The 147th British Open, running from 15 to 22 July 2018, will be hosted at Carnoustie, renowned for being one of the most challenging links courses. The strong winds and long, narrow course push players to bring their absolute best – and here are five of the top contenders for this year’s Claret Jug.
British Open Predictions
1. Dustin Johnson
The World No. 1 golfer is obviously the favourite for this year’s British Open and, being at the prime of his career, he’s a solid bet. He placed third at the recent US Open, with some poor putting seeing him miss the top spot after leading by four at halfway. This American player is known for a low, piercing ball flight which will work well when taking on the gusty gales of Carnoustie. Johnson has an impressive record with 13 PGA Tour victories and the first golfer to capture all four World Golf Championship events. He’s also a three-time Ryder Cup and Presidents’ Cup player.
Current betting odds 13/1
2. Justin Rose
The World No. 3 is almost always on form with his superior scrambling and putting skills pushing him to the top of the leaderboard. Although this Englishman hasn’t had the best British Open record since his incredible fourth-placed finish at 17 years old, he has nine PGA Tour titles, is an Olympic gold medallist, and has won a major. In 2013 he beat out Phil Mickelson and Jason Day to win the 2013 US Open at Merion and he’s twice been runner-up at The Masters. Rose boasts 11 European titles, has posted top four finishes in all four majors and was even awarded an OBE.
Current betting odds 18/1
3. Rickie Fowler
Fowler is desperately chasing that first major title which he seems incredibly keen on this year having placed second in The Masters in April. The American managed to finished tied 20 under at this year’s US Open, despite shooting an 84, and placed second in the last four events of 2017. He tied second at The British Open in 2014 and The US Open the same year. He has also placed third at the PGA Championship and fifth at The Masters. Fowler has seen success at the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – a career-high pushing him to World No. 4 – so he’s worth watching.
Current betting odds 18/1
4. Rory Mcilroy
It has been four years since Rory McIlroy captured the Claret Jug with a 2-shot victory in the 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. However after overcoming a lingering rib injury recently he has shown flashes of his familiar brilliance, notably in winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. At the Masters, he played in Sunday’s final group but faded disappointingly early. His T-5 finish was his seventh top-10 in the 14 majors he’s played since last winning one. Can he rise again after 4 years?
Current betting odds: 20/1
5. Tommy Fleetwood
His recent performance at the US Open has pushed him up in the bookies’ rankings, having finished with an incredible 63 in the last round. He’s climbed to World No. 10 spot and was the leading money-winner on last season’s European Tour. This 27-year-old Englishman was runner-up at the Amateur Championships 10 years ago and, in 2010, he became the English champion. By 2011, he was the youngest-ever European Challenge Tour No.1.
Current betting odds: 25/1
Wildcard pick:
Patrick Reed
Reed is looking good this season, having won his first major title in April at The Masters, beating out countryman, Rickie Fowler, by a single stroke. Back in 2006 he won the Junior Open, with his championship debut at Hoylake in 2014. Reed has gone on to make it to World No. 7 and has been a star player in the past two Ryder Cups. He was a top contender in the US Open this year, before slipping to fourth place, and he was the youngest winner of a World Golf Championships event at the age of 23.
Current betting odds: 40/1
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