2026 British Open Odds and Betting Favorites: Burns on the Cusp of Maiden Major

It’s hard to believe, but the final major championship of the 2026 PGA Tour is upon us. Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, plays host to the 154th version of The Open Championship beginning July 16. It’s no surprise that the British Open odds are led by the world’s number one ranked player, Scottie Scheffler, who is still searching for just his second win of the season after winning the year’s inaugural event.

As always, there are many other golfers teeing it up who should give him a run for his money and should be strongly considered when examining the odds to win the British Open.

When looking at the British Open betting odds, marquee names headline the list; however, searching outside of those names could prove to be beneficial, as there is plenty of value to be found in the British Open sleeper picks. With three different winners in the year’s first three majors, you can’t always trust the top players in the world to bring home the hardware.

With the British Open cut line in play, the field of golfers will have Thursday and Friday to find themselves inside the top 70, plus ties, if they want to play through the weekend.

⛳ The Open Championship 2026 Odds

Odds provided by FanDuel, DraftKings, and bet365 – accurate as of July 18

Current Favorites to win the 2026 British Open

Sam Burns | +142 at DraftKings

Sam Burns has emerged as the player to beat heading into Sunday’s final round, and the latest British Open odds reflect just how commanding his position has become. The American sits at 10-under par, carrying a two-shot lead over Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim after firing a composed five-under 65 on Saturday at Royal Birkdale. Burns has looked calm under pressure all week, combining accurate iron play with a red-hot putter as he chases the first major championship of his career.

The Sam Burns to win British Open odds are also fueled by motivation. Just a month ago, Burns came agonizingly close to capturing the U.S. Open before falling one stroke short to Wyndham Clark at Shinnecock Hills, a heartbreaking runner-up finish that has only strengthened his resolve. With a two-shot cushion entering the final 18 holes, Burns has a golden opportunity to turn that recent disappointment into redemption by finally breaking through for his maiden major title.

Si Woo Kim | +500 at FanDuel

Si Woo Kim has put himself firmly in contention after climbing to 8-under par, just two shots behind Sam Burns entering Sunday’s final round. While the latest British Open odds still have him behind the leader, Kim has been one of the steadiest players in the field thanks to his sharp iron play and ability to avoid costly mistakes. He also enters the final round with confidence after already proving he can contend on golf’s biggest stages, making him a legitimate threat to erase the deficit if Burns falters.

Anyone who followed our Open Championship sleeper picks shouldn’t be surprised to see Kim near the top of the leaderboard. We identified him as a value play before the tournament because of his excellent ball-striking, strong links-style pedigree, and consistent recent form. Those factors have translated into a genuine chance at lifting the Claret Jug, and the current Si Woo Kim to win British Open odds still offer value for bettors looking to back a proven winner chasing his second major championship.

Ryan Fox | +790 at DraftKings

Ryan Fox has quietly played his way into serious contention, sitting at 8-under par and just two shots behind Sam Burns entering the final round. The New Zealander has been one of the most consistent players all week, relying on his powerful driving and composed short game to stay near the top of the leaderboard. With the latest British Open odds tightening considerably, Fox has every opportunity to capture his first major championship if he can apply pressure early on Sunday and continue the steady form that has carried him through three rounds.

We identified Fox as one of our Scottish Open sleeper picks last week thanks to his strong links pedigree and impressive recent form, making him one of our favorite value plays during the U.K. swing. That confidence has carried over to Royal Birkdale, where the Ryan Fox to win British Open odds have shortened dramatically as he enters the final round with a legitimate chance to lift the Claret Jug.

Bryson DeChambeau | +1400 at bet365

Bryson DeChambeau remains firmly in the hunt at 6-under par, four shots behind Sam Burns entering Sunday’s final round. Despite the setback, the two-time U.S. Open champion has shown the resilience that makes him one of golf’s most dangerous closers, and the latest British Open odds still give him a realistic path to contention. If DeChambeau can get off to a fast start and apply early pressure to the leaders, his power and birdie-making ability could quickly erase the deficit.

Much of the conversation surrounding DeChambeau this week has centered on the controversial two-stroke penalty he received after officials ruled he had inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing in the thick rough during Friday’s second round. The penalty dropped him from one shot off the lead to three back and sparked a lengthy dispute with R&A officials, becoming the biggest talking point of the championship. Even so, the Bryson DeChambeau to win British Open odds remain attractive for bettors who believe he can channel that frustration into a Sunday charge for the Claret Jug.

Ludvig Aberg | +1400 at bet365

Ludvig Åberg has quietly put together one of the most impressive performances of the week, sitting at 6-under par and four shots behind Sam Burns entering the final round. While much of the attention has focused on the players at the top of the leaderboard, the Swedish star has steadily climbed the standings with his trademark ball-striking and consistency from tee to green. The latest British Open odds suggest he’s still very much in the mix, especially if the leaders come back to the field on Sunday.

Åberg continues to prove why he’s considered one of golf’s brightest young stars despite still searching for his first major championship. His calm demeanor and elite iron play have kept him within striking distance all week, and a low round on Sunday could be enough to challenge for the Claret Jug. The Ludvig Åberg to win British Open odds still offer value for bettors looking to back a player with the talent to make a late charge and capture his maiden major title.

✨ 2026 The Open Championship Debutants: Fresh Faces at Royal Birkdale

The UK’s national open features several first-time participants who have earned entry via various qualifying events. Here’s a look at some of the first-time competitors looking to rise up in The Open Championship odds once the tournament begins.

