– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 2:41 pm
2017 British Open Championship Golf Prediction and Picks
Ready to bet on this week’s 2017 British Open Championship betting odds? The PGA pros will head across the pond this week to play the 2017 British Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England – a par 70 track that will stretch out to a relatively short 7, 156 yards. This track last hosted this event in 2008 when it absolutely terrorized the world’s best and Paddy Harrington won with a 3-Over final score.
2017 Open Championship
- When: July 20-23, 2017
- Where: Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, England
- Format: 72 holes – Stroke Play
- Purse: $8,600,000
- Defending Champion: Henrik Stenson
- TV Coverage: Golf Channel, NBC
- Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
This being the 10th time that Royal Birkdale will host this event there is a pretty good sample size of the types of players that can thrive here – a look back however doesn’t reveal any style of game that will have a Major advantage.
It’s all about the weather forecast – if wind is a factor (which it inevitably will be) then those accurate ball strikers with low ball flight will have an advantage – if there is no wind the bashers should feast.
The fairways are narrow and unusually flat at Birkdale – typically treacherous British Open bunkers will be in play, this fescue will penalize those that don’t hit fairways and tricky greens will greet those who safely hit the putting surface.
As mentioned, wind will be in the equation – a player’s ability to adjust on the fly with the ever-changing conditions will suit them well.
A strong mental game will also be called upon – this track will beat the contenders up and challenge the fortitude of all that dare to tee it up.
With all of that in mind who should we throw our support behind this week? Let’s take a peek.
2017 British Open Championship Favorites:
Dustin Johnson +1200
Johnson tees it up for the first time since an almost unfathomable missed cut at the US Open – his second MC in a row! That said he is still #1 in the world and he has landed inside the top 10 in over half of his events played this year.
He is tops on TOUR in strokes gained off the tee, strokes gained tee to green and strokes gained total – an absolute monster all over the course.
[dfads params=’groups=248&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
He has three top-10 finishes in his last six Open starts, including a runner-up result in 2011 and has spent some extra time at Royal Birkdale preparing for this event. Translation – it would be crazy to count DJ out this week.
Jordan Spieth +1400
Spieth has rebounded from an unflattering stretch in the spring and has been coming on as of late including a runner-up finish at the Dean & Deluca, a T13 at the Memorial, an OK T35 at the US Open and nice win last time out at the Travelers.
His game is accuracy, strong iron play and putting which suits Royal Birkdale to a tee and he has never missed a cut in four tries at this event including a T4 in 2015.
Spieth thrives in the wind and is expected to be in the mix this week for sure.
Rickie Fowler +1400
Fowler enters as the hottest player in the world right now – four top 10s in his last five starts worldwide – three tops 5s in his last four!
Stats like 1st on TOUR in adjusted scoring, 32nd in driving distance, eighth in strokes gained approaching the green, 10th in strokes gained tee to green, ninth in both scrambling and bogey avoidance and fourth in strokes gained putting make him a threat indeed.
He has been terrific on links-style tracks in the past including a win in Scotland and three top 15s in previous Open Championships and seems poised for a Major breakthrough this week.
Fowler is a good bet to better his T11 at the Masters and fifth in the US Open this week – lovin me some Ricky!
2017 British Open Championship Contenders:
Jon Rahm +1600
Rookie continues to impress highlighted by one win and seven Top-10’s in between January and May and then an incredible six stroke win at the Irish Open in tournament record fashion a couple of weeks ago in similar conditions to the ones he will face this week.
This Spaniard has all the tools to win a Major sooner than later – a lack of Open experience is the only thing in his way.
That said, if he can keep his emotions in check, Rahm could be the victor this week.
Sergio Garcia +1600
With the “Major” monkey off his back Garcia hasn’t slowed all that much – he has been inside the top 30 in all five events since his Masters win including a T21 at the US Open and a runner-up finish in his last start at the BMW International Open.
He has finished inside the top 10 10 times at this tournament – incredible – including three straight top 6’s entering this year.
His game definitely suits links-style tracks – his ball striking, his tremendous history at this event and his current form make Sergio a name to watch this week.
Rory McIlroy +1800
Hmmm. Rory arrives in less-than-spectacular form – missed cuts the last two weeks overseas.
