The Open Championship Each-Way Tips: Five outsiders to win the Claret Jug

The 150th edition of The Open Championship begins this week, and here at BettingOdds.com we simply can’t wait for tee off on Thursday morning at the historic St Andrews, which plays host for the 30th time.

Players will have to juggle the ever-changing elements with expectation and pressure, keep their cool, combat the nerves, be as accurate as possible, and above all embrace the compellingly complex challenge that is links golf.

2014 champ Rory McIlroy is the ante-post favourite with bookmakers as he seeks his first major triumph in eight years. Other betting contenders include Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and US Open victor Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Yet, while many of this cluster of candidates will no doubt be bang in the mix for glory, this is a major that has produced some tasty big priced winners in the past. We’re talking 100/1 Shane Lowry in 2019, Zach Johnson (80/1, 2015), and don’t forget the stonking 150/1 which was available on Darren Clarke (2011). 

We’ve scanned the markets to bring you five each-way shouts for glory in the 150th Open…

Scroll to the bottom of the article for a full list of odds.

Robert MacIntyre: 125/1 - 1/5 8 places (bet365)

Right, let’s rocket out of the blocks in style with a big-priced Scot.

When it comes to golfers allocated out at three-figure prices, look no further than Robert MacIntyre at a tasty 125/1. The 25-year-old boasts an extremely impressive record at The Open. He finished up in T6 at Royal Portrush on his major championship debut in 2019 - he briefly led the way early on - then followed this up with T8 last time out at Royal St George's; level with the likes of Dustin Johnson and Scottie Scheffler.

Considering MacIntyre is 50/1 elsewhere - albeit paying 12 places - he represents a cracking price way out at 125/1 (8 places, bet365) given he has two top-10s in two Opens, while in nine major appearances he’s yet to miss a cut. He’s not exactly in peak form right now, however when he steps up to the tee on home soil in front of a packed home crowd at the home of golf…you get where we’re going. 

Adam Scott: 90/1 - 1/5 10 places (Betfred)

If you’re after a player who raises his game at majors and has twice come within a whisker of glory at The Open, then Adam Scott leaps out of the betting.

Scott has a hefty nine top-25 finishes at The Open, in the process claiming five top-10s, one of which was at St Andrews in 2015. Since 2009 only Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood have accumulated more top-5 Open standings than Scott (3) who over the course of the last 10 years has racked up 13 rounds in the 60s at Britain’s top tournament.

Scott’s collapse in 2012 still haunts me as I was on him at 40s. He was cruising four shots clear with four holes left, yet a combination of fluffing his lines and a late Ernie Els spurt meant it was the South African who got his mitts on the Claret Jug for a second time. Fortunately, Scott bounced back to win the Masters the following year. He was also bang in contention at St Andrews in 2015 but frustratingly faltered on the back 9, finishing 10th.

Scott always seems to save his best and most consistent displays for the big events, and recently put in a confidence-boosting performance at the US Open last month, finishing T14. The Aussie is actually a three-figure price with Bet Victor (100/1), however this only pays up to five places. Instead the 90/1 (10 places with Betfred) lures us in given his impressive tally of results. 5/1 for top Aussie is also worth a look.

Louis Oosthuizen: 40/1 - 1/5 11 places (Boylesports)

When it comes to past success, experience, and course record then 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen simply can’t be overlooked. 12 years ago the 200/1 priced South African stormed home by a seven-stroke margin to secure his maiden major - the second-biggest winning Open margin win since 1913 - then finished 2nd upon the major’s return to the iconic Old Course in 2015; after a three-man play-off.

Oosthuizen arrives in Scotland in decent form too, finishing in the top-10 in his last three LIV Tour events - take from that what you will - and has finished in the top-3 of his last six majors (all in 2021), including the Open (T3), US Open (2) and PGA Championship (T2). His past success, knowledge of the course and experience of being in high pressure situations certainly makes him a stand-out pick in the betting at 40/1 (1/5 11 places with Boylesports), while Paddy Power offer 12 places at a reduced price of 33/1. He can also be backed at 5/2 to finish as the top South African.

Tyrrell Hatton: 35/1 - 1/5 11 places (Boylesports)

When it comes to his record at St Andrews, Tyrrell Hatton is a multiple-winner and somewhat of a course specialist. He won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship back-to-back at the Home of Golf in 2016 and 2017 - he even equalled the then Old Course record with a stunning 62 - and has since recorded two runners-up standings in that tournament.

Admittedly, Hatton can be pretty hit-or-miss at the Open. In six showings since 2016 he’s twice missed the cut and finished 51st, yet he’s shown that when he’s hot he is a serious contender; finishing in the top-10 twice followed by a best-Open standing of T6 in 2019.

Can the 30-year-old now transfer that fine course form when under the major spotlight at St Andrews? He’s out at around 40/1 with a couple of firms, while if you’re after a bit more leeway he can be backed at 35/1 with Boylesports who pay up to 11 places.

Danny Willett: 150/1 - 1/5 8 places (bet265)

Let's round things off with an intriguing 150/1 outsider.

In truth, you never really know what you’re going to get with Danny Willett. Exceptional on his day, the 2016 Masters champ has a couple of T6 Open finishes on his CV, one of which came at St Andrews seven years ago. Willett also triumphed at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October; firing a 66 and 68 on the Old Course.

Willett has made six straight cuts at the Open while in his only major display this year he came 12th at Augusta. The 34-year-old clearly thrives on the Old Course and ventures up to Scotland under-the-radar, making the 150/1 on his head well worth considering with bet365 (8 places). If you want a bit more of a safety blanket the Englishman is 125/1 with Betfred (10 places).