Our British Open picks break down the best outright bets, value plays, and key storylines for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. With Scottie Scheffler looking to defend his title, Rory McIlroy chasing a second Claret Jug, and plenty of dangerous long shots in the field, the final men’s major of the season offers no shortage of intriguing betting opportunities.
Below, we’ll analyze the latest British Open golf odds, course fit, recent form, and historical performance to identify our top picks to win the championship. Whether you’re looking for a favourite, a sleeper, or a long-shot wager, our British Open betting preview has you covered.
British Open picks
Rory McIlroy to win: +800
McIlroy to win the British Open
Rory McIlroy enters the 2026 Open Championship as one of the strongest contenders to lift the Claret Jug, and the statistical case is compelling. The Northern Irishman has been one of the world’s most consistent players throughout the season, highlighted by his successful Masters title defence and a string of high finishes on both the PGA Tour. He also arrives off a top-10 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, one of the best indicators of links-course form ahead of The Open.
McIlroy’s Open Championship résumé is among the best in the field. Since winning at Royal Liverpool in 2014, he has recorded eight top-10 finishes, demonstrating a remarkable ability to contend on links layouts regardless of venue. He also has positive memories of Royal Birkdale, finishing tied for seventh when the course last hosted The Open in 2017.
Royal Birkdale should suit McIlroy’s game perfectly. Long regarded as one of the fairest links courses on The Open rota, it rewards elite driving, controlled ball flight and precise iron play—areas where McIlroy continues to excel. He has also praised the redesigned layout, noting its visibility and fair landing areas.
While Scottie Scheffler deserves favourite status with his recent major success, McIlroy possesses the ideal combination of current form, links pedigree and course history. With six major championships already on his résumé and years of consistent Open performances, he looks primed to capture a second Claret Jug this week.
Bryson DeChambeau to win: +6600
Bryson DeChambeau to win the British Open
There’s no doubt that this is a controversial pick, with DeChambeau having the possibility of completing the major missed-cut grand slam this week at Royal Birkdale.
However, when was the last time you saw this golfer with an insane amount of length and talent given 66-1 odds at a golf tournament? We can’t recall the YouTube golf king ever having longer odds, and that’s exactly why you should back him as a long shot this week.
Golf legend Nick Faldo may have unintentionally lit a fire under DeChambeau heading into this tournament, stating DeChambeau “has zero clue of strategy” when it comes to playing links-style golf at The Open. He also backed that point up by stating, “I’d say it to his face.” Faldo seems baffled by DeChambeau’s grip-it-and-rip-it strategy off the tee, and he believes driving accuracy will be pivotal in success in this year’s British Open.
DeChambeau has two career top-10 finishes at the British Open in eight tries, although he did miss the cut at Royal Birkdale back in 2017.
A player with blessed strength off the tee always has a chance in a major if they can get hot and keep it straight, and we’re willing to bet that DeChambeau can turn things around at long 66-1 odds.
The Favourite
Surprise, surprise! Scottie Scheffler is once again the favourite in the field this week. But how will the World No. 1 rebound from a rare missed cut at the Scottish Open last week?
Scheffler’s streak of 78 consecutive cuts may have come to an end, but it also gave him the opportunity to get a little extra rest before the final major of the season. Don’t worry, the defending British Open champion has eight straight top 15s in majors, and he’ll certainly be a factor come Sunday in this tournament.
Ranking first in Total Strokes Gained, first in Greens In Regulation percentage, second in Total Driving and fourth in Strokes Gained Off The Tee this season, Scheffler is the one golfer in the field that everyone fears.
Scottie Scheffler to win the British Open
British Open odds (top 15)
| Player | World Golf Ranking | Outright Odds |
| Scottie Scheffler | 1 | +750 |
| Rory McIlroy | 2 | +800 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 3 | +1400 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 9 | +1400 |
| Jon Rahm | 11 | +2200 |
| Xander Schauffele | 14 | +2200 |
| Chris Gotterup | 6 | +2800 |
| Collin Morikawa | 7 | +2800 |
| Justin Rose | 10 | +2800 |
| Robert MacIntyre | 15 | +2800 |
| Wyndham Clark | 8 | +2800 |
| Ludvig Aberg | 20 | +3000 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | 22 | +3000 |
| Viktor Hovland | 12 | +3300 |
| Cameron Young | 4 | +3500 |
Betting Insights
Here are the latest British Open betting insights courtesy of BetMGM (as of Tuesday):
Notable Canadians in the field
Corey Conners (+11000): It’s really been a subpar season for Conners, who has just one finish inside of the top 10. He finished a disappointing T52 at last week’s Scottish Open, but he did post a T10 result at last year’s Open Championship.
Nick Taylor (+27500): Like Conners, Taylor has just one result inside of the top 10 this season. He’s without a doubt an extreme long shot at the British Open, an event he’s missed the cut in three straight tries in.
