Open Championship Picks, Predictions & Odds For 2026
By Michael Harrison in Golf
Published:
- The Open Championship tees off Thursday, July 16th, for the final major of 2026
- Scottie Scheffler is the +590 favorite to win his second straight Claret Jug over Rory McIlroy
- See my 2026 Open Championship picks, best value bets, and the odds to win the tournament
After Tom Kim won the Genesis Scottish Open in the final tune-up before the Open Championship, the world’s best head to Royal Birkdale Golf Club for the final major of the season. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion of this tournament, and he’s the favorite to go back-to-back, however he’s coming off his first missed cut since 2022.
The last time the Claret Jug was up for grabs at this venue was in 2017, with Jordan Spieth emerging victorious at -12, but before that was Padraig Harrington in 2008 with a winning score of +3. The major champions of 2026 are Rory McIlroy (Masters), Aaron Rai (PGA Championship) and Wyndham Clark (U.S. Open). It’s a par-70 track with just two par 5’s, both of which come on the back nine holes.
Open Championship Odds (2026)
I’m starting my card this week with Sam Burns, who was oh-so-close to claiming his first major triumph at the U.S. Open last month. He wound up second to Wyndham Clark, but Burns have been knocking on the door more recently in majors, with a T-7th at the Masters to his credit in 2026 as well.
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Odds as of 9:47 pm ET on Sunday, July 12th, at DraftKings. Check out the full list of DraftKings deposit methods.
Last 5 Open Championship Winners
Though Burns doesn’t have a top-10 in his career at the Open, he was close to snagging the Memorial Tournament title, where he finished T-4th last month. His odds are +4200, which is longer than the top-twelve golfers on the board, so there’s tremendous value on the five-time PGA Tour champion.
Open Championship 2026 Picks & Value Bets
- Viktor Hovland +4500 at DraftKings: Viktor Hovland has been playing some inspired golf of late, picking up his eight career PGA Tour trophy at the Travelers Championship in June. Before that, the Norwegian was third at the RBC Canadian Open, and he was T-13th at the Genesis Scottish Open. He has a top-five to his credit at the Open in his career, in 2022, and is due to break through on the major stage.
- Bryson DeChambeau +5456 (1.8¢) at Kalshi: It’s most certainly been a year to forget for Bryson DeChambeau in the majors, as he’s missed the cut in all three of them. Still, his number has drifted out to this price, so I have to take the bait and jump on it. The two-time U.S. Open champion (2020, 2024), does have two victories on LIV for the campaign, along with a trio of third place showings. He’s put together a pair of top-10s at the Open Championship in his career, in 2022 and 2025.
- Tom Kim +6400 at DraftKings: I had Tom Kim to be first round leader at the Genesis Scottish Open, and he didn’t disappoint. My only regret is not also picking him to win, as he claimed his fourth PGA Tour title. I was on him to win the tourney before (John Deere Classic), but I see no reason why he can’t contend at yet another major. Kim finished third at last month’s U.S. Open, and was T-2nd at the 2023 Open Championship.
- Harris English +16500 (0.6¢) at Kalshi: Harris English hasn’t been firing on all cylinders this season, but last year had a pair of runner-ups in majors. That includes the Open Championship, where only Scottie Scheffler defeated him. He’s the lone player above +10000 that I can see actually legitimately making a run at this title, so I love the +16500 price for him. While winning might be a stretch, he’ll be interesting to monitor in the top 5/10/20 markets.
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Sports & Entertainment Writer
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 20 years, is the CEO of his "All Bets Par Off" weekly golf betting videos and his HDOG POD, along with several others.
