Golf’s final major of 2021 is now heading for the final round with the British Open 2021 approaching championship day at Royal St Georges in Sandwich, England.
It’s a hallowed date in the annual golf calendar as the world’s best battle it out with the winner taking home the famous ‘Claret Jug’ Sunday evening.
This tournament has played host to some of golf’s greatest moments and duels – think Jack Nicklaus vs Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson vs Henrik Stenson and the late, great Severiano Ballesteros and that epic celebration on 18 at St Andrews in 1984.
In 2021 the current crop of superstars will look to write their names into the history books, headed by newly-crowned US Open champion Jon Rahm. Northern Irish superstar Rory McIlroy meanwhile will look to build on his fine finish at Torrey Pines to claim another Major here.
One thing is for sure, we get four days of spectacular golf and add to that golf betting heaven now that it is legal in so many U.S. states. Here’s all we know as we head into the final round Sunday.
British Open 2021 Odds
In-form South African Louis Oosthuizen still heads the leaderboard and the odds to win the 2021 British Open, but it is now tight at the top.
Oosthuizen (-12) leads by just one shot from Collin Morikawa after the pair shot 69 and 68 respectively Saturday. Louis is now best odds of +162 to hang on for the win, with Morikawa available at +200. As close as it gets.
Jordan Spieth had led the money line betting after the opening round, and he is still very much in the hunt for that Claret Jug. He fired 69 Saturday and sits on -9 – three shots off the lead. He is +550 to win Sunday evening.
U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm continued to claw himself back into contention after a disastrous opening round Thursday. A 68 Saturday means he is now on -7 for the tournament, five shots behind Oosthuizen. If you think he can pull off an unlikely turnaround Sunday, you can bet Rahm at +1800 right now.
Scottie Scheffler (-7) is also a +1400 shot while Dustin Johnson (-7) and Brooks Koepka (-5) are both on +2000.
There are two players bracketed on -8 going into the final round – Scottie Scheffler and Corey Connors. Scottie is a +2500 chance with Corey on +3500.
Best odds with online bookmakers to win the 2021 British Open are as follows (sportsbook in brackets):
- +162 Louis Oosthuizen (bet365)
- +200 Collin Morikawa (William Hill, bet365, Resorts)
- +550 Jordan Spieth (BetMGM, Borgata)
- +1800 Jon Rahm (FanDuel, bet365)
- +2500 Scottie Scheffler (PointsBet)
- +3500 Corey Connors (PointsBet)
NB: Odds correct and updated at 1600 ET on July 17, 2021.
Free and expert British Open picks
The British Open returns after a year sabbatical due to the coronavirus crisis, and it’s a welcome return for the oldest tournament in golf. Royal St Georges in Sandwich is the host this time around and some of the world’s best golfers got their preparation in at the Scottish Open in Aberdeen this weekend.
Outsider Min Woo Lee collected the title, beating Belgian Thomas Detry and Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick in the playoff, but there were some excellent performances elsewhere from some leading players this week.
Jon Rahm’s sensational form continued, finishing just two back of the leaders, and he’ll be looking to build on his US Open triumph last month and should be respected. Likewise Justin Thomas, who isn’t a player known for having a particularly good record outside of the US, carded a 65 on his final round to set himself up nicely for this week.
Rory McIlroy’s form has also improved greatly after a testing start to the year and he is, as usual, considered among the favourites. And we’ll stick to the Brits this week. Fitzpatrick (+4200) was unfortunate indeed not to win in Aberdeen and his form has been good. He has a succession of top-10 finishes in the US and while he ultimately finished just outside the top 20 in the USPGA, a weak finish cost him what could have been an excellent week.
He’s in a good spot with his game, will feel confident despite failure in Aberdeen and he is due a genuine run in a major championship. He looks good value for a small wager to win, plus a bigger bet to finish in the top 10.
OddsCritic British Open Picks 2021
- Matthew Fitzpatrick to win at +4200 (FanDuel)
- Matthew FItzpatrick to finish in the top 10 at +400 (Resorts)
When is the British Open in 2021?
The tournament gets under way at Royal St Georges in Sandwich on Thursday July 15. It runs through Sunday July 18.
How to follow the British Open live on TV
Great news for golf fans – wall-to-wall action on your screens Sunday.
Golf Channel is on air 0230 ET to 0600, with NBC taking over 0600-1400.
The course – Royal St Georges at Sandwich
The course for the 2021 British Open is Royal St Georges in Sandwich, Kent. It’s the first time the tournament has headed there since Darren Clarke notched a famous victory back in 2011.
Royal St Georges is 7,204 yards long (6,587 m) and has a par of 70.