• Angel Ayora
• Jacob Bridgeman
• Jack Buchanan
• Eugenio Chacarra
• MJ Daffue
• Alejandro De Castro Piera
• Alistair Docherty
• Ryan Gerrard
• Stuart Grehan
• Lev Grinberg
• Jeongwoo Ham
• Michael Hollick
• David Howard
• Mason Howell
• Casey Jarvis
• Cameron John
• Kota Kaneko
• Naoyuki Kataoka
• Jake Knapp
• Frederic Lacroix
• Joakim Lagergren
• Fifa Laopakdee
• Francesco Laporta
• Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
• James Nicholas
• Marcus Plunkett
• Mateo Pulicini
• Nevill Ruiter
• Baard Bjoernevik Skogen
• Tom Sloman
• Jackson Suber
• Caleb Surratt
• Austen Truslow
• Tim Wiedemeyer
• Jiho Yang
• Ren Yonezawa

British Open Betting Trends

Being ranked among the world’s top 30 has proven to be a key factor in finding a winner amongst The Open Championship odds. Since 2000, 22 of the 25 winners have been ranked in this area, representing an 88% success rate. Going deeper into this trend, 14 of the 25 winners were ranked in the top 10, at a 56% clip. Only once in this span has a golfer been ranked outside of the top 50 in the official world golf rankings, which is just 4% of the last 25 winners.

Strong recent form has also been a recipe for success at the British Open since 2015, so keep an eye on the Scottish Open – and our Scottish Open sleeper picks. Top-10 finishes in the six to 10 weeks leading up to the event have proven to be great stats heading into the event. 2025 champion Scottie Scheffler had five straight top-seven finishes leading up to his win last year, while Brian Harman had three top-12 finishes and five consecutive cuts made ahead of his win in 2023.

Players who have finished well in the previous three majors also make for great plays at the British Open. Outside of Scheffler and Harman, when Cameron Smith won in 2022, he had finished tied for third at the Masters and tied for fourth at the U.S. Open. In 2021, Collin Morikawa finished tied for 18th at the Masters, tied for eighth at the PGA Championship and tied for fourth at the U.S. Open. In 2019, Shane Lowry entered the tournament having finished tied for 21st at the Masters, tied for eighth at the PGA Championship, and tied for 28th at the U.S. Open.

🏆 British Open Winners and Cut Line in the 21st Century

The Open Championship uses a 36-hole cut, with the top 70 players and ties advancing to the weekend. The British Open cut line has varied from 1-under (2006) to 9-over (2008) since 2000, highlighting how dramatically weather and course conditions can affect scoring.

How to read British Open betting odds

Reading the British Open betting odds is the same as reading the odds for any other golf tournament or sporting event. In golf, if a player is +2500 to win the event, then you will receive $25 back for every $1 you wager. Another way to bet is a “yes” or “no” wager, like whether there will be an albatross; “yes” has odds of +3000, and “no” has odds of -2000. This means that you would have to bet $10 to win $300 on the “yes” outcome and $200 to win $10 on the “no” result.

Check out our how to bet on golf guide for more specialized info about reading odds and other Open Championship odds markets available.

How to bet on the British Open

Betting on the British Open is no different than betting on any other golf tournament. In golf, there are many ways to wager, with more options usually available in a major championship. Options to bet on range from whether a player will record a hole-in-one to how many eagles, birdies, pars, or bogeys a player will make in a round. You can also wager on daily 18-hole head-to-head pairings, 3-ball matchups, or target safer Top 10 and Top 20 finish props using the best sportsbooks.

As one of the biggest betting events of the summer, top sportsbooks heavily compete for your action. Capitalizing on the best sportsbook promos before the tournament can give you a massive edge, offering odds boosts on favorites, bet-and-get deals, or expanded place terms that pay out if your pick finishes in the top 8 to 10 spots.

📅 2026 British Open Tournament Information

• Dates: June 16-19, 2026
• Course: Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England
• Defending Champion: Scottie Scheffler

📺 2026 British Open: How to Watch

❓ The Open Championship Odds FAQs

Who has won the most British Open titles?

With a record of six times, Harry Vardon has won the most British Open titles. Vardon also won the 1900 U.S. Open to give him a total of seven major championship wins throughout his playing days. Over his exceptional career, Vardon recorded an incredible 48 wins.

When was the first British Open played?

The first-ever British Open was held back in 1860 when Willie Park Sr. defeated Old Tom Morris by two shots. Now, as the players get set to tee it up at Royal Portrush Golf Club, the British Open will be taking place for the 153rd time. Next year the British Open will be played at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England.

Is the British Open always played on a link-style course?

The British Open has always been played on a coastal link golf course in either Scotland, England, or Northern Ireland. Since 1973, there has typically been a five-year rotation of three British Opens in Scotland and two in England. St. Andrews usually plays host to the tournament once every five years.

What is the largest margin of victory at the British Open?

In 1862, Old Tom Morris won the British Open, blowing away the field by 13 strokes. The win for Morris was the second British Open win of his career that would see him win four in total. The four wins for Morris came over a seven-year span that saw either himself or Willie Park Sr. win the British Open six out of seven years.

How many times has Royal Birkdale Golf Club hosted the British Open?

Royal Birkdale has previously hosted 10 British Opens. The first was in 1954 when Peter Thomson won the title. The prize for winning that year was $750 Euros. When Jordan Spieth won the last time it was held there in 2017, the winning prize was $1,420,000 Euros.

What is the best score ever posted in the British Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club?

By shooting -14 in 1971, Lee Trevino has the best final score in a British Open played at Royal Birkdale. In 2017, Jordan Spieth shot the second-best winning score, posting -12. The highest winning score was when Padraig Harrington won with a score of +3 in 2008.