Today kicks off one of our favorite golf fan weeks of the year. This Thursday through Sunday, 156 of the world’s finest golfers will be teeing off at Royal Portrush in the 153rd Open Championship. Wednesday night, I’ll be lying in bed in So Cal at 10:40 p.m., watching on TV as Paddy Harrington hits the first shot of the tournament in Northern Ireland at 6:40 a.m. local time. Sure, it’ll be late for me, but I wouldn’t miss watching Paddy and his foes play the first few holes at Portrush for anything. And when I wake up eight hours later, I’ll grab my phone and open the Open Championship app to see how the first group of players has performed while I was fast asleep, dreaming of playing links golf at one of the finest courses in the world under major championship pressure, with tens of thousands of fans wondering who the heck I was and why they let a fool like me tear up tees, pot bunkers, and enough fescue to feed a cow farm.
This week, I’ll be asked a few dozen times who I feel will lift the claret jug on Sunday. Well, here goes. My top picks to join the ranks as the Open Champion of the Year (and odds found online).
1. Scottie Scheffler – ~+450 (9/2)
World No. 1 and three-time winner this season, Scheffler is the heavy favorite to secure his first Open title. His superb form and consistency on difficult courses make him a natural frontrunner. Finished T-8 in the Scottish Open last week.
2. Rory McIlroy – ~+600 to +650 (6/1 to 13/2)
Northern Ireland’s hometown hero, McIlroy recently completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters. A strong performance at the Scottish Open has cut his odds to around 6/1. Local support and his links pedigree add to his appeal.
3. Jon Rahm – ~+1100 to +1200 (11/1 to 12/1)
Rahm is a proven links specialist, with multiple wins in Ireland. His game right now isn’t the sharpest, but Rahm, when playing his best, can beat anyone in the world except Scheff when playing his B+ and above game. Yes, Scheff is that good.
4. Bryson DeChambeau – ~+1600 to +2000 (16/1 to 20/1)
With solid major finishes this season—including a T2 at the PGA and top-five at the Masters—DeChambeau commands respect. His length and power suit favorable setups.
5. Xander Schauffele (defending champion) – ~+1800 to +2500 (18/1 to 25/1)
Schauffele won the 2024 Open and has posted consistently high finishes in majors over recent years. As defending champion, he’s among the stronger betting options. His form is far from as sharp as it was this time last year, but the memory of last year’s victory will still be top of mind.
6. Robert MacIntyre – ~+2000 to +3500 (20/1 to 35/1)
The rising Scottish star (who we think also starred in The Hobbit) last year won the Scottish Open and nearly claimed the U.S. Open this year. A potential crowd favorite as Scotland’s first Open champion since 1999.
7. Tommy Fleetwood – ~+2000 to +2800 (20/1 to 28/1)
Fleetwood is one of England’s best links players, with multiple strong Open finishes and recent form earning him long-odds support. Finished solo 2nd in 2019 at Royal Portrush behind cherubic hometown hero Shan Lowry. The big question for Tommy is whether he can close the deal. Until he does on the PGA TOUR or in a major, the pundits will debate his merits. We won’t. We love his game and know his luck will change at some point, and when it does, look out.
8. Ludvig Åberg – ~+2500-+3000 (25/1 to 30/1)
The big, handsome Swede will be a favorite to win every tourney he tees it up in for the next 15 years. He may well relish the links challenge despite his limited Open experience.
9. Tyrrell Hatton– ~+2500-+3000 (25/1 to 30/1)
Our favorite LIV player with a temper hotter than Redding in the middle of summer. Finished T-4 at Oakmont last month, and very well could have won the U.S. Open if luck had swayed his way and J.J. had missed a putt or two down the stretch.
10. Justin Rose– ~+5000-+7500 (50/1 to 75/1)
Runner‑up at both the 2024 Open and 2025 Masters—experienced and consistent, and our favorite player over 40 to win the tourney.
Honorable Mention: Shane Lowry (won at Royal Portrush in ’19), Sepp Straka, Justin Thomas, Russel Henley, Patrick “Yep, I’m a dic*” Reed, Viktor Hovland, Joaquin Niemann, Jordan Spieth (what a story this would be!)