stops, stop,

Don’t bet more than you can afford.

All good? Excellent. So, here are some players you might want to consider putting some money on, with odds provided by our friends at Betway…

The favourites

Scottie Scheffler – 6/1 

The world No.1 is, without question, the hottest player on the planet right now. He has finished inside the top-12 in each of his last 19 events – a run that began at the Worldwide Technology Championship at Mayakoba last November! He’s making his third Open start this week, having tied for eighth on his debut in 2021, which he followed with a T21 at St Andrews last year.

Rory McIlroy – 15/2 

The four-time major champion comes into The Open off the back of a confidence-boosting win in the Genesis Scottish Open last Sunday. The winner the last time the championship visited Royal Liverpool in 2014, the Irishman is in irresistible form off the tee just now – he’s first in driving distance and second in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee – but his prospects will likely hinge on how well he putts. He’s currently 89th un Strokes Gained: Putting on the PGA Tour.

Cameron Smith – 18/1 

Nobody has successfully defended The Open since Padraig Harrington at Royal Birkdale in 2008. Smith looks like a prime candidate to emulate that this week. A supreme ball-striking who is is one of the best – if not the best – putters in the game, the Aussie comes into the week high on confidence after his win at Liv Golf London a few weeks ago.

The each-way bets

Tony Finau – 40/1  

The darling of the each-way gambler, Finau has a decent Open record, headlined by a third-place finish at Royal Portrush in 2019. If the forecasted rain over the weekend does indeed roll in, the course will play longer deep into the tournament, which will suit longer-hitters like Finau. Nobody on the PGA Tour scrambles better from the fringe this year than him, whilst he eats up par-5s for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t sleep on the man from Utah.

Justin Rose – 45/1 

The last Englishman to win The Open on English soil was Tony Jacklin in 1969. Rose likes the sound of that. No Englishman had won the US Open since Jacklin in 1970 until Rose did so in 2013. Back playing some of his best golf in years, he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier in the year and has an extremely good Open record. One to keep a close eye on.

Russell Henley – 75/1

Four times a winner on the PGA Tour, Henley doesn’t exactly have the greatest major record. One top-10 finish in 35 starts isn’t exactly much to shout about. However, that came earlier this year at The Masters. A phenomenal putter, he comes into the week with some decent form, too (four top-20 finishes in his last five starts). Don’t be surprised if he cracks the money places this week.

The long shot

Padraig Harrington – 110/1 

Don’t laugh. There’s some serious value to be had from the two-time Open champion this week. Currently in the midst of a purple patch so vivid that many are tipping him to make the European Ryder Cup team, Harrington has been in an exceptionally relaxed mood all week, laughing and joking with spectators. Few in the field have his links chops.

* All odds correct at the time of publishing. For up-to-date odds, visit the Betway website. 

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