The best golfers in the world will make their way to one of the toughest courses on the PGA Tour schedule for the third major tournament of the year: the Open Championship. The Championship Course at Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland is the venue for the only major event played outside the United States and it will definitely press on the nerves of the top contenders in the field. Here’s a closer look at the betting odds for this week’s event:
Dustin Johnson (+1200) enters this week as the clear sports betting favorite to win the Open Championship. Poor putting really hurt him at the U.S. Open last time out but he still finished third. Prior to that, he also won the St. Jude Classic with ease. D.J. has never won this tournament but he has come close a number of times, tying for ninth in 2016, 12th in 2014, ninth in 2012 and second in 2011.
Spieth offered at +2000 to repeat as champion
Jordan Spieth, the defending champion, looks to defend his title and is posted at +2000. Over the last 27 years, only two Open Championship winners had taken the prior week off or played in the United States the week before the tournament. However, that doesn’t seem to bother Spieth. The 23-year-old went against the grain and bucked a bunch of trends at this tournament last year.
Justin Rose (+1600) enters this event in excellent form after winning the Fort Worth Invitational and then registering top-10 finishes at the Memorial Tournament, U.S. Open and Scottish Open. His warm-up at Gullane was the perfect preparation for this week. While his best finish at this event was a T-4 all the way back in 1998, Rose won the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen in 2014. He should feel confident heading into the third major tournament of the year.
Rickie Fowler (+1600) is still searching for that elusive major success and many experts think that the Open Championship could be his best opportunity to fill that void. Fowler has been excellent in links play and he enters this event fresh off a T-6 in Scotland. Also with the same odds is Rory McIlroy (+1600) as the last player inside of +2000. He won the Open Championship at Hoylake in 2014 with a 17-under-par score and is an excellent links player. He understands what it will take to conquer the difficult course he will play this week.
Reed has contended in last three majors
Looking at some sleepers, Patrick Reed (+3500) will be an interesting option. Reed has contended in each of the last three majors, winning the 2018 Masters, placing fourth at the 2018 U.S. Open and tying for second at the 2017 PGA Championship. He has a tremendous short game that should play out well at Carnoustie.
Sergio Garcia (+2800) could be a sleeper as he is one of the best links players to never lift the Claret Jug. He has come close before, losing in a playoff at Carnoustie in 2007. He also nearly beat out McIlroy at Hoylake in 2014. This course suits Garcia well and at a price just inside of 30/1, he might be offering some good value on the board.