His history in this event suggests a turnaround however – a T3 in 2010, a win in this event in 2014, and a tie for fifth in 2016 suggest he could snap his funk in what has become his favorite Major.
His tee-to-green game is still elite and his pedigree is just too hard to ignore. If there is an event that Rory can snap his funk it here.
Hideki Matsuyama +2000
US Open runner-up Matsuyama has mostly struggled lately but a 14th place finish at the Irish Open has a few looking his way again. The Japanese sensation always seems to save his best for the biggest stages.
A top-notch ball striker, links-type courses seem to fit his eye – he was T6 at Muirfield in 2013 was his best finish at this event. Matsuyama is knocking on the door of elite status – a first Major would put him in that category.
Tommy Fleetwood +2000
Is on the radar this week thanks in part to a fourth-place finish at the US Open – he has since finished sixth in the BMW International, he won the HNA Open de France and most recently finishes 10th in the Irish Open – that’s four straight top 10s worldwide!
Birkdale is a home-game for Fleetwood – it could mean that familiarity will carry him or it could result in the insane pressure getting to him. He is as hot as any player in the field and could be that unsung guy that walks away with the title in his country’s Major.
Paul Casey +3300
Another Englishman has quietly been very good lately – a 26th at the US Open was his worst effort in a while. While his record here isn’t great, Casey has finished inside the top 12 in four if his last six starts overall including a T5 at the Travelers.
[dfads params=’groups=247&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
The last time the Open was held at Birkdale Casey finished T7 so there is a good history here. Current form and track familiarity have Casey on my radar this week – too bad about the +3300 pricetag.
2017 British Open Championship Sleepers: (+5000 or higher)
Matt Kuchar +5000
Is a player that utilizes a low ball flight that is perfect for the wind. He has finished inside the top 20 in his last five starts overall with three top 10s mixed in there – in season-best form as we head into this weekend.
Kuch has largely struggled at this event in the past but with none of the top dogs tearing the cover off the ball, he could be a sneaky threat.
Brandt Snedeker +7500
I love Sneds – his demeanour and his all-around game have me thinking he will do well here this week. He finished T22 in the Open last year and has since reeled off 12 top 20s including a T9 at the US Open and a T14 at the Travelers.
He’s a consistent ball striker with a solid putter – perfect attributes for Royal Birkdale.
Francesco Molinari +10000
Super Sleeper time! Molinari is a premier ball striker that knows his way around a European track! His putter has to cooperate however – if he can get a few to drop this Italian will be in the mix.
2017 British Open Championship Picks:
The pick this week is Ricky Fowler at +1400. His all-around game and terrific recent form finally pays off!
My sleeper is Brandt Snedeker at +7500. Iron play and a strong putter is a good formula for what the Open has to offer.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
Check back each week for your PGA golf gambling, handicapping info & free golf picks.
Full Odds To Win The 2017 Open Championship
