Leaderboard Shift in First Round: Højgaard Climbs Betting Ranks, Fleetwood Leads Prop Bets
In the lead-up to this year's The Open Championship, taking place at Royal Portrush, several European players are making a strong case for the coveted title. The current odds for the top European contenders are as follows:
Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irishman who has won the tournament twice before, is the second favourite at around +750 odds. His strong support from bettors is a testament to his familiarity with European conditions. Jon Rahm, another leading contender, is priced at +1200 with a solid Open Championship record and multiple top-10 finishes.
Tommy Fleetwood, known for his strong performances in The Open, especially on links courses, is priced at about +2500 to +2800. Fleetwood, who was runner-up in the 2019 Open at Portrush, is a contender not to be underestimated. Ludvig Aberg, a rising star among Europeans, has odds near +2500 to +2800 as well, receiving solid betting action.
Tyrrell Hatton, with his precise ball-striking and strong links experience, is available at around +3300. Other notable contenders like Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland, both with odds in the +3000 range, also have some backing.
Scottie Scheffler, currently leading the board for The Open Championship, has seen his odds move out from +450 to +550. Despite still having the most tickets and leading the handle, both figures are down significantly. It seems that the focus is shifting towards the European contenders.
In the first-round leader market, Nicolai Højgaard is the biggest liability, holding 4.9% of the bets and 6.1% of the handle. Meanwhile, Harry Hall draws the most action to finish in the top 20 at +300 and top 40 at +100.
As the tournament approaches, it's clear that McIlroy and Rahm are the primary European favourites, with Fleetwood, Aberg, and Hatton as interesting outsider options. The 15th Open Championship in a row will see a new winner, with the last 10 champions and runners-up being diverse and varied.
It's an exciting time for golf fans as we eagerly await the outcome of this prestigious event. Will a European player finally claim the title, or will the tournament see another surprise winner? Only time will tell.
Sports-betting activity indicates Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm as primary European favorites for The Open Championship, with McIlroy, who has won the tournament twice before, at +750 odds and Rahm priced at +1200. Other European contenders like Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, and Viktor Hovland also have betting odds in the +3000 range.
