British Open Golf Betting Tips 2026

The only one of golf’s four annual majors to take place outside of the USA gives us the perfect opportunity to deliver our expert British Open Golf betting tips. The British Open, or 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, espe...

The only one of golf’s four annual majors to take place outside of the USA gives us the perfect opportunity to deliver our expert British Open Golf betting tips. The British Open, or 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 cover everything you need to know about betting on 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.

Brad Thomas May 26, 2022

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 kno...

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...

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 want to start betting on the British Open, keep these key pointers in mind.

Course Info: The Open Championship is played on a different British golf course each year. 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 this year, as the event is in Northern Ireland.

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-franked 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 options fo...

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 options for this prestigious event, which will be available at most betting sites. And remember, the sites offer fantastic betting odds for 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 c...

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 time before the event. For major golf events, betting odds will be available throughout the year.

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 o...

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 on 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.

Bouncing back from a poor performance is common

Missing the cut in a prior year isn't a dealbreaker. Five of the last 15 Open champions bounced back from a missed cut in their previous Open appearance to lift the Claret Jug.

Prior tournament success is standard

Eight of the last ten Open champions had already secured a top-10 finish in a previous Open Championship before their victory (with Collin Morikawa winning on his major debut and Cameron Smith being the only recent exceptions).

Links experience is mandatory

The learning curve on links courses is steep. Modern stats show that 10 of the last 11 Open winners had competed in at least four previous Open Championships before winning.

Cinderella stories do happen

In 2003, Ben Curtis famously won on his major debut at Royal St George’s while ranked 396th in the world—proving that massive longshots can occasionally break through.

Current-season form is crucial

Entering the week with winning momentum is a massive indicator of success. Eight of the last ten Open champions had already secured a trophy earlier that same calendar year.

Winners are usually proven champions

Looking at the broader data since 2000, 71.2% of British Open winners had already banked at least one tournament win earlier in the calendar year.

Peak age matters

The average age of Champion Golfers in the 21st century is 33, representing a perfect balance of physical prime and links experience.

Modern trends favor the elite

While historic longshots skewed the 21st-century average winner's ranking to 41st, top-tier talent dominates today. Ten of the last 11 Open winners were ranked inside the world's top 26 at the time of their victory.

The World Number One can win it

While it used to be said that only Tiger Woods could win the Claret Jug while holding the top ranking, Scottie Scheffler shattered that narrative by dominating the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush as the undisputed world number one.

Who Are The Previous Championship Winners

Year	Golfer	Final Score	To Par	Margin of Victory	Nationality
2025	Scottie Scheffler	267	-17	4 strokes	USA
2024	Xander Schauffele	275	-9	2 strokes	USA
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

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the British golf open in 2026?

The 2026 British Open Championship golf tournament will take place at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, starting on Thursday, July 16th, and finishing on Sunday, July 19th, 2026.

Is betting on British open golf profitable?

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.

What are the open championship best bets?

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.

Are there any past trends I can follow?

Yes, and we have listed these above, but to briefly recap, this is a tournament usually won by the world’s top players, though it is worth noting that seven of the last 15 winners actually missed the cut in their previous Championship entry.

Who is favoured in the British Open?

The top four candidates with the shortest odds are Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm.

Has anyone won the event back to back?

Yes, this has happened on many occasions, most recently when Padraig Harrington took the Claret Jug for the second year in 2008.