- Dustin Johnson 12/1
- Jordan Spieth 12/1
- Jon Rahm 15/1
- Rickie Fowler 15/1
- Rory McIlroy 18/1
- Sergio Garcia 18/1
- Hideki Matsuyama 20/1
- Justin Rose 20/1
- Tommy Fleetwood 22/1
- Jason Day 25/1
- Adam Scott 28/1
- Henrik Stenson 30/1
- Brooks Koepka 35/1
- Paul Casey 35/1
- Phil Mickelson 35/1
- Justin Thomas 45/1
- Thomas Pieters 45/1
- Alex Noren 50/1
- Branden Grace 50/1
- Louis Oosthuizen 50/1
- Marc Leishman 50/1
- Matt Kuchar 60/1
- Patrick Reed 60/1
- Brandt Snedeker 65/1
- Ian Poulter 65/1
- Lee Westwood 65/1
- Padraig Harrington 65/1
- Rafael Cabrera Bello 65/1
- Shane Lowry 70/1
- Daniel Berger 80/1
- Andy Sullivan 85/1
- Charl Schwartzel 85/1
- Kevin Kisner 85/1
- Martin Kaymer 85/1
- Matthew Fitzpatrick 85/1
- Tyrrell Hatton 85/1
- Zach Johnson 85/1
- Francesco Molinari 90/1
- Bernd Wiesberger 100/1
- Charley Hoffman 100/1
- Peter Uihlein 100/1
- Xander Schauffele 100/1
- Jason Dufner 120/1
- Ross Fisher 120/1
- Brian Harman 125/1
- Bryson DeChambeau 125/1
- Chris Wood 125/1
- Tony Finau 125/1
- Bill Haas 130/1
- J.B. Holmes 130/1
- Steve Stricker 130/1
- Andrew Johnston 150/1
- Bubba Watson 150/1
- Charles Howell III 150/1
- Russell Henley 150/1
- Si Woo Kim 150/1
- Thorbjorn Olesen 150/1
- Adam Hadwin 160/1
- Byeong Hun An 160/1
- Emiliano Grillo 160/1
- Hideto Tanihara 160/1
- Jimmy Walker 165/1
- Kevin Chappell 165/1
- Kyle Stanley 165/1
- Russell Knox 165/1
- Ryan Fox 175/1
- Soren Kjeldsen 175/1
- Billy Horschel 200/1
- Brendan Steele 200/1
- Martin Laird 200/1
- Pat Perez 200/1
- Ryan Moore 200/1
- Cameron Smith 225/1
- Gary Woodland 225/1
- Jamie Lovemark 225/1
- Kevin Na 225/1
- Webb Simpson 225/1
- Joost Luiten 250/1
- Wesley Bryan 250/1
- William McGirt 250/1
- Alexander Levy 275/1
- Anirban Lahiri 275/1
- Brandon Stone 275/1
- Callum Shinkwin 275/1
- Danny Willett 275/1
- Dylan Frittelli 275/1
- Ernie Els 275/1
- Fabrizio Zanotti 275/1
- Haotong Li 275/1
- Matthew Southgate 275/1
- Pablo Larrazabal 275/1
- Stewart Cink 275/1
- Sung Kang 275/1
- Jhonattan Vegas 300/1
- Richard Bland 300/1
- Sean OHair 300/1
- Alexander Bjork 325/1
- David Drysdale 325/1
- David Horsey 325/1
- Jeunghun Wang 325/1
- Julian Suri 325/1
- K.T. Kim 325/1
- Richie Ramsay 325/1
- Paul Waring 350/1
- Robert Streb 350/1
- Thongchai Jaidee 350/1
- Scott Hend 400/1
- Aaron Baddeley 500/1
- Andrew Dodt 500/1
- Austin Connelly 500/1
- David Lipsky 500/1
- Matthieu Pavon 500/1
- Sebastian Munoz 500/1
- Shiv Kapur 500/1
- Paul Lawrie 550/1
- Phachara Khongwatmai 550/1
- Roberto Castro 550/1
- Darren Fichardt 600/1
- Jbe’ Kruger 600/1
- Mike Lorenzo-Vera 600/1
- Younghan Song 600/1
- Yusaku Miyazato 600/1
- Yuta Ikeda 600/1
- Maverick McNealy 650/1
- John Daly 750/1
- Adam Bland 1000/1
- Ashley Hall 1000/1
- Chan Kim 1000/1
- Connor Syme 1000/1
- Giwhan Kim 1000/1
- Harry Ellis 1000/1
- Haydn McCullen 1000/1
- Joe Dean 1000/1
- Kent Bulle 1000/1
- Luca Cianchetti 1000/1
- Mark Foster 1000/1
- Mark O’Meara 1000/1
- Matthew Griffin 1000/1
- Michael Hendry 1000/1
- Paul Broadhurst 1000/1
- Prayad Marksaeng 1000/1
- Robert Dinwiddie 1000/1
- Shaun Norris 1000/1
- Stuart Manley 1000/1
- Toby Tree 1000/1
- Tom Lehman 1000/1
- Yikeun Chang 1000/1
- Adam Hodkinson 2000/1
- Darren Clarke 2000/1
- David Duval 2000/1
- Nicholas McCarthy 2000/1
- Ryan McCarthy 2000/1
- Sandy Lyle 2000/1
- Todd Hamilton 2000/1
- Odds courtesy Bovada.lv