All of the top players in the world are in Scotland this week for the 2016 Open Championship. The home of golf is ready to welcome the world’s elite and Royal Troon Golf Club is ready as well.
The betting favorites this week are to no surprise, the four top ranked players in the world. Jason Day +725, Dustin Johnson +900, Jordan Spieth +850 and Rory McIlroy +750. Day is determined to win a Claret Jug after coming so close last year, Spieth is always a factor, McIlroy has a Claret Jug and never can be counted out and Johnson is the hottest player on the planet, winning in his last two starts, oh yah, the first being the U.S. Open. If I were to pick one of the four, Johnson is my pick. He’s finally figured it all out and that is scary for the rest of the competition.
Also scheduled to compete include reigning Masters champion Danny Willett +6000, 2013 Open winner Phil Mickelson+3590, Sergio Garcia +2375, Adam Scott +2150, Justin Rose +2350 and Henrik Stenson +3275.
Royal Troon is the host track this week. The par 71 layout will play host for the ninth time, debuting in 1923. The course runs along the Firth of Clyde on the western shore of central Scotland. The last six champions at Troon are Americans who had won previously in the same year.
The last time to Open Championship was played at Royal Troon, Todd Hamilton was the winner. Twenty seven golfers in this week’s field of 156 were here in 2004. Fifteen made the cut, including three players that were in the top five; Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood. Troon is officially 15 yards longer on the scorecard at 7,190 yards but the course is the same, the only thing that could be different is the forecast. The weather could get dicey, wind and rain is in the forecast. Some experts are predicting weather similar to the 1973 Open Championship at Royal Troon where it rained for four days and the wind created havoc.
TV Schedule: Thursday-Friday, 1:30 a.m.-4 p.m. ET - Golf Channel. Saturday, 4-7 a.m. GC; 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. - NBC. Sunday, 4-7 a.m. GC; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. - NBC.
Current 2016 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Golf Odds at BookMaker Sportsbook:
Jason Day +725
Dustin Johnson +900
Rory McIlroy +750
Jordan Spieth +850
Adam Scott +2150
Henrik Stenson +3275
Justin Rose +2350
Rickie Fowler +2500
Sergio Garcia +2375
Danny Willett +6000
Branden Grace +2250
Hideki Matsuyama +3800
Phil Mickelson +3590
Louis Oosthuizen +3595
Shane Lowry +3055
Lee Westwood +3052
Matthew Fitzpatrick +6450
Charl Schwartzel +6650
Brandt Snedeker +5250
Bubba Watson +6250
Martin Kaymer +5450
Jimmy Walker +10000
Paul Casey +4850
Zach Johnson +5500
Byeong Hun An +16450
Graeme McDowell +8050
Jim Furyk +5305
Marc Leishman +5450
Matt Kuchar +6450
Patrick Reed +5500
Russell Knox +8250
Chris Wood +7000
Ernie Els +12050
Justin Thomas +13550
Harris English +24000
Thorbjorn Olesen +13050
Victor Dubuisson +30000
Andy Sullivan +6000
Emiliano Grillo +16050
J.B. Holmes +23000
Jamie Donaldson +27500
Jason Dufner +16450
Kevin Chappell +15300
Padraig Harrington +7000
Rafa Cabrera-Bello +9550
Scott Piercy +6000
Thongchai Jaidee +15050
Bill Haas +23500
Francesco Molinari +11250
Joost Luiten +15050
Kevin Kisner +22500
Kiradech Aphibarnrat +22500
Robert Streb +35000
Thomas Pieters +12550
Billy Horschel +14350
David Lingmerth +13350
Charley Hoffman +17500
Chris Kirk +23500
Danny Lee +8550
Gary Woodland +21550
Alex Noren +9000
Jon Rahm +21000
William McGirt +22500
George Coetzee +30000
Soren Kjeldsen +16650
Keegan Bradley +30000
Kevin Na +21000
Marc Warren +31500
Matt Jones +22500
Paul Dunne +22050
Ross Fisher +35000
Russell Henley +31500
Ryan Moore +30000
Ryan Palmer +32500
Webb Simpson +27500
Tommy Fleetwood +17500
Richard Sterne +20250
K.T. Kim +25250
Greg Chalmers +22500
ODDS ANALYSIS
GRAEME MCDOWELL +6050 is a major champion and even though it’s been a long time and he only has one, I think the veteran has one more major in him. This course sets up good for his game. He drives the ball in play and his ball flight will pay dividends this week in the tricky, Scottish winds. He grew up playing in these kind of conditions and is poised to contend this week.
ANDY SULLIVAN +6000 has been one of the biggest movers on the betting board. The jovial Englishman opened at +16000 and moved all the way down to the current number of +6000. He’s played well the past few weeks with a T5 in France and a T6 last week at the Scottish Open. He is a sleeper play for the savvy gamer.
BYEONG HUN AN +16450 is a bargain at this number and offers gamers the best VALUE on the board.
FADES
Something is wrong with JUSTIN ROSE +2350. He’s been battling a bad back and even had to withdraw from a few events in the past month or so. Back issues are a real concern in the game of golf and can go out on any given swing. Until I see him playing four consecutive good rounds at a high level, I’m fading the wilted Rose. The risk outweighs the reward.
BUBBA WATSON +6250 is in a big time slump and hasn’t contended since the West Coast swing. When is the last time you saw Watson at +6250, never. The bookmakers know that he is struggling which is really all you need to know. Do not waste your pick on Bubba - he doesn’t like it over there and doesn’t play well in adverse conditions.
BookMaker Sportsbook offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. The Open Championship is scheduled for July 14-17, 2016. Royal Troon will host the event and NBC and the Golf Channel will televise the event live.
