The fourth and final major of the 2019 season has arrived.
The 148th Open Championship begins this Thursday (first tee 1:35 a.m. ET) at Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
To prepare for the tournament, The Action Network’s brightest golf minds got together to provide tournament outlooks for 79 golfers, starting with the favorite, Rory McIlroy.
Top Stories
- Sobel: Ranking the Field From Top to Bottom
- Perry: My Betting Card for the 2019 Open Championship
- The 10 Best Links Golfers in the World
- Sobel's 2019 Open Championship Betting Guide
Rory McIlroy 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 8-1
- DFS Pricing: $11,600 DraftKings; $12,000 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:09 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:10 a.m. ET Friday
Not only does no other player have as much pressure on him this week as Northern Ireland’s own favorite son, I’m not sure any player has had as much pressure on them at a major in recent years – except, well, maybe McIlroy at the Masters.
We’ve seen how he’s played in that situation, trying to capture the career grand slam, which is to say, good, but not good enough. While it’s always possible Rory vanquishes the field by a half-dozen strokes, it’ll be tough in front of the adoring home crowd. — Jason Sobel
Brooks Koepka British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 10-1
- DFS Pricing: $11,400 DraftKings; $12,200 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:04 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:03 a.m. ET Friday
There’s obviously nothing wrong with picking Brooks in a major. He's won three of them so far, and in his three Open appearances, he's added two top 10s to his resume. It’s not quite the high end finishes we’ve seen at the other majors, but solid results nonetheless.
If you had asked me a few years ago where Koepka’s major breakthrough would come, the Open would have been my guess. He came up through the Challenge and Euro Tours and should be comfortable with the style necessary to win at an Open. His caddie grew up playing at Portrush and is a member at the course, so he should be able to provide that valuable local knowledge on a relatively unfamiliar course.
I’m not one to bet favorites, but I’m also not looking to fade Koepka anywhere. — Joshua Perry
Dustin Johnson 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 10-1
- DFS Pricing: $10,900 DraftKings; $11,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:59 a.m. ET Thursday; 4:58 a.m. ET Friday
Just once, I’d love to hear DJ pissed off and fired up, saying it’s unacceptable that a player of his caliber only has one major victory, while insisting that he knows he’s every bit as good as Brooks Koepka. Alas, that ain’t ever, ever gonna happen.
Instead, we’re left with the cool cat who continues to come close, though The Open is decidedly his least favorite major. Johnson owns three career top-10s, but in the last four years he’s only once finished better than 49th. — Jason Sobel
Tiger Woods 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 18-1
- DFS Pricing: $10,200 DraftKings; $11,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:10 a.m. ET Thursday; 5:09 a.m. ET Friday
When he insisted he’d play way fewer events this year, Woods wasn’t embellishing. More than halfway through the calendar, he’s made just nine starts – three fewer than any other player in the world’s top-five.
Tiger obviously proved he can still win at Augusta National and if we’re ranking the majors that best suit his 43-year-old body and game, The Open would have to be next on the list. Dialing in long- and mid-irons has always been his specialty and that should keep in the mix this week, as well. — Jason Sobel
Justin Rose 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 20-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,900 DraftKings; $11,600 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:48 a.m. ET Thursday; 4:47 a.m. ET Friday
It’s been 21 years since Rose burst onto the scene as low amateur at The Open, finishing T-4 at Royal Birkdale as a 17-year-old. That mark stood as his best result at the event until last year, when he earned a share of runner-up honors.
If the weather remains calm, like it did at Carnoustie last summer, Rose’s chances for contention should be elevated; if the wind blows, I’d slide him a bit lower down on the list, since I’m not sure he owns the proper low-ball game to survive those conditions. — Jason Sobel
Jordan Spieth British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 30-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,900 DraftKings; $11,200 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:26 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:25 a.m. ET Friday
Will the real Jordan Spieth please stand up?
The much-beleaguered three-time major champion hasn’t been nearly as off with his performance this year as most people believe; it’s just that his first handful of years as a pro were so special that the bar of expectations has perhaps been raised too high.
Even so, it’s tough to figure out what we should expect. Spieth went 10 months without a top-10, then peeled off three straight, only to be following by a T-65 and MC in his two most recent starts.
Francesco Molinari 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 20-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,400 DraftKings; $11,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:58 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:59 a.m. ET Friday
Is it possible that the defending champion is getting overlooked this time around? Quite frankly, Frankie could win three in a row and still not steal the headlines away from his big-name peers, which seems just fine with him. In the year since winning, he’s made the cut at all four majors, including a pair of top-six finishes.
