2021 British Open Championship 3rd Round Updated Odds, Picks and Preview

• Louis Oosthuizen leads the 149th Open Championship by two shots after round two
• Oosthuizen is the slight betting favorite to win outright over Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth
• See the updated odds at Royal St. George’s Golf Club below for Saturday’s third round within the story below

Louis Oosthuizen continues to showcase his vast talents at major championships, shooting the lowest 36-hole total in the history of this prestigious championship (129, -11). In his last nine rounds at the major events, the 2010 Open winner has been inside the top-3 in each instance. He hasn’t been able to capture a major this season, however, settling for runner-ups at the PGA Championship and US Open.

Oosthuizen has opened up a two shot edge heading into the weekend over 2020 PGA champion Collin Morikawa, and he’s three up on 2017 Open winner Jordan Spieth. Heading into the week, his odds to win a second Claret Jug were +3000, but those have dropped all the way down to +220 through two days. Some notable golfers that won’t be pursuing him following a missed cut include Patrick Cantlay, Patrick Reed and 2021 PGA Champion Phil Mickelson.

Read on to see the updated Open Championship odds and the best bets heading into Saturday’s third round.

Updated 2021 British Open Championship Odds

Odds as of July 16th at 5:00pm EST

Morikawa Continues Solid Form

We were high on 2020 PGA champion Collin Morikawa entering the week with +3500 odds to win outright, and he’s continued his strong play. Through two days, he has just two bogeys while hitting over 77 percent of the greens. He’s dangerous when the putter cooperates, and it’s doing just that, as he’s tied for first in putts per green in regulation.

There’s a very big reason we were bullish on his chances this week despite this being his first ever Open Championship, and that’s been because of his phenomenal recent form.

Collin Morikawa’s Last Six Individual Tournaments

He’s been outstanding, as he’s racked up six straight top-20’s, including two top-10’s in the last two majors, and a runner-up in a playoff at the Memorial. On the campaign he’s first in strokes gained tee-to-green, so that part isn’t a worry for the fourth ranked golfer in the world. When the flatstick is working, he’s downright unstoppable.

Though his odds are so low now at +450, he still has to be strongly considered, especially with Oosthuizen displaying a penchant for numerous runner-ups in majors, rather than going the distance to earn the trophy. That hasn’t been an issue for Morikawa early in his career, as he already has a PGA Championship to his credit, along with this year’s WGC-Workday Championship.

2021 British Open Best Live Value Picks

1. Dustin Johnson (+800): Johnson was another one of our pre-tournament picks because he finished runner-up at this track in 2011. He sits in a tie for fourth entering moving day after a Friday 65, his ninth round in a major with that score, or better. He has racked up eleven birdies through 36 holes.
2. Brooks Koepka (+1800): Brooks Koepka will need to make up serious ground as he enters the weekend six back, but he’s shown he can make birdies in bunches, posting eight of them Friday. His incredible major record, which includes four major titles gives him an edge along with intimidation factor. Nine of the last twelve majors he’s been inside the top-7, including a T-2 and a T-4 in the last two outings.