The greatest, most prestigious golf major is right around the corner, and we’re earlier than a Saturday morning tee time with our British Open betting odds. The beautiful Royal Birkdale plays host, and we’ve got everything you need to know for the week, including data-driven picks, the latest odds, course insights, and British Open betting markets.
- 1 British Open Betting Odds – Who Will Win In 2026?
- 2 Tips & Predictions for The Open Championship 2026
- 3 Key Golfers to Watch
- 4 British Open Free Bets & Promotions
- 5 Best Sites for Betting on the Open Championship
- 6 Popular Betting Markets for the British Open
- 7 The Open Championship Past Winners
- 8 Course Analysis for British Open 2026 – Royal Birkdale
- 9 British Open Golf Key Stats & Facts
- 10 Other Tournaments for Golf Betting
- 11 British Open FAQs
British Open Betting Odds – Who Will Win In 2026?
Because of its status as a major championship, British Open betting odds are released super early, so it’s a great way to tap into some ante-post value. The table below showcases the top 20 in the betting right now from the best online bookies, and we will keep this updated as the first tee times draw ever closer.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | 8/1 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 8/1 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 14/1 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 14/1 |
| Jon Rahm | 22/1 |
| Xander Schauffele | 22/1 |
| Viktor Hovland | 25/1 |
| Chris Gotterup | 28/1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 28/1 |
| Justin Rose | 28/1 |
| Robert MacIntyre | 28/1 |
| Wyndham Clark | 28/1 |
| Ludvig Åberg | 30/1 |
| Cameron Young | 33/1 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | 33/1 |
| Russell Henley | 40/1 |
| Min Woo Lee | 45/1 |
| Patrick Reed | 45/1 |
| Sam Burns | 45/1 |
| Si Woo Kim | 45/1 |
| Tom Kim | 50/1 |
*Odds correct at 15:00 BST on 14/07/2026. Odds subject to change.
Tips & Predictions for The Open Championship 2026
The Open Championship betting markets are live, and it’s time to jump straight into my picks for the week.
Russell Henley Each Way
It’s too easy to pick either Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler this week, so I want to bring some names to the table that maybe aren’t as mainstream. Enter, Russell Henley.
The American has quietly gone about his business over the last few years, rising in the world rankings from 50th in 2023 to 5th as of this week. His win at the Charles Schwab in May of this year was his first for 15 months, but he’s always there or thereabouts.
What I like about Henley is his accuracy off the tee. In fact, no one has been more acute in 2026, hitting a staggering 73.41% of fairways. Birkdale is going to play hard and fast, and it’ll be about getting into the fairway by any means possible. The ground will get the ball rolling and his lack of distance won’t be an issue.
He’s 50/1 this week, and I love this bet as an outside each-way punt.
Chris Gottrup Each Way
As you can tell from my golf betting previews, I like backing players in form for the majors. These are the tournaments where the cream rises to the top, so anyone outside of the top 20 in the world has to bring their A+ game and even then, needs a lot of things to go their way.
With Chris Gotterup, he’s ticking a lot of boxes. He’s jumped to number six in the world after a win at the John Deere and then a solid T11 last week at the Genesis Scottish Open.
He describes himself as a feel player, which is a good attribute to have around links like Royal Birkdale. With three wins in 2026, he’s not exactly coming into this week under the radar, but it’s not someone that I’ve heard a lot of people talking about, which is strange.
The bookies have him at 28/1, which might put some off, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in contention on Sunday at all.
Tommy Fleetwood to Win
There wouldn’t be a more popular winner than Tommy Fleetwood this week, that’s for sure. He grew up down the road from Birkdale, said he used to sneak on with his dad in the summer and is still chasing that elusive first major win. What a story to get that on home soil.
As ever, it’s imperative to bet with head over heart, and while Fleetwood to win would be incredibly romantic, all the numbers suggest he has a great chance. He’s finished inside the top 14 in each of his last five starts, played solid enough last week in Scotland to see his game is in great form and will be on a track he knows better than most.
Unfortunately, the bookies have clicked on to this one. He’s already into 14/1, and I would guess that these odds shorten even further before the first tee on Thursday.
Key Golfers to Watch
Here’s a look at players who we were close to backing as part of The Open Championship betting tips, but didn’t quite make the cut.
Rory McIlroy
There were talks following his US Masters win in April about whether McIlroy could become the first player to win the calendar Grand Slam, but he just missed out in the PGA Championship and never really got going in the US Open. A blip in his third round on Saturday put him out of contention last week, but he rallied on Sunday to finish T7. Numbers suggest he won't be far away again this week.