He’s not exactly Koepka when it comes to playing his best golf only at the big ones, but the very nature of tougher setups tends to suit his game very well. — Jason Sobel
Rickie Fowler 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 25-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,300 DraftKings; $11,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:20 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:21 a.m. ET Friday
If you’ve been backing Rickie to win his first major for the last handful of years, you’re likely at a crossroads: Keep firing and hope the “inevitable” happens soon, or cut your losses and risk Fowler FOMO if he wins. I understand the surrender, but this might be a foolish jumping-off point.
His ability to embrace links with creativity around the course should serve him well, though the recent results have been disappointing: Since a runner-up finish in 2014, he’s finished 30th-46th-22nd-28th. — Jason Sobel
Jon Rahm 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 16-1
- DFS Pricing: $10,600 DraftKings; $11,300 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:21 a.m. ET Thursday; 5:20 a.m. ET Friday
No contender has moved in the recent markets like Rahm, who recently claimed yet another Irish Open title, then sang the praises of links golf and competing in Ireland.
A massive talent who is targeted for big things, many believe it’s only his short fuse of a temperament which is holding him back, though that might serve only as a rationalization for why he hasn’t won a major yet. Still just 24, that day is coming – and it might be coming this week, as he’s clearly figured out the secret to this style of golf. — Jason Sobel
Xander Schauffele 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 25-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,500 DraftKings; $11,000 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:14 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:15 a.m. ET Friday
This guy is becoming so proficient at major championships that he could even win one by accident soon. In 10 major starts, he owns five finishes of sixth or better, including a runner-up at this year’s Masters and a share of third place at the U.S. Open.
He still remains overlooked amongst the public, but this week could suit him well. In limited experience, he’s shown a solid proficiency for playing links golf, including a – what else? – runner-up finish at last year’s Open.
Patrick Cantlay 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 25-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,000 DraftKings; $10,800 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:21 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:21 a.m. ET Friday
I’ve always believed that the world’s upper-most echelon of golfers, the very elite of the elite, separate themselves from the next tier based on the fact that they can win on any type of course, anytime.
I think Cantlay is on the verge of bursting through that barrier and joining that crowd, and he can go a long way toward proving it this week. A lone previous result of 12th last year suggests he’s suited to links golf, while the confidence from being 21st or better at this year’s first three majors should offer momentum. — Jason Sobel
Tommy Fleetwood British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 25-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,700 DraftKings; $10,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 7:53 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:52 a.m. ET Friday
Myth: Fleetwood has been knocking on the door at The Open and he’s finally ready to turn one of those title contentions into a victory.
Reality: He’s missed the cut in three of five career starts and never finished inside the top-10, with last year’s T-12 being his best result.
None of that means he can’t win, of course, as the Englishman is a proven commodity at this style of golf, his superb Dunhill Links record as evidence. Other than a Northern Irishman, he’s amongst the more popular potential champions. — Jason Sobel
Justin Thomas 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 30-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,100 DraftKings; $10,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 7:53 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:52 a.m. ET Friday
What a strange year it’s been for Thomas so far. He started like gangbusters, recording three top-three finishes early on, but was derailed by a wrist injury and hasn’t posted a top-10 on the PGA Tour in eight starts, though he was T-9 at the Scottish Open this past weekend.
His results at The Open have been similarly strange. He’s finished MC-MC-53rdin three career appearances, but that doesn’t tell the entire story. He played through a weather-burdened nine-hole stretch at Royal Birkdale that led to one MC and had a triple- and quintuple-bogey leading to another. — Jason Sobel
Jason Day 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 30-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,600 DraftKings; $10,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:59 a.m. ET Thursday; 4:58 a.m. ET Friday
For a player who’s always insisted his career won’t be a lengthy one due to back issues, it feels like Day has ratcheted up the immediacy after failing to win for the past year and falling well outside the world’s top-10.
With Steve Williams on the bag, expect the intangible factor of greater focus and plenty of tangible ones, especially this week. “He’s gone there with Tiger [Woods] before the British in some years, so he definitely knows that course,” Day told me. That won’t hurt the cause. — Jason Sobel
Adam Scott 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 30-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,800 DraftKings; $10,500 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:58 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:59 a.m. ET Friday
Still seeking retribution for the 2012 Open, when he bogeyed the final four holes to lose to Ernie Els, it’s always felt like Scott has been destined to win a Claret Jug.
Inarguably one of the most talented players of his generation, he’s been terrific in a limited schedule this year, which has included results of T-18 at the Masters, T-8 at the PGA Championship and T-7 at the U.S. Open, with only a solo second place at the Memorial squeezed amongst them. Never a favorite, but never too far off, this could be the week. — Jason Sobel
Louis Oosthuizen British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 30-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,000 DraftKings; $10,200 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:04 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:03 a.m. ET Friday
If it’s a major, then watch out for Louis.
