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Woodland, McDowell, Oosthuizen Shoot up the Open Championship Odds

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Apr 13, 2020 · 12:27 PM PDT

Gary Woodland
After winning the US Open, can Gary Woodland win another major? Photo By Peetlesnumber1 (Wiki Commons) [CC License]
  • The 148th Open Championship tees off Thursday, July 18, 2019
  • US Open champ Gary Woodland, Graeme McDowell & Louis Oosthuizen have seen odds shorten
  • Who offers the best value to win the season’s final major?

The Open Championship is just three weeks away offering the final shot in 2019 to capture an elusive major championship. There are no shortage of top golfers playing quality golf headed by the favorite Brooks Koepka.

Three former major champions, including the most recent US Open winner Gary Woodland, along with Graeme McDowell & Louis Oosthuizen have seen their Open Championship odds drop substantially. Who is the best bet to wager on?

2019 Open Championship Odds

Golfer 2019 Open Championship Odds
Brooks Koepka +750
Rory McIlroy +900
Tiger Woods +1000
Dustin Johnson +1200
Justin Rose +1400
Jordan Spieth +1800
Francesco Molinari +1800
Rickie Fowler +2000
Jon Rahm +2000
Xander Schauffele +2200

*Odds taken 06/27/19. Follow the link in the table above to see all options.

Gary Woodland Not Likely to Win Back-to-Back Majors

Gary Woodland certainly proved that he can be a world class player, demolishing Pebble Beach en route to his first career major championship at the US Open. That led to his average odds for the Open Championship falling from 80-1 before the US Open to an average of 43-1.

To expect Woodland, whose US Open triumph was just his second tour win in the last six years, to double dip in majors is probably too tall a task.

Only two golfers (Jordan Spieth, 2015, Rory McIlroy 2014), have won two straight major titles since 2008.

Graeme McDowell’s Chances Increase at Home Golf Course

Earlier in the year Graeme McDowell was lost with his game, but all that changed when he won the Corales Puntacana Resort Championship in March. Since then he’s been solid, posting two top-10’s and a pair of respectable showings at the PGA Championship & US Open.

His odds have shortened from 100-1 to 54-1, which is very enticing because the Open is being contested at his home course, Royal Portrush. The biggest sticking point to going all-in on McDowell is his less than stellar record in majors since winning the 2010 US Open (just one top-10 in last 22 majors).

He’s been hanging around enough leaderboards this year and the odds are long enough that he’s worth placing a bet on given his course knowledge. Placing a top-5 or top-10 bet on him might be just what the doctor ordered.

Pass on a Louis Oosthuizen Wager

Since winning the claret jug in 2010, Louis Oosthuizen has been a hard luck bridesmaid, completing the career runner-up grand slam. The fact that he’s seemingly always in contention at least gives you a punchers chance nearly every major (one missed cut in last 11.)

While he’s won the Open and finished runner-up in another one, those were both at St. Andrews. In his eight other Open appearances, he’s been no better than 19th. Save yourself the inevitable heartbreak of another potential close call and stay away from Oosthuizen.

Last 5 Open Championship Winners

Year Winner
2018 Francesco Molinari
2017 Jordan Spieth
2016 Henrik Stenson
2015 Zach Johnson
2014 Rory McIlroy

The Best Value Bet to Win 2019 Open Championship

In terms of value, Xander Schauffele at +2600 offers you your best bang for your buck. In his last six majors, he’s posted an impressive four top-6 finishes including a second place showing in last year’s Open Championship and second and third place results in this year’s Masters and US Open.

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