Scottie Scheffler
The defending Open Champion heads into this week after missing his first cut in four years at the Scottish Open. It was quite bizarre not to see him around for the weekend, truth be told. But there’s not a lot you need to read into that. A minor hiccup, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him win back-to-back Opens, such is his class.
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth won at Royal Birkdale the last time it hosted back in 2017. There’s still a lot of love for the American, and while his game isn’t as consistent as he’d like, he still has the talent to win again. His erratic nature means anything could happen, but no one knows how to get the job done around Birkdale better than Spieth.
British Open Free Bets & Promotions
If you’re using our golf betting tips for the British Open, what better way to pair them with a free bet? We’ve got all the latest and best promotions right here.
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Best Sites for Betting on the Open Championship
Don’t bet on the Open Golf Championship this week until you feast your eyes on our list of the best betting sites. We’ve got a comprehensive list below, each offering something slightly different and tried and tested by our team of experts.
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Founded:
2019
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(10):
Bet £20, Get £50 in Free Bets 18+. New UK customers only. Min £20 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of £20 at min odds of min odds of 3.0 (2/1) and get a £5 Bet Builder and £5 Multiple on settlement. A £10 Free Bet token and £5 Bet Builder after 24 hours. A further £10 Free Bet token, £5 Bet Builder and 2 x £5 Multiple tokens after 48 hours. Free Bet Tokens require a minimum of 3 legs. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £100,000,000
Min. deposit: £10
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1989
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(9):
Bet £10 Get £40 + 50% Bet Builder Boost on Selected Matches 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. Min odds 3/1. Max stake £/€20. One bet per match. 50% boost applied after all selections are settled. Max boost payout £/€1,000. Singles only. Free, void, or cashed out bets do not qualify. Payment and account restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1967
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(7):
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets 18+. New customers only. Register, deposit with a Debit Card, and place a first bet of £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports, to be settled within 7 days, to get £30 in Sports Free Bets and £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £20,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1994
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(4):
Bet £10 Get £20 18+, New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
2000
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(11):
Bet £10 & Get £30 18+. Registration Required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Funded account or place a bet to qualify. Geo location and live streaming rules apply. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £100,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
1946
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(5):
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get £30 in Free Bets for selected markets, 7 days expiry. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
1999
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(6):
Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets 18+. Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and, once your qualifying bet has been settled, get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £1.00
Max. withdrawal: £25,000
Min. deposit: £1
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
1926
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(8):
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New UK + ROI customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £/€5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stakes not returned). Restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £250,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
|
|
Founded:
2003
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(10):
100% up to £50 Welcome Bonus 18+ New players. Choose bonus at signup. Wager bonus 10x. Any withdrawals void bonus. Valid 30 days. Deposit used 1st. Odds, bet & payment limits. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £10
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
|
|
Founded:
1934
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets 18+. Play Safe. Online only. Ends 31.12.26. New UK customers only, registering with promo code R30. Make your first deposit of £10+, then place a £10 single bet from main balance at odds of 1/2+ on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Get £30 in Free Bets (3x£10) after settlement. Free Bets valid on any sports market excl. Virtuals, expire in 7 days, non-withdrawable and must be used in full (£10 each). Deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay and WH PLUS Card excluded. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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Popular Betting Markets for the British Open
When curating our Open golf betting predictions, we examine multiple markets to identify the best value. Below, we’ve listed some from the best golf betting sites and included an explanation about how they work.
Simply put, bet on who you think will win The Open. For example, if you follow our betting tips for the British Open, you’ll be backing Scottie Scheffler to win at odds of 5/1. For every £10 wagered, you win £50 at this price.
Each-way markets are effectively two bets. You have half on the player to win and half on them to place. For example, £10 each-way on Tommy Fleetwood at odds of 25/1 means you’ve £10 on him to win at 25/1 and £10 to place (usually in the top six positions) at ¼ of those odds. So, 6.25/1.
The top 5/10/20 markets are essentially a place bet. So, you’re betting on your player to finish within those positions to be paid. It’s worth noting that bet365 includes ties with their place bets, so we recommend using them if you’re going down this route.
This is betting on the player who leads The Open after the first round. How they perform after the first round is irrelevant; all that matters is being ahead after 18 holes. This includes ties, but dead heat rules apply in such cases.
Wager on a specific player to make or miss the cut. After two rounds (36 holes), a cut line will be in place where only the top 60 and ties advance to the weekend. You can bet on a player to feature at the weekend (make the cut) or not (miss the cut). This is an excellent market for betting on outsiders that you think have a chance to play well or oppose some of the favourites you think will struggle.