One of eight players in the game’s history to finish runner-up at all four majors, this is the only one he’s captured, winning by seven at St. Andrews in 2010.
While he always plays pretty well at majors — 13 top-25s in the last six years and only two missed cuts — good luck trying to figure out when he’s going to seriously contend, as there appears to be no pattern and he’s the type that doesn’t need to be in any kind of form prior to playing his best golf. — Jason Sobel
Hideki Matsuyama 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 30-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,500 DraftKings; $10,300 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:20 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:21 a.m. ET Friday
Matsuyama was on the upswing a couple years ago but just hasn’t put it completely together at a high level yet. He’s had some impressive finishes at majors, including two top-fives in 2017, but he’s failed to get inside the top 15 since. The Open has been his worse major in his career, which is interesting given his excellent ball-striking and tee-to-green game. Perhaps it’s his high ball flight into greens: In his 12 rounds in windy conditions, he’s struggled, although most of that was due to the short game.
All in all, Hideki has been a solid links player, and while he’s been unable to put up high-end results, he’s been very steady. I wouldn’t buy him in to-win markets, but he could be worth a look as a low-owned DFS play in tournaments who likely won’t ruin your lineups. — Bryan Mears
Sergio Garcia British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 80-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,800 DraftKings; $9,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 3:14 a.m. ET Thursday; 8:15 a.m. ET Friday
Raise your hand if you’ve been burned by Sergio in multiple majors this season. (My hand is raised.)
While he's done well at Open Championships in the past, he's been a bit of a mixed bags this year. After shooting an opening-round 69 at the U.S. Open last month he stated that his game doesn’t feel good, and he feels like a 25 handicapper. He proceeded to shoot 70, 75, 74 in the days after. Since then, he missed the cut at the BMW International Open then finished seventh at the Andalucia Masters.
Sergio has historically been a solid links player, and this could burn me, but I’ll have zero equity invested in him this week. –Justin Bailey
Henrik Stenson British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 50-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,400 DraftKings; $10,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:14 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:15 a.m. ET Friday
Few players in the game — if any — own the integral combination of above-average distance and dead-eye accuracy like Stenson, whose lone major championship came in an epic head-to-head battle against Phil Mickelson three years ago at Royal Troon.
Since then, he’s posted results of 11th or better at each of the four majors, though it’s been tough to figure out his form this year, which has included a T-8, a few T-9s and a bunch of other solid results, without a single true title contention.
Matt Kuchar 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 40-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,700 DraftKings; $10,000 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:21 a.m. ET Thursday; 5:20 a.m. ET Friday
Poor Kuch. After years of playing top-level golf, the story most will remember is about a caddie payment and the most lasting image just might be that of him sitting in the middle of Royal Birkdale’s 13th fairway while playing partner Jordan Spieth received a ruling that would ultimately help him win the Claret Jug.
That remains his closest call at a major, but Kuchar is playing some of the best golf of his life this year and it could be sweet justice if he turned a controversy-filled season into his first major championship. — Jason Sobel
Bryson DeChambeau British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 40-1
- DFS Pricing: $9,200 DraftKings; $10,600 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:58 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:59 a.m. ET Friday
DeChambeau is on my card at +4500. I added him back in January, when I was expecting a big year for Bryson. But that hasn’t really come to fruition. The form has returned recently, though, as he finished runner-up in his last start at the 3M Open. So while his game seems to be heading in the right direction, he's still trying to figure out the majors. He has yet to finish inside the top 10 in 13 starts. — Joshua Perry
Paul Casey 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 50-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,300 DraftKings; $9,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:09 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:10 a.m. ET Friday
If it’s a major or just any big field, you can bet Casey is going to be overlooked. That’s true yet again this week, as he’s only $8,300 on DraftKings and is offering solid top-20 odds. That said, he’s historically struggled at British Opens: He finished T-11 in 2017, but that was his only finish inside the top 51 since 2010.
He’s theoretically a good fit for the tournament. He ranks first in Total Driving this season, and his Recent Adjusted Round Score is the eighth-best mark in the field after a 21st at the U.S. Open and a fifth at the Travelers. He displayed his usual accuracy in those tournaments, and he had a win not too long ago. The upside may not be there for a major victory, but I think he’s a solid DFS play in tournaments if you want to take a balanced approach. — Bryan Mears
Tony Finau British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 80-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,800 DraftKings; $9,800 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:47 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:48 a.m. ET Friday
When you think of links players, you don’t think of Finau, but he’s managed to make all three cuts in his three Open Championship appearances.
