Golf Predictions: Five Great Early British Open Choices
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson is the betting favorite for the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. But will he bring home the Claret Jug from the British Open?
Five British Open Favorites
Dustin Johnson is enjoying the best stretch of golf in his lifetime, and the oddsmakers like him to prevail at Royal Birkdale. Johnson is listed as +800 at Bovada to claim his second major championship and first British Open.
The second favorite is a curious choice, as Rory McIlroy is +1000 despite not being on top form with rib injuries.
Right behind McIlroy in the betting eyes is Jordan Spieth. The 23-year-old American is +1100 to win his third major championship.
Jason Day and Sergio Garcia are both currently +1600 to win at Royal Birkdale. That is a bit of surprise for Day — who has played erratic golf throughout 2017. Garcia is riding the best play of his career. The Spaniard won his first major title at the Masters and recorded seven top-20 finishes this season.
Five British Open Value Plays
Just off the first page of the odds are some significant British Open value investments. Leading the way is Tommy Fleetwood, who is currently +3300 on the strength of his solid US Open play.
Five-time major winner and 2013 Open champion Phil Mickelson will be without the services of caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay, who will instead be an on-course commentator for Golf Channel/NBC. Bones’ former employer always has a shot on links courses, and goes off at +3500.
Louis Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 Open championship and has been playing consistent golf throughout 2017, is listed at +5000. Also at +5000 is Patrick Reed, the American Ryder Cup star who has regained his form in recent weeks. And don’t sleep on 2015 Open champion Zach Johnson, who plays well in inclement weather and is listed at +6600
Our British Open Selection
While any of the above players are solid selections, we actually like a player not yet listed to break through at Royal Birkdale. Rickie Fowler is primed for a major moment, and at +1800 he will be the choice of a lot of investors to hoist his first Claret Jug.