For this market, the bookies will pair two golfers (sometimes three) in a head-to-head battle to the death. Just kidding, it’s the lowest score of the two that wins. Most are over a single round, but some will expand this to include the whole tournament.
Sometimes referred to as group betting, nationality markets are where you bet on the leading player from a nation or corner of the world. For example, it might be “Top European” or “Top American”. For betting purposes, you need the winner from that group for the bet to win. Most of the top bookies will have British Open odds for this.
As easy as they come. Simply bet whether you think there will be a hole-in-one or not. If you want to get really niche, some British Open betting sites will allow you to pick specific golfers.
Bet on how many shots The Open will be won by. Options include a playoff, one stroke, two strokes, and so on. It’s an ideal market for short-priced favourites or if you’re betting in-play.
Speaking of in-play… once the tournament starts, there will be live markets that are updated with every shot. You can bet on the leader of each round, head-to-head matches, and track the outright odds for the winner. Golf is a relatively sedate sport, which gives you more time to react and anticipate than sports like football or horse racing.
The Open Championship Past Winners
| Year | Champion | Score (Par) | Venue (Course) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Scottie Scheffler | 267 (-17) | Royal Portrush (Dunluce Links) |
| 2024 | Xander Schauffele | 275 (–9) | Royal Troon (Old Course) |
| 2023 | Brian Harman | 271 (–13) | Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | 268 (–20) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 2021 | Collin Morikawa | 265 (–15) | Royal St George’s |
| 2020 | – Cancelled – | n/a | No Open (COVID-19) |
| 2019 | Shane Lowry | 269 (–15) | Royal Portrush (Dunluce) |
| 2018 | Francesco Molinari | 276 (–8) | Carnoustie |
| 2017 | Jordan Spieth | 268 (–12) | Royal Birkdale |
| 2016 | Henrik Stenson | 264 (–20) | Royal Troon (Old Course) |
| 2015 | Zach Johnson | 273 (–15) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 2014 | Rory McIlroy | 271 (–17) | Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) |
| 2013 | Phil Mickelson | 281 (–3) | Muirfield |
| 2012 | Ernie Els | 273 (–7) | Royal Lytham & St Annes |
| 2011 | Darren Clarke | 275 (–5) | Royal St George’s |
| 2010 | Louis Oosthuizen | 272 (–16) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 2009 | Stewart Cink | 278 (–2) | Turnberry (Ailsa) |
| 2008 | Padraig Harrington | 283 (–3) | Royal Birkdale |
| 2007 | Padraig Harrington | 277 (–7) | Carnoustie |
| 2006 | Tiger Woods | 270 (–18) | Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) |
| 2005 | Tiger Woods | 274 (–14) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
Course Analysis for British Open 2026 – Royal Birkdale
Royal Birkdale will be a test this week. No doubt about it. It’s a 7,223-yard Par 70, and from the early pictures and reports, it’s going to play hard and fast. We’ve been blessed with some warm weather in the UK over the last few weeks, so the ground staff will have to work hard to avoid losing the greens as they dry out.
There have been a few changes since it was last hosted in 2017. The fairway on the first is narrower, making it one of the hardest holes on the course. The 5th is now a short Par 4, offering risk-and-reward options. The 7th green has been raised, with more undulation added and deep bunkers. 14 has been lengthened to 600+ yards, and 18 has been repositioned to bring the bunkers into play more.
But what does that all mean? Well, accuracy off the tee is a must. The fairway bunkers will almost all be a hack-out job, and course management will be essential for players looking to nab the beautiful Claret Jug.
British Open 2026 Prize Money
The prize money for the 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale will be set at $17 million. The winner will pick up a $3.1 million cheque, making it one of the most lucrative events of the year.
British Open Golf Key Stats & Facts
Other Tournaments for Golf Betting
British Open FAQs
SBK and Boylesports are the two best bookies for betting on the Open Championship. Between them they have the best odds and most offers for the week.
The outright winner is the most popular betting market. Alternatives include each-way betting, place betting, group betting and match-ups.
Links golf is unique in that it requires a certain style of play. It’s often more creative, moving away from the “bomb and gauge” courses found on the PGA Tour.
Padraig Harrington is the only player this week who has won two or more Open Championships (2007 – Carnoustie, 2008 – Birkdale). Other notable, single winners include Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Shane Lowry.
Yes, it’s always advised to use multiple bookmakers when betting on The Open Championship. This way, you have the best chance to get the best odds and claim multiple promotions that each bookie might be offering.