The Open Championship Golf Betting: What to Look Out For

Key Factors Affecting The Open Championship

Changes to the Old Course since 2022

St Andrews has undergone a series of changes ahead of the 2027 Open, its most significant lengthening since the early 2000s. We have taken a look at what some of the changes are heading into the tournament below:

• The course has been lengthened by 132 yards across six holes (the 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, and 16th), taking the total championship yardage to 7,445 yards.

• The par-5 5th sees the biggest single increase, adding 35 yards via a new back tee.

• The teeing grounds on the 11th and 16th holes have been enlarged, while the championship tees on the 12th and 14th have been shifted.

• A historic playing route has been restored to the left of the Principal's Nose and Deacon Sime bunkers at the par-4 16th, with two new bunkers added on that side.

• Bunkers have been relocated on the 2nd fairway, with new additions on the 6th, 9th, and 10th.

The changes are designed to protect the challenge of the course against the modern professional game, following record-fast rounds during the 2022 Open.

Our betting strategy hub covers plenty more Major previews like this one

Weather Forecast

At a links course exposed to the East Neuk coastline, the forecast is hugely impactful heading into the event. St Andrews can be a scoreable course in calm, dry conditions, but strong winds off the North Sea can quickly turn the Old Course into one of the toughest tests in golf.

If you are still finding your feet with golf betting more generally, our golf betting strategy guide is the best place to start first.

Best Open Championship Golf Betting Markets

With so many different golf betting markets available on the major, we have looked at the most popular below.

• Outright Winner - A simple way to bet on The Open Championship, simply predict who you think will win the tournament overall. Get your bet right for a chance to win.

• Top Finishes - Often presented with the choice of Top 5, Top 10, and Top 20, place your bets on who you think will end the tournament in these particular places.

• First Round Leader - A great option for backing fast starters in morning conditions, place your bet on who you are predicting will be leading after the first round of The Open.

• Live Betting - Get involved with the various in-play betting markets at The Open, including winner odds and head-to-head markets. Look out for leaderboard shifts and momentum swings for the chance to get some valuable golf odds. 

Our guide to each way betting at The Open explains a popular way to back your picks across these markets.

Previous Winners

Shane Lowry, back in 2019, remains the most recent European winner of The Open Championship, with players from the USA and New Zealand taking the honours since. Here is a look at the results of the last 10 editions of the oldest golfing major.