Open Championship Predictions
The fourth major of the 2019 golf season gets started very early on Thursday morning, with The Open Championship teeing off. Here’s three golfers we like to contend for the victory this weekend in Europe.
According to the latest oddsmakers, Rory McIlroy is favored to win the major, as he is listed with 8/1 odds. Other short odds to win are Brooks Koepka (10/1), Jon Rahm (14/1) and Dustin Johnson (16/1). The 2019 Open Championship takes place Thursday-Sunday from Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Northern Ireland.
960001 Rory McIlroy 8/1
Of the top favorites, I like McIlroy the most. Koepka hasn’t done well in this major despite his dominant showings in other majors and DJ doesn’t have a lot of major victories to rely on. McIlroy won this event in 2014 and has finished in the top five the last three years. This year, he has finished in the top 10 in two of the majors and has 11 top-10 finishes over 14 tournaments in 2019. Add to that, that the tournament is in his home country of Northern Ireland, and he seems like the definite favorite to win the major.
960007 Francesco Molinari 25/1
The defending champion has some solid odds to win this weekend and I think he brings a lot of value to the table. While the 2019 season hasn’t been his best, he still owns a win and has missed just one cut. Like Koepka, Molinari tends to raise his game for majors. Since winning last year, he finished sixth in the 2018 PGA Championship and fifth at the 2019 Masters. He also was 16th at the 2019 U.S. Open. I like Molinari’s consistent game for an event like this. He won’t be spraying the ball all over the place and can avoid the big mistakes.
9600024 Rafa Cabrera Bello 66/1
If you are really looking for a longshot this weekend, I introduce you to Cabrera Bello. The Spaniard is looking to win his first major and get his first victory since 2017, but there are signs that this weekend could be his breakthrough moment. RBC has been playing in Europe for the last month and has picked up three straight top-10 finishes. He should be well prepped for this course based on playing these three events. The Open Championship is also the major he has his best major finish ever. He placed fourth in 2017. There’s very low risk and the chance for a big reward here.