The Open Championship

Royal Portrush GC in Northern Ireland is the scene for the 153rd Open Championship this week as the world’s best golfers descend on the Dunluce Links bidding to win the famous Claret Jug.

The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush GC in County Antrim this week for the third time. The 153rd edition of The Open will be only the third held at Portrush. A massive 68 years passed by between the 1951 and 2019 editions, but such was the success of the event when Major golf returned to the island of Ireland six years ago that the R&A wasted little time in coming back and Portrush seems likely to stay on the Open rota now.

World number one Scottish Scheffler and home favourite Rory McIlroy top the betting charts, but we’ve picked out three at longer odds for The Open.

Tip 1: Tommy Fleetwood to win The Open @ 25/1 with Bet365

Tommy Fleetwood was the bridesmaid when Shane Lowry won The Open in Portrush six years ago. The affable Englishman had a tough task trying to run down the hugely popular Irishman on home soil as a tidal wave of emotion helped carry Lowry home following a vintage display of links golf. Fleetwood still has to shed his maiden tag, but the European Ryder Cup star remains a top-drawer performer, particularly on this sort of layout.

His recent near miss at the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour was gut-wrenching but also the latest fine effort in a strong season with four top-ten finishes since April’s tied-21st at the Masters. He had rounds of 67 and 68 at the Scottish Open last week and returning to Portrush will bring good memories.

Tip 2: Rasmus Højgaard to win The Open @ 125/1 with Paddy Power

Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard is a five-time winner on the DP World Tour and the one thing missing on his CV is a strong finish in a Major. This year already has witnessed a breakout, as the 24-year-old has now competed at all four Majors having debuted at Augusta and he also checks off all four in the same season here. 

Less than 12 months ago, Højgaard won the Irish Open just a few miles up the coast at Royal County Down. In doing so, he fended off none other than a charging Rory McIlroy to win by one shot. Being back in Northern Ireland on another majestic Links layout can only serve him well, and those memories of his biggest career win so far are going to fuel his desire and confidence. He’s been hit and miss recently, but if he has an on-week, the powerful Dane has the attributes for this test.

Tip 3: Cameron Smith to win The Open @ 90/1 with Betfair

Aussie Cam Smith hoisted the Claret Jug at the 150th Open in St Andrews three years ago, surging past a stalled McIlroy as the ever-popular Northern Irishman endured a cold Sunday with his putter. 

Smith, at his best, is absolutely lethal with the flat stick in hand and the Aussie’s general prowess around the greens is a great aid on a course like Portrush. He has been in decent if not spectacular form recently on the LIV Tour and, if he finds accuracy off the tee in Northern Ireland, he can outrun a big price.