There is only one competition on our minds this summer: the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon. Keep reading as we preview the action and bring readers up to speed on what sportsbook traders expect. The leading gambling apps offer odds on all this year’s Majors, including The Open and PGA Championship 2024 betting.
Early favourites
The 152nd Open Championship brings together the sport’s best players and most famous names at one of the best-loved courses in Royal Troon. The action begins on Thursday July 18th, with this year’s champion crowned four days later. Which player will prove too good for the chasing pack and etch their name into the history books?? That puzzle will take all the solving, but traders believe they have picked the strongest players and offer attractive odds to anyone willing to take them on with an underdog.
There’s plenty of championship golf scheduled between now and The Open in Scotland this summer, but major bookmakers are happy to offer odds and accept wagers. Fans can get in early to secure the value and find Scottie Scheffler as the favourite to claim the title won by Brian Harman 12 months ago. America’s Scheffler already boasts two Majors, having won the 2022 and 2024 Masters. Will he add a third title in the birthplace of golf? Fans certainly hope so.
Professional golf punters may prefer to trust a player with more experience in winning Majors, and that could be Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. Wee Mac is 34 years old and showing no signs of slowing down after winning three of the four Majors, with The Masters remaining an elusive prize. He bagged The Open Championship a decade ago and has a game that seems perfectly suited to Troon. He’s second in the betting behind Scheffler and ahead of Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and Cameron Smith.
To set the mood ahead of this summer’s Open Championship renewal, we reflect on some famous and memorable champions.
Tom Morris Sr. (1861, 1862, 1864, 1867)
Tom Morris Sr., affectionately known as “Old Tom Morris,” was a Scottish golf pioneer whose dominance in the early years of The Open Championship remains unparalleled.
Born in 1821, Morris’s illustrious career spanned over decades, during which he claimed victory in the Open Championship four times. His mastery of the game, coupled with his innovative course design and teaching methods, earned him a revered status in the annals of golf history.
Morris’s influence extended far beyond his competitive success. He played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the sport.
Harry Vardon (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911)
Harry Vardon, a native of the Channel Island of Jersey, etched his name in golfing lore with his remarkable achievements in The Open Championship.
Renowned for his elegant swing and impeccable technique, Vardon dominated the golfing landscape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His record-breaking five victories in the Open Championship exemplify his extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to the game.
Vardon’s enduring legacy is highlighted by his innovative grip technique, known as the “Vardon Grip,” which revolutionized the way golfers approached the game.
Bobby Jones (1926, 1927, 1930)
Bobby Jones, a prodigious talent from Atlanta, Georgia, captured the imagination of the golfing world with his remarkable prowess and sportsmanship.
Despite suffering from a debilitating spinal condition, Jones displayed unparalleled skill and mental fortitude on the course. His triumphs in The Open Championship, including three victories in five years, cemented his status as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
Beyond his competitive achievements, Jones’s contributions to the sport are highlighted by his role in founding Augusta National Golf Club and co-creating the Masters Tournament, two enduring institutions in golf.
Arnold Palmer (1961, 1962)
Arnold Palmer, affectionately known as “The King,” captivated audiences around the world with his swashbuckling style and magnetic personality.
Hailing from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Palmer became a global icon during the 1960s, revolutionizing the game of golf and popularizing it to unprecedented heights. His back-to-back victories in The Open Championship in 1961 and 1962 solidified his status as one of the most beloved figures in sports history.
Palmer’s impact transcended the fairways, as he became a trailblazer for athlete endorsements and a philanthropist dedicated to growing the game of golf.
Tiger Woods (2000, 2005, 2006)
Tiger Woods, a prodigy from Cypress, California, redefined the parameters of excellence in golf with his unparalleled dominance and sheer athleticism.
Bursting onto the scene in the late 1990s, Woods captured the imagination of fans worldwide with his unparalleled skill and unwavering determination. His triumphant performances in The Open Championship, including three victories in six years, underscored his status as a generational talent and a transcendent figure in sports.
Woods’s impact extends far beyond his accomplishments on the course. He shattered barriers and inspired a new generation of golfers to pursue greatness.
It’s unlikely we’ll see anything quite like the Woods’ story again in golf, but Royal Troon provides a blank canvas for new artists to arrive. All that’s left for you to do is study the stats, find the best odds, and make your predictions.
