Koepka, McIlroy The Favorites As The Open Returns to Ireland After 68 Years

We love the British Open, or as it is now know, just “The Open.” No matter the location, the course feels designed by masochistic druids, with waist high rough, devilish bunkers, and conditions that keep any aging golfers thinking about wearing a hairpiece wary of going hatless. 

And this year, we are lucky enough to have the tournament returning to Ireland on a course that has all the earmarks of a classic British Open challenge. The Royal Portrush course is a beast, originally created in 1888, and most recently redesigned and lengthened to fit the modern player. With a location on the Atlantic Ocean, and holes with names like “White Rocks” and “Calamity Corner,” we should be in for an exciting couple days of golf. Add to that the fact that Ireland hasn’t hosted The Open since 1951, and that tickets all four days of the event sold out quickly, and over 190,000 people are expected to attend and it becomes even more epic.

So what type of player thrives in a relentless, unforgiving course like this? Power is one thing, as holes like the par 5, 592-yard seventh require some extra umph to get the ball over the nasty rough, but the fairways that sit beyond are extremely narrow, so accuracy is just as, if not more, important to avoid a maze of dunes. Other holes feature false front, deep chasms, and outright cliffs, so just having power itself will get you nothing but a few extra shots tacked on to your score.

Knowing the course, who fits the description of power and accuracy? Here are the favorites, and a few underdogs to keep an eye on.

Rory McIlroy (Winner: +900 Top 5: +225) The hometown kid will have the crowd behind him, plus a lifetime of playing this course, on which he set a then record when he was just 16.

Brooks Koepka (Winner: +1000 Top 5: +250) The man just wins, or comes close. He’s on a streak that has shown no signs of stopping. Add to that a caddy that hails from Portrush and has walked this course more than anyone else and you’ve got a recipe for success.

John Rahm (Winner: +1400 Top 5: +350) Even though he has yet to win a major, it seems only a matter of time before he does. He won the Irish Open a few weeks ago, and his form has been great all season.

Dustin Johnson (Winner: +1600 Top 5: +400) The #2 in the world finished #2 at the Masters and the PGA Championship. Is Ireland the place he finally gets a #1?

Tiger Woods (Winner: +1800 Top 5: +450) Tiger-mania comes to Europe! Woods is seeking to tie Sam Snead for Tour victories at 82, but he hasn’t played this course, and he hasn’t played since the U.S. Open, taking a similar break that he did in between The Masters and the PGA (when he missed the cut.)

Justin Thomas (Winner: +2800 Top 5: +700) Is this the same guy who was the number one player in the world just last year? He’s great on the approach (third in strokes gained) which should keep him in contention on this course, but his putting has been less than stellar.

Tommy Fleetwood (Winner: +3000 Top 5:+750) “Fleetwood The Flusher” is a favorite thanks to a combo of the expected winds paired with his awesome ball-striking abilities. Can he regain the form he had just last year?

Rickie Fowler (Winner: +3500 Top 5: +800) A great wind player throughout his career, he has finished in the top 5 in one-fifth of his career starts. Could this be where he gets his first victory?

Matt Wallace (Winner: +4500 Top 5: +900) Great odds for a guy who tied for 3rd at the PGA Championship. He’s won plenty in Europe, so why not do it again on the biggest stage.

Phil Mickelson (Winner: +10000 Top 5: +2000) He’s lost 15 pounds since the U.S. Open! He’s Phil! 

Charley Hoffman (Winner: +15000 Top 5:+3300) Which one shows up? The one who has finished in the Top 20 in back to back Open tournaments? Or the one who has missed the cut in his past four starts? Let’s go for a BIG win here. 

Good luck and enjoy the tournament! It’s going to be a fun one.