According to a report by Cbssports.com, the Royal Liverpool golf course has undergone noticeable changes since it last hosted the Open Championship nine years ago. However, despite these changes, the players who are among the betting favorites for the final major of 2023 have remained relatively consistent.
Heading into the tournament, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is the frontrunner, having recently secured his 24th career PGA Tour title at the Scottish Open. Following his runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, McIlroy’s odds stood at 9-1, establishing him as the sole favorite leading up to the site of his 2014 Open Championship victory.
However, McIlroy faces tough competition from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is also listed as a co-favorite with odds of 6-1. The 2023 Masters champion, Jon Rahm, follows closely behind at 12-1, with reigning PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka sitting at 16-1. Defending Open champion Cameron Smith and Viktor Hovland round out the top five with odds of 18-1.
The 2023 Open odds, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook, provide insight into the highly anticipated event. Golf enthusiasts can also access expert picks and predictions from CBS Sports‘ golf team, as well as Kyle Porter‘s list of the nine golfers most likely to claim the Claret Jug.
While much attention will be on McIlroy’s return, it is important to acknowledge the impressive position of Rickie Fowler. After failing to qualify for five of the eight major championships between 2020-21 and ranking outside the top 100 globally, Fowler now stands as the fourth betting favorite. With three top-six finishes in 11 Open appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2014, Fowler has defied the odds.
Another notable player is Jordan Spieth, whose odds have dropped significantly in recent weeks. Once listed as low as 15-1, Spieth’s performance has declined since sustaining a back injury at the Wells Fargo Championship and injuring his wrist later that week. Despite previous success at the Open, the 2017 champion has struggled in recent tournaments.
Out of the nine players highlighted above, six have major championship titles to their name. While players like Tim Clark are also expected to perform well, the U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is garnering significant interest.
Given that Royal Liverpool tends to favor strong driving abilities, DeChambeau’s reputation as a powerful driver makes him an intriguing contender. With solid performances at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, including a runner-up finish at LIV Golf Andalucia and a top-10 finish at St. Andrews last year, DeChambeau could prove to be a worthy bet.
As golf fans eagerly anticipate the Open Championship, the question of who will come out on top and which longshots will surprise the golfing world remains unanswered. For more insights and a projected Open leaderboard, individuals can visit SportsLine, which boasts a track record of accurately predicting golf majors, including this year’s Masters.
