The only one of golf’s four annual majors to take place outside of the USA, the British Open, or just simply the Open Championship, is one of the biggest events in the sport. This tournament takes place annually each July and has no fixed venue. As one of golf’s majors, betting interest around it is very big, especially in Europe and America. If that sounds like something you’re keen on getting in on, then you have come to the right place.
On this page, we will introduce you to all there is to know about betting for the Open. This will include British open golf betting tips for the winner, a tasty each-way punt and a longshot to help you squeeze the best value out of this year’s odds on the event, as well as where to find the best bookmakers.
Which Are the Best Bets for the British Open
This year’s event returns to Scotland, where precision is favoured over power. This has been one of the deciding factors we considered when drafting our British Open golf betting tips. It’s one of the reasons why we don’t like the look of the big-hitting candidates, who like to strike the ball with power. Instead, our attention is drawn to these players.
Winner: Scheffler comes from an abysmal performance in the US Open that was his worst ever. Nevertheless, since 2021, he has been the most consistent golfer among all the ones battling in Grand Slams. He has even managed to shoot 68 or lower in 5 of his last 12 major tournaments.
⏩ Scottie Scheffler to win the British Open at 5/1 (6.00) odds
Each Way: We’re leaning towards another American for this one. We like the look of Xander Schauffele after his impressive win in the PGA Championship earlier this year. He was the top scrambler in the PGA and 11th in GIR. He is also one of the best at covering lost strokes. So, if you think backing him to win is too risky, each/way is the best option.
⏩ Xander Schauffele to win the British Open each way at 12/1 (11.00) odds
Which Are the Best British Open Bookmakers
Because of the magnitude of this event, most of the online sportsbooks will be running a book on it. With such vast options, picking the right one can be tricky. There is a lot to consider, and we know what you’re after.
Look for sites that offer the biggest range of markets, as well as those that offer the best welcome bonus. Other great features include free bets, ACCA insurance, live streaming and cash out. Below, we have listed the best British Open betting sites for you.
How to Bet on British Open Championship
When you are ready to bet on the British Open or any other golf tournament, there are some fundamentals to consider before you risk your hard-earned money. While there is no way to create golf betting strategies that work all the time, and frankly, it would be boring and lose its thrills if there were, there are a few steps we can take to improve our chances.
After all, we want to make money, not lose it. If you are looking to get started betting on British open golf, then below, we have listed some pointers you should think about before you do.
Course Info: The Open Championship is played on a different British golf course yearly. What this means for us is that we need first to find out where the event will be held that particular year and then what the weather might be like when the tourney is being played.
Although it takes place in July in the UK at the height of the European summer, Great Britain has notoriously volatile weather, and we have seen many renewals over the years. This can be true, especially when the event is held in Scotland, as is often the case.
Form and Official Rankings: The official PGA world rankings are also a useful guide for making a pick. Golfing majors such as this tend to be won by the world’s top players, usually around the world’s top 20.
This isn’t always the case, but if the world’s best players are in good form and swinging well, they will certainly fancy their chances. You should also keep up with the latest player news to know if anyone has any fitness issues that might impact their performance.
Warm-up Events: This one relates to the other two above in that it relates to course info, form and potential fitness worries. While the British Open officially takes place the week after the Barbasol Championship, which is held in Kentucky, USA, there is the small matter of the Scottish Open a fortnight before this event.
This can give you some pointers on what type of summer the UK is having. A rough flanked Scottish links course could definitely show you how certain players deal with tough British conditions when making their way around the course.
Which Are the Top British Open Markets
When it comes to British open bets, there are many popular choices to take advantage of. These offer excitement, and each is as thrilling as the last. Below we have listed some of the best for this prestigious event that will be available at most betting sites. And remember, the sites offer fantastic betting odds. British Open golf markets too.
Main Markets
These are the most popular and mainstream Open Championship bets available. Most bookies will offer them, which, while still providing a lot of fun and excitement, are pretty basic and uncomplicated.
Outright Winner: A straightforward wager on the golfer that will win the Championship.
Each Way: Similar to above but where the stake is doubled to fund a bet on the golfer finishing in the places in case he falls short of winning.
Ante-Post: This is a bet made a long term before the event. For the major events in golf, betting odds will be made available all year round.
Prop and Special Bets
Of course, sportsbooks aren’t just limited to those three. There are other bets that players can get involved with. Some of these are a little more complicated than others, but they are all pretty simple to understand and place at the bookies.
