After a two-year absence, it’s back!
The world’s best golfers will be battling it out in the Garden of England between 15th and 18th July as the oldest of the four majors returns following its Covid-related postponement in 2020.
Will that extended break from links golf for most of this year’s contenders throw up a few surprise Claret Jug challengers at Royal St George’s?
Here’s our look at where the value could lie in the 2021 British Open golf betting…
The Open Betting | British Open Golf Betting Tips
The major jinx is over for Jon Rahm.
Given some of the mishaps that have rained down on Rahm in 2021, you could forgive the Spaniard for thinking his time was never bound to come in a Major.
However, that all changed last month in California. The resolute 26-year-old put any frustrations behind him at the US Open, sealing his first ever major with a one-shot win over Louis Oosthuizen at Torrey Pines despite starting the fourth round T6 for the lead.
He starts out as an understandable 37/4 favourite to quickly capitalise on that success with back-to-back major wins here, but only one golfer has managed that feat in the last decade, Rory McIlroy.
The World No. 1 has still got plenty to prove across the links, with no top-10 finish to his name at the Open Championship in his four efforts to date.
He couldn’t do it again… could he?
The evergreen Phil Mickelson stunned the golfing world by becoming the oldest ever major champion at 50. He may fancy his chances of firming up that record here after celebrating his 51st birthday in June. That might not be far-fetched – Lefty has previous form to call on at this course, finishing T2 back in 2011 behind Darren Clarke, and he’s a 63/1 shot to go one better this July.
Dustin Johnson was the golfer level-pegging with Mickelson on that occasion, and this major is one of only two that still eludes the World No. 2. He’s struggled to recapture that 2011 challenge in his British Open outings since, with two T9 finishes Johnson’s best showings over the last decade.
The South Carolinian’s form has been erratic at best since winning the Green Jacket at the 2020 Masters but he’s 49/4 to get back on the front foot here.
2021 British Open Golf Venue: The Royal St George’s Golf Club
It’s a rare outing to the South Coast for this year’s British Open as the oldest of the four majors returns to the Kent course for the first time since 2011.
The only Open venue on the rota based in southern England, Royal St George’s has served up its fair share of sporting drama on the 14 occasions it has hosted the tournament – most notably an emotional win for Darren Clarke on the major’s last stop here in 2011.
The popular Northern Irishman won his first and only major with a three-stroke victory over Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson in a triumph he dedicated to his late wife Heather.
Often considered amongst the most punishing of Britain’s links courses, Rory McIlroy is just one leading talent who has been happy to admit to feeling daunted by the unique challenges presented by this rugged and undulating course.
Intriguingly, the R&A have gone against the grain of recent majors with the course layout for this year’s competition, removing 22 yards. That will ensure the course plays shorter than the 2011 event, which could be bad news for the more aggressive contenders turning up at Sandwich this July.
Par 70, 7,189 yards
Front nine: Par 35 (six par 4s, two par 3s, one par 5) | 3,620 yards
Back nine: Par 35 (six par 4s, two par 3s, one par 5) | 3,569 yards
British Open Golf Odds: Top Picks For 2021
🏌️♂️ Rory McIlroy – 23/2
Looks to be edging back towards some serious form after his win at the Wells Fargo back in May and has an imperious record in the Open Championships he has played in over the last decade.
The County Down-born golfer notched four top-four finishes on the bounce in this particular major before missing the cut in 2019.
🏌️♂️ Brooks Koepka – 29/2
31-year-old has been a model of consistency in recent months after a mixed start to the year.
T2 and T4 finishes in the last two majors suggest the three-time major winner could be unstoppable if he turns up in the right mood here.
His game is adaptable to links golf, too, after a respectable T4 finish in 2019.
🏌️♂️ Louis Oosthuizen – 27/1
Wily South African has been in quietly confident form throughout the last 18 months, finishing no lower than third in three out of the last five majors.
A T2 at the US Open means he’s now been a runner-up six times in his major career, so when it comes to each-way value, there are few better candidates than the ultra-consistent 38-year-old.
Will be looking to improve on his largely forgettable title defence here back in 2011 when he failed to finish in the top 50.
Odds correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.
2021 British Open Betting | British Open Odds
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