He’s also underpriced on DraftKings relative to his skillset considering he's priced as the No. 26 golfer on DraftKings, but Finau has the 16th-best Long-Term Adjusted Round Score in the field. He won't make my cash game teams because there are some Euros in this range I'll be targeting, but I'll have some exposure to him in tournaments. — Justin Bailey
Graeme McDowell British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 50-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,900 DraftKings; $9,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:14 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:15 a.m. ET Friday
I'm intrigued by a lot of Euros heading into the Open Championship.
Despite missing his past two cuts at the Irish and Scottish Open, McDowell is one of those players who has my interest. He's made 10-of-14 cuts in his Open appearances, and he’s also a member at Portrush, so he’ll head into this tournament with some knowledge of the course already.
He’ll fit well into balanced builds on DraftKings at $7,800, and I’ll be looking to target him in any matchup if whoever he is paired with is exploitable. — Justin Bailey
Phil Mickelson British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 100-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,500 DraftKings; $9,800 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 7:52 a.m. ET Thursday; 12: 53 p.m. ET Friday
Phil’s game has been in shambles since winning at Pebble in the winter. In 12 starts, he’s missed six cuts and the best result was T18 at The Masters.
I have no desire to bet Phil anywhere.
The Open has been his worst major. Despite the win, he has only four top 10s in 25 starts. He’ll be a guy to fade if we get some decent matchup odds. –Joshua Perry
Gary Woodland 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 50-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,200 DraftKings; $10,000 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:09 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:10 a.m. ET Friday
Woodland has been inside the top eight in three of his last four majors, including a win last month at the U.S. Open. It’s hard to knock his recent play, and the data backs that up. He’s top-15 in the field in Recent Adjusted Round Score, and he’s second in Total Driving and 17th in Strokes Gained: Approach this year.
That said, the results at past British Opens have been uninspiring to say the least, and he’s been fairly boom-or-bust with his accuracy off the tee and especially the short game. The putter is always hit-or-miss with him, and recently he’s really struggled to scramble well, which could be important depending on the weather here. He’ll likely be a bit over-owned in DFS, and he’s not someone I’m looking to bet given his history at Opens, so I’ll pass on exposure this week. — Bryan Mears
Marc Leishman British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 60-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,700 DraftKings; $9,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:26 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:25 a.m. ET Friday
When the turf is firm and the wind is blowing, Leishman’s stock rises immensely.
A noted low-ball hitter from his formative years growing up in the windy Australian town of Warrnambool, his game matches up nicely with usual Open conditions, which explains his three top-six finishes in the past five years.
Matt Wallace British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 50-1
- DFS Pricing: $8,100 DraftKings; $9,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:10 a.m. ET Thursday; 5:09 a.m. ET Friday
Expect the Englishman to be a very trendy pick — and for good reason.
Wallace finished T-3 at the PGA Championship and T-12 at the U.S. Open. Now the four-time European Tour winner is back on more familiar territory and should be even more comfortable.
Keep in mind, though, that the ascendancy of this 24th-ranked golfer in the world has happened quickly. So quickly that he’s only competed in a single Open Championship previously, missing the cut last year.
Shane Lowry British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 80-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,900 DraftKings; $9,800 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 2:52 a.m. ET Thursday; 7:53 a.m. ET Friday
Lowry hasn't made the cut at an Open Championship since 2014. While that’s concerning, he’s entering this tournament in solid form, finishing 34th, 28th, second, eighth and third over his past five starts. However, Lowry has been gaining most of his strokes with his short game and putter over that time frame.
I’d rather target someone who is striking the ball well and not relying on his short game, especially since Lowry typically isn’t the best around the greens as he’s saved for par just 52.4% of the time over the past 75 weeks. –Justin Bailey
Ian Poulter 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 80-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,700 DraftKings; $9,500 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:03 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:04 p.m. ET Friday
Poulter has been a popular Open Championship sleeper forever now. His best chance to win a major came in this event in 2008 when he was in the mix late on Sunday before Padraig Harrington pulled away.
I don’t really have much of feel for him this week, though.
If a player I’m actively looking to fade gets matched up with him, I have no problem betting him. But I’m not going out of my way to get action on or against him this week. — Joshua Perry
Tyrrell Hatton British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 100-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,400 DraftKings; $9,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 7:42 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:41 a.m. ET Friday
You know, for as much baseless criticism that Jon Rahm receives for his on-course temper — and how it might be preventing him from winning a major — we rarely hear it about in regard to Hatton, who can hothead with the best of ‘em.
