Golf’s final tournament of the year is set to begin with The Open returning to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, for the first time since 2014.
Where is the bet? Will favorites prevail? Our golf and betting experts break down everything you need to know to bet on the 2023 Championship.
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Expert picks to win | The bet chooses the value to win | Prospects for outstanding golfers | props and more
Expert picks
Matt Barry, ESPN
winner: Rickie Fowler: His game, his belief and his bravado have found that he once again belongs among the world’s elite players. After competing in the US Open, Ricky won the Rocket Mortgage a few weeks later. The golf gods want Ricky to win a major championship. so do i.
Torrey Barron, ESPN.com
winner: Brooks Koepka: I know what you’re thinking… did you actually pick three majors in a row? Yes, I did. It’s called hitting play. The PGA Championship winner will persevere against all odds (read: slow paced play by Patrick Cantlay) to secure the Claret Jug and our second win of the season.
Elizabeth Pugh, ESPN.com
winner: Jordan Spieth: I’m going to end this year’s majors by choosing Spieth again. He feels lively in the UK – his adaptable game and creative shot-making just works the links courses. (Yes, you watched the Scottish Open.) Since his debut at the World Open in 2013, he’s been 9-for-9 and four finishes in the top 10.
Michael Collins, ESPN
winner: John Rahm: Ah quietly how the third player in the world comes to the British Open. He will win because he is fresher than everyone else. More importantly, now that Green has a jacket in his locker, the pressure to win this year’s major has slipped off his back.
Michael Ives, ESPN
winner: Scotty Scheffler: He hasn’t finished outside the top 5 since April! Nobody plays better and more consistently from tee to green than him. He overdid it for another win, and this week is that week for the runner-up.
Peter Lawrence-Riddle, ESPN.com
winner: John Rahm: Ram hasn’t been in his best form since winning the Masters in April, including missing his last event (The Travelers). But he finished T10 in the US Open. The win would make him the first player to win two majors in the same season since Brooks Koepka in 2018 and the first player to win The Masters and The Open titles in the same season since Tiger Woods in 2005.
Andy North, ESPN
winner: Scotty Scheffler: Scotty was really close. He’s had a top 5 finish in his last 7 games.
Mark Schlapbach, ESPN.com
winner: Rory McIlroy: It certainly isn’t the first time I’ve picked McIlroy to end his nearly nine-year drought without a major championship. But could the timing be better for him? He did win the Scottish Open. He will return to Royal Liverpool Golf Club, where he won the 2014 Open Championship, the last time he played there. He has performed six top ten in a row. If not now then when?
Curtis Strange, ESPN
winner: Rory McIlroy: I have to go with Rory. He won last week, a former champ, great talent and people picking, which always helps.
Paolo Augiti, ESPN.com
winner: Scotty Scheffler: I find it unbelievable to begin to think of a world where Scotty Scheffler has his year in 2023 and somehow doesn’t win a major this year. Statistically, Scheffler is having his best hitting season since 2006’s Tiger Woods, but his bat has prevented him from winning at least one major round and several other events. The 2022 Masters winner seems like a guarantee for the top 10 no matter what comes out this week, but I take it as good enough to win.
Scott Van Pelt, ESPN
winner: Rickie Fowler: The trend is our friend. Close in Los Angeles. He won in Detroit. He played well on this course finishing T2 in ’14. Seems to check a lot of boxes.
The bet chooses the value to win
Our betting experts give you picks to win based on value. We look at the betting board and tell you who has the best chance of cashing in your ticket.
Hideki Matsuyama (+6000)
Joe Fortnough: His driver has been a bit of a problem this season, but Matsuyama can leave this club in the bag for much of his stay at Royal Liverpool. And if this guy gets that part of his game under control, watch out. Matsuyama is currently 18th on the tour in Strokes Gained: tee-to-green and has finished 8th in Strokes Gained: tee-to-green in all three majors this season.
Min Woo Lee (+6000)
Tyler Fulghum: The young Australian has had five consecutive top-40 finishes, including two top-10s, and has won before in his career in a ties tournament. On a course where the driver is often a club, Lee can count on a 2/3 iron that he can hit as often as many tour players hit their driver.
Odds of winning The Open 2023
props and more
Our betting experts have more than just bets to win. Here are a few props to aim for for the entire event, from top 10 items to championship game cuts.. Tommy Fleetwood Top-20 (115+) 4 Match Rounds: Corey Connors (-120) defeated Ryan Fox
fulgum: Fleetwood has struggled to shut down tournaments this year, but has been playing some remarkably consistent golf. One of the best ties players in the entire world, Fleetwood has finished 4th, 33rd, 2nd, 12th and 27th in his last five matches at the Open Championship.
Fortenbaugh: Conners has posted top 30 finishes in both of his recent Open Championships and currently ranks 11th on the tour in strokes earned: close to the green, and he has made five top 20s in his last seven starts overall. Fox’s Open championship resume looks a bit different, as his six starts have resulted in two missed stories and only one finish inside the top 35.