2019 The Open Championship Odds & Expert Analysis

It is one of the biggest weekends of the golf season starting on Thursday, as the best players in the world head across the pond to take part in the 148th Open Championship, referred to by most as The British Open. It is arguably the most prestigious event in the golfing world, with this year’s tournament taking place at the Royal Portrush Course in Northern Ireland.

Francesco Molinari comes in as the defending champion, but he is going to have a tough time repeating, as this field is as good as it gets and includes a rejuvenated Tiger Woods, who won The Masters earlier this year. Let’s take a look at who the bookies like as the favorites to win the British Open.

2019 The Open Championship Odds & Expert Analysis

• Location: United Kingdom
• Established: 1860
• Course: County Antrim, Northern Ireland
• Par: 71
• Tours: European/PGAJapan Golf
• Format: Stroke play
• Prize fund: $10.75 million

Rory McIlroy

• The Open Championship Odds: +850

Rory McIlroy comes into this tournament as the favorite for a number of different reasons. He is the #3 ranked player in the world, while currently sitting with the same rank in the FedEx Cup standings. He is also a former Open winner, with his win coming back in 2014.

Perhaps the biggest advantage that he has here, though, is that he will be playing in his own backyard. McIlroy is going to have the crowd very much on his side, which could take him to the finish line if he is still hanging around on Sunday. McIlroy is a fantastic pick when you take all of those details into account.

Brooks Koepka

• The Open Championship Odds: +1000

Koepka has proven that he is a big-time player, as he seems to save his best golf for the biggest events on the tour. 2018 was a career year for Koepka, winning 2 tournaments, but he has already matched that number this season.

The biggest of those wins came at the PGA Championship, again proving that he shines when the spotlight is the largest. He comes into the Open as the #1 ranked player in the world and he definitely needs to be considered a big favorite this weekend.

Tiger Woods

• The Open Championship Odds: +1500

The Masters earlier this year was like watching the world of golf go back in time, with Tiger Woods putting in a performance for the ages. He has admitted, though, that the win took a lot out of him, which explains why he has only played twice since that win.

In those events, he had a top 10 finish at the Memorial, followed by a T21 at the US Open. Of the players taking part this weekend, no-one has more British Open wins than Tiger Woods, who has 3, but it should be noted that his last success here came back in 2006.

Dustin Johnson

• The Open Championship Odds: +1600

Johnson spent a lot of the last few years as the #1 golfer in the world, but a down season, at least by his standards, in 2018, saw him fall down to #2. There is a sign that he is turning things around this year, though.

He has a win at the World Golf Championship in Mexico, but he has also been very good in major tournaments, finishing in second at the PGA Championship and The Masters. That suggests that he is going to be in the hunt come Sunday afternoon, so not a bad bet at all.

Other Contenders

• John Rahm +1600
• Justin Rose +2000
• Xander Schauffele +2500
• Francesco Molinari +2500
• Henrik Stenson +2800

Last 10 The Open Championship Winners

• 2018: Francesco Molinari
• 2017: Jordan Spieth
• 2016: Henrik Stenson
• 2015: Zach Johnson
• 2014: Rory McIlroy
• 2013: Phil Mickelson
• 2012: Ernie Els
• 2011: Darren Clarke
• 2010: Louis Oosthuizen
• 2009: Stewart Cink