After a two-year wait, golf fans all over the world will be eagerly counting down the last few remaining days until the return of The Open Championship — the sport’s oldest and most prestigious tournament.
With the coronavirus pandemic meaning that the 2019 edition of tournament at Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush was the last time The Open was held, it’s understandable that excitement is rife ahead of the tournament teeing off at Royal St George’s in Kent on July 15th.
Jon Rahm’s maiden major triumph at the recent US Open at Torrey Pines in California means that the Spaniard is the outright favourite in The British Open Odds. However, it is notoriously difficult to win back-to-back majors, and that means that someone from left of field could lift the Claret Jug later this month.
So, with just over a week to go until the 149th edition of The Open gets underway, let’s take a look at a few good outside bets. Read on to find out more!
Jordan Spieth – 18/1
After such a promising start to his career, winning three major titles in two years, Jordan Spieth endured a difficult period. Without a win in over four years, the American dropped out of the top-100 ranked players in the world. However, with a victory in the Texas Open back in April, Spieth kicked his career back into life and it seems like it’s only a matter of time before he wins his fourth major. He recorded a third-place finish in the Masters and a top-20 finish at the US Open already this season, and with experience of already winning the Claret Jug, he could be there or thereabouts at Royal St George’s.
Justin Thomas – 22/1
At 22/1, World No. 3 Justin Thomas certainly makes for an interesting each-way bet. The American, who hasn’t won a major since his maiden triumph in the PGA Championship back in 2017, had a difficult start to the year, with personal issues away from the sport and on-course controversy appearing to take its toll. However, he bounced back with a victory in The Players Championship, the next best thing to a major, at TPC Sawgrass in March, proving he still has what it takes to compete at the top. He hasn’t really kicked on since, missing the cut at the PGA Championship before a 19th-place finish at the US Open. But he’ll surely want to have a good crack at winning 2021’s final major.
Brooks Koepka – 14/1
As the fourth favourite, Brooks Koepka isn’t exactly a massive outsider to win The Open. However, at odds of 14/1 there is the potential for money to be made. The 31-year-old has been in the headlines lately for a rift with 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, but in the recent US Open and Travelers Championship, where he finished fourth and fifth respectively, the four-time major winner proved his focus is solely on his game, and there’s no doubt he would love to add a victory at The Open to his CV.
Collin Morikawa – 25/1
Like Thomas, Collin Morikawa is another tempting each-way bet at 25/1. The World No. 4 finished eighth in the defence of his PGA Championship crown at Kiawah Island Golf Resort back in May, and he topped that result with a fourth-place finish at the recent US Open. This will be the 24-year-old’s first outing at The Open, and it will be no easy feat to win at Royal St George’s. However, on current form, he will surely be feeling confident.