While it’s surprising that Hatton’s career includes just three total victories, it should be noted that two of ‘em, in 2016 and 2017, came at the Dunhill Links Championship, played on three courses which should all correlate well to any in the Open Championship rota.
Patrick Reed 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 60-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,400 DraftKings; $9,600 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:10 a.m. ET Thursday; 4:09 a.m. ET Friday
Reed doesn’t have a top-10 Open performance in his career, although he doesn’t seem to be a terrible fit for a bad-weather week given his low apex height off the tee.
The issue with Reed has usually been his approach shots into the wind: He's lost strokes in that regard in his past 21 windy rounds.
Reed has always had a good short game, and he’s in solid form right now, but he’s 115th in the field in Long-Term Adjusted Round Score and 84th in Long-Term Driving Accuracy. As usual, he’ll have to be excellent with the putter in order to hang around, and that’s tough to bet on. — Bryan Mears
Zach Johnson British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 150-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,200 DraftKings; $8,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:47 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:48 a.m. ET Friday
Johnson has been impressive in Open Championships, making 12-of-15 cuts, with his three missed cuts happening in his first three appearances from 2004 to 2006.
Overall, he's put together eight top-25 finishes and three top-10s at these tournaments. He's been incredibly consistent at these majors, which makes him worth of tournament exposure in DFS, but I won’t overexpose myself to him because he hasn't been great during his 2019 season with just two top-25 finishes this year. — Justin Bailey
Webb Simpson 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 100-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,600 DraftKings; $9,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:14 a.m. ET Thursday; 1:15 p.m. ET Friday
Webb is a guy who I’m not really looking to get involved with this week. He’s consistently found his way to the weekend, making six of seven cuts at the Open.
But once there, he’s never worked his way into the top 10 and finished inside the top 35 only twice. The form is good though. He’s missed only one cut in 13 months, so he might be a nice made-cut bet or DFS cash game option. — Joshua Perry
Kevin Kisner British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 125-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,300 DraftKings; $9,000 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:20 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:21 a.m. ET Friday
His trending profile at this tournament trended way up last year, as he went from missing the cut in his first start to a 76th, then a 54th, then a share of second place.
This year, his performance has been good, but not great, winning the WGC-Dell Match Play Championship, but failing to finish better than 15th in any stroke-play event, despite missing only two cuts.
It’s not just commendable that he opted to play the Scottish Open last week; it should serve as solid prep for this week, even though he narrowly missed the cut.
Bubba Watson 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 150-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,200 DraftKings; $9,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 1:41 a.m. ET Thursday; 6:42 a.m. ET Friday
Bubba isn’t too tough to figure out: Buy him at Augusta and the other courses he loves; sell him at the other majors and PGA events.
He’s missed three of his past five cuts at the British, and he’s never been inside the top 20 in his 10 appearances. Bubba is definitely not a guy to back on links courses, as his Strokes Gained marks are much worse there than other courses.
And he’s in terrible form right now, most notably missing the cut at a middling event in the Rocket Mortgate Classic. He hit just 63.9% of his greens and 53.6% of his fairways.
Perhaps he will surprise if the wind gets so bad that it negates his disadvantages, but if not I will be actively fading Watson in all markets. — Bryan Mears
Matt Fitzpatrick British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 80-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,600 DraftKings; $9,500 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 2:30 a.m. ET Thursday; 7:31 a.m. ET Friday
He’s been solid this year, with a runner-up on each major tour, but no wins yet for the first time in five years.
The good news about Fitz is that he owns the talent and mentality to put his game into a different gear and go really low, as evidenced by low rounds of 67 at the Masters, 65 at the PGA Championship and 68 at the U.S. Open.
The bad news is that he can blow up in the same situations, as his high rounds in those same three majors this year were 78, 76 and 72, respectively.
Rafa Cabrera Bello British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 80-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,500 DraftKings; $9,300 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 2:41 a.m. ET Thursday; 7:42 a.m. ET Friday
RCB is one of my favorite plays on DraftKings. He's made six of his seven cuts in his Open Championship appearances, and he hasn’t missed a cut since The Players Championship back in March.
RCB is coming off a top-10 finish at the Scottish Open, and I'll be putting some weight into players who played in that event leading up to the Open. — Justin Bailey
Branden Grace 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,300 DraftKings; $9,200 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 7:52 a.m. ET Thursday; 12: 53 p.m. ET Friday
Grace has the lone 62 at a major and it came in the Open Championship. But his recent form has been abysmal. He doesn’t have a top-50 finish in an event since the WGC Match Play in March.
