The Open hosted by Royal Liverpool Golf Club has seen some iconic moments over the years. From Tiger Woods’ emotional victory in 2006 to capture his 3rd Open to Rory McIlroy’s dominant wire-to-wire victory in 2014, there’s a good chance the 2023 Open Championship becomes the most entertaining major of this season.
With a few semi-heavy favorites, including McIlroy, Scheffler, and Rahm, the middle of the field holds some elite value, including former champion Shane Lowry and the flaming hot Rickie Fowler.
While the bets for top-10 and top-20 haven’t been released on DraftKings just yet, here are a few odds we would take to become the new “Champion Golfer of the Year”.
THE FAVORITES
Scottie Scheffler +900 (DraftKings)
One of the most consistent athletes in the world at the moment, Scottie Scheffler, always finds his way into contention over the weekends. While +900 isn’t the best value for Scottie overseas, a top-10 bet would be the way to go if you aren’t confident in him finding his way around the Scottish greens. His best finish at an Open Championship came in 2021 at T8, which is fairly underwhelming when scanning his track record over the past few years.
14 top tens in 18 events this season for the money-making machine. He leads virtually every main statistical category on tour… outside of putting. Winners of the Open in the past have heavily relied on the putter to make a move up the leaderboard or hold tight to their position at the top.
Last year, Cam Smith’s putter single-handedly kept him above the rest of the field to capture his first major victory. We know Scottie will find fairways and greens, but the putter is essential for another top 5 finish and 2nd major victory.
Victor Hovland +2000 (BetMGM)
My favorite pick in this year’s field, Victor Hovland, has put his name on the map as a top 10 golfer at the moment as well as a fan favorite. The Norwegian has stayed red hot, winning the memorial tournament last month as well as a T2 finish at the PGA Championship earlier this summer.
With a T12 and T4 finish in the last two Open Championships, the door has been creaked open for one of the most decorated 25-year-olds in the game. With improved chipping from the past few seasons, Hovland is clicking on all cylinders and has been part of the final groupings in the past couple of majors.
With added experience, a nonchalant personality and playstyle, and one of the best smiles in golf at the moment, Hovland at +2000 to lift the trophy is the best bet for next week.
Rickie Fowler +2200 (BetRivers)
What a season it’s been for the man in orange. Since turning pro in 2009, Rickie Fowler has had one of the more tumultuous careers, from becoming a fan favorite to dropping to the bottom of the World Rankings over the past few years.
While walking alongside Fowler’s group during the 2nd Round of the U.S. Open at L.A. Country Club just a few weeks ago, there was an added confidence to Rickie’s game that everyone felt, and as a crowd favorite even overseas, he’s due for another top 15 finish.
Finishing top 6 in three of his last five starts, Rickie’s game has been elevated to the next level after a slight swing and mental fixup from Butch Harmon. Nearly winning at LACC and coming back a week or two later to win at the Travelers, bet Fowler to make another weekend run against the best of the best in Scotland.
THE OUTSIDERS
Shane Lowry +3000 (Caesars)
The Irishman has two career wins. One of those happens to be the 2019 Open Championship. Lowry has always been a consistent tour player, finishing with eight top 25s in 15 appearances alongside a solid 13 cuts made this season.
The big hitter has flown under the radar as of late, finishing T12 at the PGA and T20 at the U.S. Open before finishing at -14 at the Travelers Championship a few weeks ago. As we head to Scotland, you better believe the home crowd will be cheering for Shane to get in contention once again.
Since 2018, Lowry has finished 21st, 12th twice, and won the Open Championship. With one of the better track records in this event, not only is Shane a fair bet to win the event at +3000 on Caesars, but also becomes a fun draftee in DFS formats. If the putter stays hot this weekend, keep an eye on the Irishman to jump up the leaderboard throughout the tournament.
Cameron Young +4500 (Caesars)
The 2022 Open runner-up deserves love as a longshot at +4500 to become the Champion Golfer of the Year. Walking the course with him on Friday for a stretch of holes at LACC, the poise, iron play, and fairway navigation is all there at the moment, which should bode well for his trip to Scotland.
With 6 runner-ups in 48 PGA Tour events, the time is coming for 26-year-old Cameron Young. Outside of Scottie, Young might be the runner-up in the “money-making-machine” category. He’s finished top-10 four times in 18 events this season with help from a 7th place Masters finish in the Spring.
Fairly new on tour, Young’s finished top 10 in three of his past eight major appearances. This is a bet I’m willing to take, whether for the win or to finish top-10, as his iron play should secure a few sub-70 rounds next week.
THE LONG SHOT
Padraig Harrington +17500 (Caesars)
The three-time major champion has been in incredible form as of late, finishing inside the top 30 at Los Angeles Country Club and sporting a top-10 finish at the Texas Open. Harrington is one of the more likable players on tour over the past few decades and, similar to Lowry, should be a fan favorite at Royal Liverpool.
Padraig has had an illustrious Open career. Beginning in 1996, he’s sported four top-5s, including two back-to-back victories in 2007 and 2008. Since the early 2010s, he hasn’t found his form in majors outside of a 4th place PGA Championship finish in 2021.
While this might be too much of a long shot for some, Harrington should play in DFS drafts and is a great bet to sneak into the top 20 come Sunday’s final round.
