Odds to Lead After First Round at 2019 British Open: Rory McIlroy Favored

• The Open Championship tees off Thursday, July 18th from Royal Portrush
• Rory McIlroy listed as favorite to lead after the first round
• Who are the best value picks to lead after 18 holes?

The 2019 Open Championship is just days away with Rory McIlroy the odds-on favorite to take home his second career Claret Jug.

In all of his four major titles, he’s been front and center early in the event, leading after the first round twice en route to victory. Will he be able to grab the first round lead this time around or does someone else present the best value?

2019 Open Championship First Round Leader Odds

Odds taken 07/15/19. 

Rory McIlroy the Favorite on Home Turf

If Rory McIlroy is to win his second Open Championship, historically speaking he’ll need to get off to a strong start. In his four career major titles, he’s been no worse than one shot off the lead after day one.

Rory McIlroy’s First Round Position in 4 Major Victories

In the majors this season, the Ulsterman has posted opening rounds of 73 (Masters), 72 (PGA Championship) and 68 (US Open). McIlroy is a respectable 26th in scoring average on tour this season but the main key is that he’ll be teeing off at 10 am local time, where there’s expected to be showers. I’d hold off on betting McIlroy.

Brooks Koepka an Auto-Bet to Lead After First Round

It’s gotten to the point where if you bet against Brooks Koepka you’re doing so at your peril. He co-led after the first round of this year’s Masters and held the outright lead after day one of the PGA Championship, en route to the wire-to-wire victory. While he was four shots out of the lead after 18 holes of the US Open, the safer option between he and McIlroy would be wagering on Koepka (+2200) given that he’s been in contention in way more majors recently.

Matt Kuchar a Solid Choice to Lead Open Championship After First Round

Matt Kuchar has been playing fantastic golf, with two victories this season and two runner-ups. He also is leading the season-long FedEx Cup race as well and held a share of the first round lead last week at the Scottish Open.

Best cumulative score to par in majors since beginning of 2017:@BKoepka -64 (!!!)@RickieFowler -29@JordanSpieth -27
Matt Kuchar -21

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) July 15, 2019

13 of his 16 first rounds this season have seen Kuchar post a score in the 60’s, which bodes well in projecting whether he’ll do it this week. Kuchar is also atop the Tour in first round scoring, so at +4000, he’s definitely worth a look this week.

PGA Tour First Round Scoring Leaders

Last 5 Open Championship First Round Leaders

2019 Open Championship First Round Leader Best Value Picks

1. Graeme McDowell (+6600): Nobody has played Royal Portrush more than local product McDowell, who has posted a victory on tour this season and is 11th in first round scoring average this season.
2. Bernd Wiesberger (+6600): All Wiesberger has done is win his last event and finish second in the one prior to that. Also picked up a victory in May in Denmark.
3. Nate Lashley (+20000): Wild long shot with huge upside. Won the Rocket Mortgage Classic in six-shot romp at the end of June for first victory. Second in first round scoring average on the campaign and was two strokes off lead after first round of US Open.