Top of the Leaderboard: This bet can be placed for any of the four days of the British Open and works by bettors wagering on the player that finishes top of the leaderboard on any given day.
Make or Miss the Cut: The cut is introduced after 36 holes have been played, and you can bet on a player making it or missing it.
Hole in One: Could there be a hole in one scored by any golfer at any time over the four days?
Winner’s Nationality: You can bet on the winner’s nationality.
Can I Benefit from Past Trends
When drafting your picks for betting for the British Open, there are always past results and trends that can affect the betting decisions. Of course, there are no guarantees, but these can often be an indicator of what the final result will be. What we know about the Open is that it has thrown up some astonishing trends and stats in the past few years.
⏩ Seven of the previous 12 winners missed the cut in their previous Open performance.
⏩ Every winner since Louis Oosthuizen in 2010 has previously finished in the top ten on at least one occasion before their victory.
⏩ On average, Open winners since 2000 have featured in at least nine previous Championships before winning.
⏩ In 2003, Ben Curtis famously won on his major debut at Royal St George’s while ranked an incredible 396 in the world.
⏩ In five of the last eight years, the Claret Jug has been won by a player who had won at least one of his previous five events leading up to the Championship.
⏩ Since 2000, 70% of British Open Championship winners had already banked at least one tournament win earlier in the calendar year.
⏩ The last player to break this streak was Zach Johnson in 2015 at St Andrews.
⏩ The average age of Champion Golfers in the 21st century is 33.
⏩ Five of the last ten winners were between 39 and 43 years old when lifting the Claret Jug.
⏩ Since 2000, the average ranking of an Open Champion is 41t.
⏩ The only world number one in the Open Championship in the last 20 years was Tiger Woods, who won the Claret Jug in 2000, 2005 and 2006.
Who Are the Previous Championship Winners
Another important thing that can help us understand who might win is who has won in the past. When we wrote our British Open betting tips, we looked at playing styles of former champions and have listed below the last ten winners to help you do the same. As you can see, there has only been one British winner of the Open in the past ten years: Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.
Year | Golfer | Final Score | To Par | Margin of Victory | Nationality |
2023 | Brian Harman | 271 | -13 | 3 strokes | USA |
2022 | Cameron Smith | 268 | -20 | 1 stroke | Australia |
2021 | Collin Morikawa | 265 | −15 | 2 strokes | USA |
2020 | Cancelled (COVID) | - | - | - | - |
2019 | Shane Lowry | 269 | -15 | 6 strokes | Rep. of Ireland |
2018 | Francesco Molinari | 276 | -8 | 2 strokes | Italy |
2017 | Jordan Spieth | 268 | -12 | 3 strokes | USA |
2016 | Henrik Stenson | 264 | -20 | 3 strokes | Sweden |
2015 | Zach Johnson | 273 | -15 | Playoff | USA |
2014 | Rory McIlroy | 271 | -17 | 2 strokes | Nor. Ireland |
Other Key Golf Events
Undoubtedly, the British Open isn't the sole noteworthy golf event. Several other Grand Slam tournaments offer exceptional opportunities to earn money. Instead of doing the research yourself, you can follow some of our guides on the list below:
⏩ US Masters Golf Betting Tips
⏩ PGA Championship Betting Tips
Full List of British Open Betting Sites
As the fourth and final major of the golfing season, the Open Championship traditionally generates a great deal of interest among golf fans and bettors alike. While events such as these more often go to the world’s leading players, golf is a sport where anything can happen.
If and when you are ready to bet on the Open, then below, we have listed some of the top British open betting sites that are available to you to sign up and enjoy right now.
The 2024 British Open Championship golf tournament will take place in the Royal Troon Golf Club on Thursday, July 18th, and finish on Sunday, the 21st 2024.
Yes, and we have listed these above, but to briefly recap, this is a tournament usually won by the world’s top players, and seven of the last 12 winners missed the cut in their previous Championship entry.
Yes, of course, so long as you do it well. Gambling is always a risk, that’s where the thrill comes from, but in golf, the odds are usually favourable, meaning there is always the room to turn a profit even if you back a player to finish in the places at long odds.
The top four candidates with the shortest odds are Rory McILroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa.
Many great bets can be made on an event of this size, but the main ones are on the outright winner, each way and leader board betting.
Yes, this has happened on many occasions, most recently when Padraig Harrington took the Claret Jug for the second year in 2008.