The oldest and most prestigious tournament in professional golf is back on the slate with the world’s best players vying for the Claret Jug in the 149th playing of The Open Championship. Fresh off his first career major victory when he closed as the betting favorite at the U.S. Open, Jon Rahm again tops the odds board, though the competition will be stiff. Rahm is one of four major winners from this ‘Super Season’ pegging it up at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Kent, England as the field gets the full links experience after the tournament was canceled last year due to COVID. The marquee events in pro golf bring out an abundance of wagering options and tournament matchups are loaded with all but one of the world’s top-50 golfers in attendance. Below is a sampling of some matchup odds with a full list available at BookMaker.eu when you’re ready to place a wager.
The Open Championship Matchup Odds
Jon Rahm -184 vs. Rory McIlroy +146
Jon Rahm -206 vs. Dustin Johnson +162
Jon Rahm -186 vs. Justin Thomas +147
Dustin Johnson -107 vs. Brooks Koepka -123
Justin Thomas +106 vs. Xander Schauffele -136
Justin Thomas -135 vs. Jordan Spieth +105
Xander Schauffele -167 vs. Jordan Spieth +133
Viktor Hovland +101 vs. Louis Oosthuizen -131
Collin Morikawa -103 vs. Patrick Cantlay -127
Tyrrell Hatton -144 vs. Tommy Fleetwood +114
Viktor Hovland +114 vs. Tyrrell Hatton -144
Louis Oosthuizen -137 vs. Tommy Fleetwood +107
Patrick Cantlay +102 vs. Patrick Reed -132
Shane Lowry +121 vs. Matthew Fitzpatrick -152
Shane Lowry +104 vs. Paul Casey -134
Lee Westwood +110 vs. Justin Rose -140
Patrick Reed -179 vs. Scottie Scheffler +142
Webb Simpson -152 vs. Cameron Smith +121
Paul Casey -105 vs. Matthew Fitzpatrick -125
Justin Rose -127 vs. Sergio Garcia -103
Daniel Berger -155 vs. Joaquin Niemann +124
Marc Leishman +117 vs. Sergio Garcia -147
Webb Simpson -165 vs. Will Zalatoris +131
Garrick Higgo +127 vs. Christiaan Bezuidenhout -159
Abraham Ancer -133 vs. Joaquin Niemann +103
Harris English -132 vs. Russell Henley +102
Ian Poulter +139 vs. Matthew Fitzpatrick -175
Jason Kokrak -135 vs. Brian Harman +105
Lucas Herbert -122 vs. Thomas Detry -108
Matt Wallace -123 vs. Bernd Wiesberger -107
Martin Kaymer -126 vs. Francesco Molinari -104
Ian Poulter -145 vs. Alex Noren +115
Max Homa +124 vs. Kevin Kisner -155
Brendon Todd +129 vs. Emiliano Grillo -162
Aaron Rai -161 vs. Justin Harding +128
Padraig Harrington +114 vs. Matt Kuchar -144
Joost Luiten -156 vs. John Catlin +124
Marcus Kinhult -113 vs. Benjamin Hebert -117
Phil Mickelson +127 vs. Rickie Fowler -160
Adam Scott +103 vs. Jason Day -133
Brandt Snedeker -112 vs. Brendan Steele -118
Ernie Els -137 vs. Darren Clarke +107
Thomas Detry +101 vs. Bernd Wiesberger -131
Will Zalatoris +116 vs. Harris English -146
Need to Know
For those who have played mainly on the PGA Tour, the links layout at Royal St. George’s will offer a different test. At just over 7,200 yards the course isn’t long by any means, but the exposed property is at the mercy of the elements. And with the track nestled along the coast wind will be a factor. If the players can navigate through that there are other obstacles. The undulating surface and dunes can turn any shot into a nightmare. And don’t forget the deep bunkers and fast greens. The field will have to play at a high level in order to pry the Claret Jug from the hands of defending champ Shane Lowry. This will be the 15th playing at Royal St. George’s with only one winner scoring better than 5-under.
The Open Championship Matchup Picks
Garrick Higgo +127 vs. Christiaan Bezuidenhout
A pair of South Africans, and good ones at that, going head to head is a must. Actually it isn’t, but the matchup is intriguing. Both players have enjoyed success picking up multiple wins in the last year, but they’ve both returned to earth more recently. Higgo had the most recent success winning at Congaree in his PGA Tour debut. He followed that with a pair of MCs at the U.S. Open and Travelers where the competition was stronger. But that experience and a return to Europe should be what inspires Higgo and at his price he’s definitely worth taking a look.
Bernd Wiesberger -107 vs. Matt Wallace
I’ve backed Wiesberger several times over the past few years and more times than not he’s paid off for me. This might not be the tournament to throw down on the Austrian since his work in majors has been suspect, but I have a feeling good things are going to happen. He missed the cut in four of his last six starts in the States, but across the pond he’s a different player. Since his MC in the U.S. Open he’s T5-T26 in his last two ET starts. And he’s a decent links player who’s accustomed to working in the elements.
Jordan Spieth +105 vs. Justin Thomas
Spieth is another player I couldn’t pass on at plus-odds. Sure he’s going against a bully in this matchup, but Spieth has emerged from his slump in a big way and is one of the hottest players in the field. He’s collected six top-5s and an additional two top-10s in his last 13 events that included his first win in four years at the Texas Open. His last major victory came in The Open in 2017 and it’s been his best in terms of finishes during his career. Given his current form I’ll gladly back him.
Shane Lowry +104 vs. Paul Casey
I guess it would be easy to pass over the defending champion since he kinda came out nowhere to win the Claret Jug two years ago at Royal Portrush. But he sure did it in style and he enters on a run of good form begging the question: why can’t he repeat? Lowry shot a course record 63 on Saturday en route to a six-shot win and you know he’s used to the links being an Irishman. He’s also played the weekend in each of his last nine stroke-play events with four top-10s.
Phil Mickelson +127 vs. Rickie Fowler -160
Mickelson has played a lot of golf recently winning majors and raising funds for charitable causes. He must feel good physically at his advanced age and the game looked superb a few months ago at Kiawah Island. And don’t forget Lefty is one of a few players who attacked Royal St. George’s in 2011 finishing tied for second. Also, it’s just too damn risky to back Fowler with his game being all over the place.
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