It’s the final opportunity to bet on a PGA Major Tournament for the remainder of 2019. The 148th British Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951 and begins Thursday morning just after midnight. Francesco Molinari won last year’s Open at Carnoustie with an 8-under.
The favorite is Northern Ireland’s own Rory McIlroy is the chalk at 8-1 odds. One reason is because he set this course’s record of 61 when he was just 16 years old in 2005. I am going to fade the home country favorite. Pressure to win his fifth Major on his home turf is good enough to stay away. Picking him would be a cop out, since he knows the ins and outs of this course.
Second favorite behind McIlroy is one of my favorites to bet on – Brooks Koepka, who stands at 11-1. Brooks was my pick to win the Masters (second) and we nailed him at +1100 at this year’s PGA Championship. Koepka, whose hot ass girl friend Jena Sims stole the show at the ESPYS, and who doesn’t want to look at that smokeshow the entire final round? Anyway, Koepka comes to play at any Major. His caddie is Portrush local Ricky Elliott. I’m in, again.
Dustin Johnson has taken a lot of early money this week and is currently the third choice at 16-1. Only 1 Top 10 finish in his last 6?
Tied with DJ is Jon Rahm at 16-1. He seems like a really legit fit for this course after winning the Irish Open. Problem is, his British Open track record sucks.
Tiger, Tiger Woods ya’ll is fifth on the betting board at 20-1. He has won the Open three times. How will Tiger bounce back from this being only his fourth tournament since winning the Masters in April. He hasn’t won here. If he gets off to a slow start, that’s a wrap, but betting $2 on Tiger would net you $44, and that’s juicy. Pretty damn good if you still believe in him.
Don’t shoot the messenger, but some other golfers to take a look at include Justin Rose (22-1), Xander Schauffele (22-1), Adam Scott (28-1), Henrik Stenson (28-1), Matt Kuchar (30-1), Louis Oosthuzien (50-1), Hideki Matsuyama (40-1), Webb Simpson (65-1), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (65-1), Marc Leishman (70-1), and Andrew Putnam (200-1).
Remember, you can always watch the first round without betting then jump on someone after the first 18 holes. Odds will certainly adjust.