2021 British Open Odds Tee Up Jon Rahm As The Favorite

Will anyone catch Jon Rahm?

As the Open Championship returns for the first time in two years, that’s the question on the minds of Colorado golf bettors.

The Spaniard won his first Major Championship at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in June. Now he’s looking to make it two-for-two when he tees off on Thursday at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich for the British Open.

There’s no doubt that Rahm, the No. 1 player in the world, is the betting favorite for the last Major of the year. And based on the Colorado golf betting odds, he’s a big favorite.

But with links courses, always expect the unexpected.

Open Championship odds

The most likely scenario is Rahm wins the Claret Jug.

He’s been the best and most consistent player on the PGA Tour this season. And his play the last few months is indicative of those two facts. At this point, Rahm has no weakness in his game. His drives, iron play and putting have been top notch.

He’ll need that if he wants to win the Open Championship.

After Rahm’s +700, the top five at DraftKings Sportsbook in Colorado, as of Tuesday (odds are subject to change):

Jordan Spieth +1,400
Brooks Koepka +1,600
Dustin Johnson +1,800
Xander Schauffele +1,800
Rory McIlroy +1,800
Justin Thomas +2,000
Colin Morikawa +2,500
Louis Oosthuizen +2,500

Quick note on these odds: On Monday, Speith was at +1,800 and Johnson was +2,200. The fact the odds adjusted is a sign bettors were on those markets and DraftKings adjusted to lessen its potential liability.

British Open contenders

In terms of the market, the best play right now based on the odds is probably Oosthuizen.

Up until his final four holes of the U.S. Open, the South African did an incredible job of keeping the pressure on Rahm.

Obviously, it didn’t end the way Oosthuizen would have liked, but if you’re looking for someone to snatch the Claret Jug from Rahm, he’s your guy.

You would also think at some point, Oosthuizen will break through and win his second Major. Fittingly, his lone Major victory came at the Open Championship in 2010.

His second-place finish at the U.S. Open was his sixth at a Major Championship. He joins Ernie Els, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Gary Player and Harry Vardon with six runner-up finishes. The most ever is Jack Nicklaus with 19.

McIlroy is always a favorite for golf bettors, and at +1,800, has a decent market. The Irish golfer hasn’t won a Major since 2014 and finished a distant seventh at the U.S. Open.

One name to keep an eye on is Johnson. Rahm took the No. 1 ranking from him after the U.S. Open and he hasn’t looked himself since a good start to the season. Is this the week Johnson finds his game?

Possible longshots

Since the 2020 Open Championship didn’t happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shane Lowry is your defending British Open champion.

As others have noted, the lowkey Irish golfer came out of nowhere to win in 2019. The online sportsbooks in Colorado don’t give him much of a chance this year, so perhaps he could pull a repeat.

Lowry comes in at +4,000 odds, and if you’re looking for a longshot, that’s a really good market if you feel Lowry could defend his title.

Obviously this list has to include Bryson DeChambeau. While his game wilted at the U.S. Open, his +3,000 to win the Open Championship are odds to at least contemplate. And he did just win The Match while partnering with Aaron Rodgers, so perhaps that could boost his confidence heading into Sandwich. DeChambeau’s caddy situation is something to think about as well.

For a flyer on a “real longshot,” Rickie Fowler is a name to consider. As the New York Post points out, we could be seeing a rejuvenated Fowler who seems to be finding his form after a tough 18-month stretch. Fowler is at +8,000 right now at DraftKings.

And based on who he is (and his market), Phil Mickelson is always a golfer bettors will play. The winner of the PGA Championship sits at +8,000. On Monday, Mickelson was at +10,000.

Previous British Open champions

One strategy for some Colorado sports bettors is previous winners.

Not including Lowery, here are the winners since 2010 with odds from DraftKings:

2018: Francesco Molinari +13,000 (was +17,500)
2017: Jordan Speith +1,400
2016: Henrik Stenson +25,000
2015: Zach Johnson (not playing)
2014: Rory McIlroy +1,800
2013: Phil Mickelson +8,000
2012: Ernie Els +40,000 (was +50,000)
2011: Darren Clarke +50,000 (was +100,000)
2010: Louis Oosthuizen +2,500

Open Championship prop bets

If you’re not into betting the outright winner, top five or top 10, golf prop bets are always fun. And there are a lot of options to chose from. Top lefty, top former winner, and golfer props.

Obviously, there’s the Hole in One props.

The market depends on the sportsbook, but at the BetMGM Colorado sportsbook, there are options for a hole in one in all four rounds. Rounds one and two are at +400, while rounds three and four are +700.

At DraftKings, there are hole in one props for specific holes over the course of the tournament, and hole in one props for players. Every golfer in the field is at +8,000.