Golf Odds: Free-For-All at 2017 British Open

The 2017 Open Championship, aka the British Open, begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. This major has produced nine different winners over the past nine years, and the odds board for this year’s tournament promises another highly competitive contest. Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler are +1400 co-favorites at press time; Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm are close behind at +1600, followed by Sergio Garcia at +1800.

Because the Open is regularly held on links-style courses, golfers with European Tour experience tend to outperform their PGA Tour brethren. Spieth tied for fourth at this event during his magical 2015 season, but has struggled to recapture that glory. Fowler has likewise failed to live up to his breakthrough 2014 campaign, although he is coming off a fifth-place tie at the US Open.

Johnson remains No. 1 on the World Golf Ranking, but his game has been off since he hurt his back just before the Masters in April. With all this chaos, a proven winner like 2010 Open champ Louis Oosthuizen (+5000) may be worth a look further down the odds list; Oosthuizen also finished tied for second in 2015 after losing the playoff to Zach Johnson (+8000).

Golf Odds: No Clear Favorite at 2017 British Open

Just about anyone can win the British Open, and this year’s odds list is tightly packed with Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler tied as +1400 co-favorites, just ahead of Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm at +1600. Sergio Garcia is close behind at +1800. Action begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale.

Johnson is still the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world, but he’s struggled ever since hurting his back just before the Masters; Spieth and Fowler have seen better days, as well. There should be some betting value in this field with proven Open commodities like 2010 champion Louis Oosthuizen at +5000.