Reigning Champion Golfer of the 12 months Scottie Scheffler will head into the British Open Championship as the favourite to retain the Claret Jug.
However the four-time main champion is much less favored than regular after lacking out on final week’s Scottish Open for the primary time in virtually 4 years and going through stiff competitors from homegrown gamers from throughout Europe.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Scheffler is the +680 favourite to win the 2026 British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, based on DK Sportsline. These odds are the longest odds to win a serious because the 2023 Open, when he was a +700 joint favourite with Rory McIlroy, based on information from SportsOddsHistory.
McIlroy has the second-best odds heading into the 2026 match at +830, with Matt Fitzpatrick (+1750), Tommy Fleetwood (+1750) and Jon Rahm (+1950) rounding out the highest 5.
DK sports activities director Johnny Abello informed ESPN that the staff made changes to Scheffler after he made an uncommon reduce in Scotland, however mentioned he and different bookmakers have been additionally taking a look at long-term odds for a great efficiency and, maybe extra importantly, important motion on a number of European gamers.
Main that listing throughout the sportsbook market is Fitzpatrick, who has the largest debt at BetMGM, wins probably the most tickets and poses no less than some threat at a number of different books, together with Caesars, which has shortened to 10-1.
“Initially, we have been adjusting to him each match,” Abello mentioned. “Generally cash is available in for gamers, however we really feel it is a truthful worth and we’re simply going to maintain it there. So from the video games we open (this week), you will not see an enormous adjustment in his odds on this explicit match, nevertheless it’s an enormous adjustment in comparison with the place he was a 12 months in the past, as a result of proper now he undoubtedly seems to be like one of many high prospects in each match he performs within the final couple of months.”
Matt’s youthful brother, Alex Fitzpatrick, has additionally been doing properly this 12 months and is attracting consideration from bettors, however he’s nonetheless a comparatively good distance off at 66-1. Different commitments from throughout Europe embody McIlroy, Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland (34-1), Robert McIntyre (35-1), Tyrrell Hatton (38-1) and Justin Rose (41-1).
One other participant to look at is Tom Kim, who broke out by profitable Sunday’s Scottish Open after ending third on the US Open. The 24-year-old opened the 2026 British Open Championship at 150-1, chopping it to 55-1 based on DK Sports activities odds, and gained a variety of confidence from bettors throughout and after his win in Scotland.
One DK Sports activities bettor received greater than $4 million by betting $47,700 on Kim to win in Scotland final weekend at odds of 84-1.
“He is actually a TGL sensation and excites the gang,” Caesars golf chief Anthony Saleroli informed ESPN. “He is very vigorous. Individuals have a look at the Scottish Open as a tune-up, so if he wins the Scottish Open as a tune-up earlier than going into the British Open, he’ll be in nice form and able to tackle the hyperlinks course.”
Bookmakers are very cautious of circumstances at Royal Birkdale, that are anticipated to be unusually quick, laborious and dry. Saleroli mentioned the staff is taking a really “wait-and-see” angle about how lengthy the climate holds out and the way a lot handbook watering the course upkeep employees will do.
“Quick and stable, Royal Birkdale will present an amazing golf match and ask questions these gamers hardly ever face,” BetMGM senior dealer Matt Wall mentioned in a launch.
