The OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF BETTING TIPS

The best golfers in the world will be heading to South Ayrshire in Scotland this week for what is bound to be an intriguing Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The final major of the year always presents different challenges to the preceding three that are all played on the opposite side of the Atlantic and, with Britain enduring unseasonal weather this summer, conditions are likely to play a huge part in deciding who leaves with their hands on the famous Claret Jug.

This will be the 10th time the course has hosted the major and the first since 2016 when Henrik Stenson saw off Phil Mickelson in a titanic battle.

The Swede plotted his way around using his three wood off the tee and keeping the ball on the shorter grass will be key for anyone with eyes on lifting the grand old prize.

Scheffler still the man to beat

There is little surprise to see world number one Scottie Scheffler at the top of the betting at 11/2 after six victories this year – but there are questions for the Masters champion to answer as he heads to Scotland.

His last victory was on his most recent performance at the Travelers Championship, but that was a month ago and he swerved the opportunity to get some potentially valuable links tournament practice at last week’s Scottish Open.

Scheffler was a disappointing 41st at the US Open and has not finished better than eighth in his three Open Championship performances.

Rory McIlroy, who allowed the US Open to slip through his fingers as Bryson DeChambeau benefitted last month at Pinehurst, is seen as Scheffler’s chief market rival at 15/2, while Brian Harman is 66/1 to successfully defend the title he won last year at Royal Liverpool.

Tip 1 – Rory McIlroy to win the Open @ 15/2

McIlroy was left distraught after he missed two short putts to allow DeChambeau to win the US Open but there looks a strong chance that the man from Northern Ireland will bounce back this week.

McIlroy took himself away from the spotlight after his Pinehurst meltdown but he was back in action at the Renaissance Club last week, where he finished a creditable fourth behind winning home favourite Robert MacIntyre. He won the Scottish Open last year before finishing sixth at Royal Liverpool and, having claimed third at St Andrews the year before, he has Open form that cannot be sniffed at in making the top six in six of the last eight battles for the Claret Jug.

McIlroy won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Shane Lowry and the Wells Fargo Championship this year and what could be key is his experience of bouncing back from major disappointment.

His Masters quest in 2011 collapsed on the final day but he then dusted himself down to win the US Open at Congressional by eight shots a couple of months later.

He has a point to prove and that makes him a dangerous animal at Troon.

Tip 2 – Collin Morikawa to win the Open @ 16/1

Collin Morikawa has not won since the Zozo Championship in October but he has been knocking on the door consistently and could get his hands on the Claret Jug again.

The American has missed two Open cuts since his 2021 win at Royal St George’s but he has been the model of consistency as he has not finished lower than 16th in his last nine events.

That run includes a third at the Masters, fourth at the US PGA Championship and 14th at the US Open, so another win may be on the horizon, particularly as he warmed up with a strong fourth place at the Scottish Open last week.

Tip 3 – Jason Day to finish in the top 10 @ 8/1

There are many hopefuls with strong claims for glory this week but one potential sleeper could be former world number one Jason Day, who could give punters a good run for their money at a triple-figure price.

It is nine years since the Australian won what has been his only major at the US PGA Championship but he has lifted himself out of the doldrums and shown he can still compete with the best players in the world by claiming four top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year.

He was second behind Harman at Royal Liverpool last year, a performance that booked his spot for this summer’s gathering, and his 22nd the last time the tournament was held at Royal Troon shows he has the potential to manage the track’s challenges.