We have to go back even further to February in the WGC Mexico event to find a top 50 in a stroke play event. I’ll be steering clear of him. — Joshua Perry
Brandt Snedeker 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 125-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,400 DraftKings; $9,200 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:37 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:36 a.m. ET Friday
Sneds has had some really solid finishes at the Masters and U.S. Open, but he’s been unspiring at the Open and PGA Championship.
He missed last year’s cut at the British, and he’s been inside the top 10 just once in his career.
Hitting greens will be important on this links course, and Snedeker ranks 115th in Long-Term Greens in Regulation and 72nd in the field in the short term. This week, I won’t be buying him in DFS or betting. — Bryan Mears
Haotong Li 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 150-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,300 DraftKings; $9,000 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:25 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:26 p.m. ET Friday
Haotong was an early add to the card this winter at 150-1. The form has been fine for Li but nothing to get overly excited about heading into the final major.
He hasn’t missed a cut since the Players Championship in March and he’s recorded a couple of top 10s on the European Tour in that time. The Open is the one spot he’s popped up at a major so far early in his career, finishing third in 2017. –Joshua Perry
Thomas Pieters 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,000 DraftKings; $8,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 6:42 a.m. ET Thursday; 1:41 a.m. ET Friday
Pieters is yet another Euro golfer who actually sets up better for PGA courses than links-style venues. He has distance, but he’s typically erratic with his driver: He ranks 124th in this week’s field in Long-Term Driving Accuracy.
His recent form is also concerning: He finished 20th at the Scottish last week, but prior to that he missed his past three cuts.
Maybe last week was an indication of the success he can have: He hit a ridiculous 81.9% of his greens. But that seems likely to regress. He’s not rating highly for me at all. — Bryan Mears
Eddie Pepperell British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 100-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,600 DraftKings; $9,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 2:41 a.m. ET Thursday; 7:42 a.m. ET Friday
The best tweeter in golf recently took a pronounced break from competitive play, remaining sidelined for seven weeks to rest a back injury.
That news in itself would be cause for concern, except for the fact that he returned to a fourth-place finish at the Irish Open on July 7.
Last year’s T-6 at Carnoustie was Pepperell’s first top-10 at a major and proved he can hang with the big boys. Should that back injury be fully healed while playing a third straight week, expect some solid scores once again.
Alex Noren 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 150-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,300 DraftKings; $9,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:01 a.m. ET Thursday; 1:04 p.m. ET Friday
Noren hasn’t found his game this year. He doesn’t have a top 10 in 2019 and finished outside the top 50 in the first three majors this year.
He has just two top 10s in 25 majors, but both were at the Open, so he has the ability to randomly pop up on the leaderboard here. If this was any other major, I’d probably look to fade him, but because he has that random ability to show up here, I’ll just steer clear. — Joshua Perry
Lucas Bjerregaard British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 250-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,800 DraftKings; $8,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:48 a.m. ET Thursday; 4:47 a.m. ET Friday
Bjerragaard won’t make any of my DFS lineups or betting cards for the Open Championship. He’s entering this tournament in abysmal form, missing five straight cuts, including a MC at the Scottish Open this past weekend.
He's also an awful scrambler, as he's saved par on just 43.1% of holes that he's missed the green, and his 30.2 putts per round rank among the worst in the field. — Justin Bailey
Thorbjorn Olesen 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 150-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,300 DraftKings; $8,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 6:53 a.m. ET Thursday; 1:52 a.m. ET Friday
The 29-year-old Dane has seen his fair share of links courses on the European Tour, but he’s been an up-and-down performer at the Open.
He finished T9 in his second appearance in 2012 but didn’t get inside the top 60 again until last year, when he finished T12.
He’s actually more of a PGA-style golfer, and he ranks just 119th in the field in Driving Accuracy. He doesn't have the form, and I don’t love the course fit, so I’ll stay away this week. — Bryan Mears
Keegan Bradley British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,000 DraftKings; $8,800 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:59 a.m. ET Thursday; 4:58 a.m. ET Friday
Keegs is an excellent ball-striker, and he’s had some success at Open Championships, but he’s not somebody I’ll be investing in this week.
I don’t think he’s worth a longshot bet, especially since he’s a high-ball hitter, ranking fourth in average height in 2019. That won’t mix well if the wind is howling at Portrush. — Justin Bailey
Jim Furyk 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,100 DraftKings; $8,600 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 10:31 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:32 p.m. ET Friday
The usually consistent Furyk has been pretty hit and miss at Opens in the past. He’s missed seven cuts, his most of any major, in 21 starts. But he also has five top-five finishes in the event.
I’ll be steering clear in all formats though. I don’t really want to get cash involved with him anyway. I just see him as a guy who hovers around the cutline for a couple of days. — Joshua Perry
Si Woo Kim British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 150-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,700 DraftKings; $8,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:31 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:32 a.m. ET Friday
Kim is heads to Royal Portrush in terrible form, missing eight of his last nine cuts, including a missed cut at the Scottish Open. Most worrisome is the fact that he's struggled in every aspect of his game over his past 24 rounds, ranking 104th in total strokes gained (Fantasy National). — Justin Bailey
Russell Knox British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,100 DraftKings; $8,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:25 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:26 a.m. ET Friday
Knox ranks 24th in Strokes Gained: Approach over his past 24 rounds (Fantasy National), so he’s in decent form at the moment. But I’m looking for a combination of players who are in good form and who’ve done well at Open Championships in the past.
Knox fits the criteria of good form, despite the missed the cut at the Scottish Open, but he has missed three of four cuts in his Open Championship appearances. — Justin Bailey
Aaron Wise British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 250-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,900 DraftKings; $8,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:15 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:14 a.m. ET Friday
After missing the cut in his first three major championship starts, Wise cashed paychecks in the first three this year, which suggests he’s learning a thing or two about playing majors.
That could be a byproduct of practice rounds with Brooks Koepka, who said prior to the U.S. Open: "I think he's super talented and he can learn a lot. … Watching Aaron hit the ball, it's super impressive. He's going to be super talented when he figures it out and understands his game. I think he's going to be a hell of a player." — Jason Sobel
Byeong Hun An British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,00 DraftKings; $8,800 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 6:47 a.m. ET Thursday; 1:46 a.m. ET Friday
An has been striking the ball well in 2019, but he’s tapered off over his last 24 rounds, ranking just 52nd in Strokes Gained: Approach per Fantasy National.
Additionally, I think his putting will likely hold him back at this tournament. He’s been one of the worst putters on tour this year, ranking 115th in Strokes Gained: Putting. — Justin Bailey
Billy Horschel 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,900 DraftKings; $8,200 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 7:15 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:14 a.m. ET Friday
Horschel has missed four of his five career Open appearances, and the data says he’s one of the worst links players on tour.
Those are not great marks in his favor, but his long-term metrics are solid, and he’s been playing really good golf this year, missing just one total cut. He’s been inside the top 25 in four of his past five events.
I likely won’t buy him in DFS or betting given his poor course fit, but I likely won’t actively fade him given his recent play. — Bryan Mears
Sungjae Im 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 150-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,000 DraftKings; $8,700 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:03 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:04 p.m. ET Friday
The Open rookie is still looking for that first win on Tour. He’s been on the card recently and the form seems to be trending in the right direction.
He might be worth a look at a top 20 play, but I’m not looking to get too much involved this week. The Open tends to favor the tour vets more so than the young guns. — Joshua Perry
Charley Hoffman 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 250-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,700 DraftKings; $8,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 1:35 a.m. ET Thursday; 6:36 a.m. ET Friday
Charley doesn’t really do much for me this week. He’s missed his last four cuts entering the event, so the recent form is awful. He’s also never really done much in majors. He’s got just two top-10s and seven top-25s in 32 starts. He’s a guy I see hovering near the cut line, but not doing much else if he does make the weekend. — Joshua Perry
Emiliano Grillo 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,100 DraftKings; $8,000 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 6:46 a.m. ET Thursday; 11:47 a.m. ET Friday
I’ve backed Grillo on and off this year, but I'm in no rush to bet on him this week. He’s missed only three cuts in his last 41 starts, so the game has been consistent enough to reach the weekend.
One of those three, however, was last year’s Open. His game is in decent form, so he’s not a player I’m really looking to fade, but back-to-back MCs at the Open give me pause on backing him. — Joshua Perry
Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 300-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,800 DraftKings; $8,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 3:03 a.m. ET Thursday; 8:04 a.m. ET Friday
Here's Aphibarnrat’s history at the Open: MC, MC, MC, MC, T75.
http://wp-pressidium.actionnetwork.com/wp-admin/edit.phpHe’s 134th in the field in Long-Term Adjusted Round Score, and he’s entering this tough tournament in awful form, missing his past three cuts and four of his past five.
He’s also been one of the worst players in the wind, which could be a factor in Ireland this week. Given all of those data points, I think it’s wise to fade Aphibarnrat in matchup props if you can find them. — Bryan Mears
Luke List 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 300-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,700 DraftKings; $8,200 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:42 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:43 a.m. ET Friday
I’ll be passing on List in every format. He’s missed his last four cuts after a sixth-place finish at bomber-friendly Bethpage. He made the cut last year in his Open debut, but the form was in much better shape. If I find a missed-cut option at plus money, he’ll probably make my list for that prop bet. — Joshua Perry
Bernd Wiesberger British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 80-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,100 DraftKings
- Tee Times: 4:25 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:26 a.m. ET Friday
One of the last players to qualify for The Open a few weeks ago, thanks to a share of second place at the Irish Open, Wiesberger has been trending in the right direction for about a month and a half, ever since winning in Denmark for his first title in more than two years.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that the Austrian has never finished better than 15th place in 20 career major starts. At 33, though, the talented ball-striker might just now be entering his true prime years. — Jason Sobel
Jimmy Walker 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 300-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,600 DraftKings; $8,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 4:31 a.m. ET Thursday; 9:32 a.m. ET Friday
Walker is a major winner, taking down the 2016 PGA Championship, but he has failed to get inside the top 25 in any Open appearance in his career.
He’s not a great fit for links-style golf courses, ranking 130th in the field in Long-Term Greens in Regulation and 121st in Long-Term Driving Accuracy.
His recent form is also terrible — he’s missed three of his past four cuts — so I’ll be looking to bet against him in head-to-head matchups. — Bryan Mears
Adam Hadwin 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 200-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,900 DraftKings; $8,500 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:37 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:36 a.m. ET Friday
Hadwin didn’t have much going for himself early in 2019, but he seems to have found his game with a couple top-10s in his last three events. He could end up being a decent number to finish inside the top 20 and worth a look at that, but I’m not really looking at him for much else. — Joshua Perry
Joost Luiten 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 300-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,800 DraftKings; $7,900 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 9:15 a.m. ET Thursday; 4:14 a.m. ET Friday
Luiten really hasn’t been at his best this year. We were lucky to cash a bet on him to top-20 at Valderrama a couple weeks ago. That’s a course he’s played well at regardless of form, but even there, he struggled to find his usual success.
He’s not shown the ability yet to contend in majors. He has only one top-25 in 17 starts and has missed eight cuts. I just don’t see a reason to back him this week. — Joshua Perry
Chez Reavie 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 125-1
- DFS Pricing: $7,100 DraftKings; $9,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:48 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:47 a.m. ET Friday
Chez has been missing cuts or contending for the last couple of months with no in between. He’s got a couple missed cuts sandwiching a win and third-place finish in his last four starts. He’s made only two trips to the Open, missing the cut both times. I could see myself adding him to the MC prop card if he’s offered at plus money, but I’m not looking to do much more than that with him. — Joshua Perry
Lucas Glover 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 250-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,500 DraftKings; $8,300 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 8:15 a.m. ET Thursday; 3:14 a.m. ET Friday
Glover hasn’t played in an Open since 2013, and his career performance in this major isn’t great. He’s missed the cut in four of his eight appearances, and he’s finished inside the top 25 just once.
His Long-Term Greens in Regulation mark (75th) suggests he will struggle to contend on an accuracy-style course. On the plus side, he’s been good lately, finishing in the top 10 in his past two events coming into the week.
But those events were at super-easy PGA courses. Royal Portrush will present a different challenge. I’m not buying it. — Bryan Mears
Nate Lashley British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 300-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,300 DraftKings; $8,400 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 5:53 a.m. ET Thursday; 10:54 a.m. ET Friday
While Lashley is in decent form, ranking 14th in Strokes Gained: Approach (Fantasy National) over his last 24 rounds, he’s not someone I am looking to invest in since he has never played at an Open Championship event.
I’d prefer a combination of recent form and experience in these tournaments. — Justin Bailey
Kyle Stanley 2019 British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 300-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,700 DraftKings; $8,300 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 3:36 a.m. ET Thursday; 8:37 a.m. ET Friday
Stanley had a rough start to the year, but worked his way out of it and is back to consistently making the cut on the PGA Tour.
He’s still yet to find a top-20 in a major though 19 starts, so he doesn’t really offer much upside for betting purposes, but he’s also in decent enough form that we can’t expect a missed cut when we fade him either. So I’ll probably just stay away. — Joshua Perry
Keith Mitchell British Open Odds
- Odds to Win British Open: 500-1
- DFS Pricing: $6,500 DraftKings; $8,100 FanDuel
- Tee Times: 7:24 a.m. ET Thursday; 2:41 a.m. ET Friday
Mitchell’s game has taken a turn for the worst following his win at the Honda Classic and his sixth-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Over his last 24 rounds, he ranks just 103rd in Strokes Gained: Approach and 108th in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (Fantasy National). Not to mention he’s never played at an Open Championship before. The combination of poor form and no experience is not someone I want to invest money in. — Justin Bailey
