The final major championship of the year promises to be a special one, as it returns to the Dunluce Links course at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since 2019 and just the third time ever.
This week’s Open feels as wide open as ever, with a number of the biggest names in the sport coming in on form but also a host of players much further down the board looking to make their mark. If there were ever a major tailor made for a longshot winner, it would be the Open.
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of a tour coach reporting anonymously from the grounds of Royal Portrush, Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line. Stewart, our newest member of the panel, is our new betting content partner as well.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2025 British Open:
British Open picks 2025: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Anonymous Swing Coach of the Week: Scottie Scheffler (+500, BetMGM) — It’s tough to imagine Scheffler only winning over the past two years, given how dominant he has been. The price is a little better than what we’ve gotten used to seeing on Scheffler outrights, and I think it’s time to take advantage.
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Sepp Straka (50-1, FanDuel) — Besides Scheffler, no player is averaging more SG/approach per round this season than Straka. Likely why he’s already won twice. He’s posted a T-2 at an Open previously and has cleaned up at PGA National over the past four years (1st/T-5/MC/T-11). It’s somewhat worrisome his around-the-green play has been quite poor with the demand in which may be placed on it at Portrush, but he’ll need to simply hit GIRs at an elite level to mitigate that damage. Which, as we’ve seen in 2025, he’s more than capable of doing.
Brandon Gdula, FanDuel/numberFire managing editor: Xander Schauffele (25-1, FanDuel) — Schauffele is golfing a lot better than the results may indicate, and he’s been a strong major player this year even while working his way back from injury. Based on his putting splits, he’s due for positive regression, and while the three favorites (Scheffler, McIlroy, and Rahm) are in good form, the 25-1 number – to me – doesn’t account for Xander at peak form. And he’s close to that right now.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Jon Rahm (12-1, FanDuel) — Jon Rahm finished 11th the last time we played Royal Portrush (2019) and is a much more complete player now. In 2025, he has a 14th/eighth/seventh record in the majors. The driver will be a huge factor, and Rahm’s gained positively off the tee in EVERY start this season. Although that will set him up perfectly, it is Rahm’s ground game that will give him a final edge. Similar to Oakmont, this is how Jon will separate himself from the full swing players and step into the Champion Golfer of the Year’s locker room.
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Viktor Hovland (30-1, FanDuel) — The approach play has been all world the past three events—gaining a combined 22 strokes to the field at all big-time events. His short game is the question mark, but he was second in SG/around the green at Oakmont and ninth in scrambling last week in Scotland. His résumé at the majors continues to improve, which is tough for me to ignore. It’s time to bust open the door on Hovland’s potential.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Viktor Hovland (30-1, FanDuel) — One of the biggest indicators of future major success is very recent success in them. Hovland has that going for him in a big way. Since the 2022 Open at St. Andrews, the Norwegian has five finishes of T-7 or better in 12 major starts, plus an additional three inside the top 25. He simply shows up when the lights are brightest. And this week, he comes in with serious form, having made eight straight cuts with a win and five top 25s along the way. The breakthrough is coming.
Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Jon Rahm (12-1, FanDuel) — I have had Jon Rahm penciled in for Royal Portrush for months, and his recent form has only bolstered my confidence. The two-time major winner is coming off a runner-up finish at LIV Andalucia where he fired a final-round 64, and his major form has returned in 2025 as well. Rahm has finished top 15 in all three majors this year, and he had a real opportunity on Sunday afternoon to win the PGA Championship. I expect him to get over the finish line.
Past results: We have a BIG winner! Our Anonymous Tour Coach hit on Aldrich Potgieter at 125-1 (!!) to win the Rocket Classic. That’s his fourth winner this season and by far his biggest odds. As a group, we now have 10 individual victories in 2025.
Listen to Golf Digest’s weekly betting podcast, “The Loop,” (below) where we interview the industry’s leading experts (and sometimes tour pros) to help you make your bets and pick your fantasy lineups. And be sure to subscribe to “The Loop” wherever you get your podcasts!
British Open picks 2025: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Tour coach: Russell Henley (65-1, FanDuel) — People don’t think of Russell Henley of being a major contender, but he’s tasted what it’s like to be near the top of the leader board in a major on a number of occasions. I love the way he’s played all year long. He also has got a lot of different shots and he knows how to score.
Mayo: Ryan Fox (100-1, FanDuel) — Two wins over the past few months, a victory at the Irish in his career, and a ton of success on links venues, Fox’s number is going to shrink as the week goes on and more people bet him. His best result at an Open was here in 2019 (T-16) and he’s 20th in the field over the past two years in SG/putting on slow greens.
Gdula: Sepp Straka (50-1, FanDuel) — Straka’s accuracy and irons are reminiscent of the top duo at Royal Portrush in 2019 (Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood). Straka is also a great putter. In an Open that feels friendly to ball-strikers, Straka has what it takes to go get a big one.
Stewart: Matt Fitzpatrick (50-1, FanDuel) — We weren’t far off in Scotland as Matt Fitzpatrick finished fourth at the Scottish Open. As we predicted, the putting came alive in the British Isles, and Fitz contended. Matt’s best finish in The Open is at Royal Portrush in 2019, where he finished in the top 20. A ball-striker’s dream, Matt’s current form is a perfect fit and he’s a proven major championship winner within his odds range. For another positive note, Fitzpatrick’s short game is a secret weapon. The Dunluce Course will have some bounce, and with those small greens, players will need excellent around-the-green skills to capture the claret jug.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Russell Henley (65-1, FanDuel) — Henley can replicate Shane Lowry’s path to winning here—be deadly accurate off the tee (Henley’s top 10 in Good Drives Gained), precise with approaches (top 20 and always a strong suit) and scramble when you miss these small greens (he’s also top 10 in scrambling). Sneakily, Henley was fifth last year at The Open at Troon, so he should be confident returning over here.
Powers, Golf Digest: Sepp Straka (50-1, FanDuel) — Was on Straka last week and he gave it a helluva run. Can’t hop off the train now. As Pat and Brandon have already pointed out, not many players have hit their irons better than Straka this year, a huge key to success last time the Open was at Portrush. With three missed cuts in all three majors already this year, he’s also just plain due for a good week.
Lack: Patrick Cantlay (66-1, BetRivers) — I find this to be a perfect buy low on a class player who is performing far better than his results would suggest. Cantlay has gained strokes off the tee in 11 out of his last 13 starts, and his approach play has been even better. Cantlay is coming off a +5 approach performance at the Rocket Mortgage. If we could only just find a way for his putter to cooperate, Cantlay has a real opportunity to contend.
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British Open picks 2025: Players We’re Fading
Tour coach: Xander Schauffele (18-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — I’ll keep fading Xander until he proves he’s ready to win again. It’s tough to defend any event … but The Open with some question marks in your game? We’ll see you next year, X.
Mayo: Ludvig Aberg (25-1, BetMGM) — Can’t chip and has developed a bad case of missing putts inside five feet. Not a great blueprint for winning a major championship.
Gdula: Bryson DeChambeau (20-1, FanDuel) — DeChambeau’s Open history isn’t very great, including putting on uncommon surfaces, but ultimately his iron play is what makes him hard to get to this week at a course with small greens and a need for precision.
Stewart: Bryson DeChambeau (18-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — The Open Championship is the most unpredictable golf tournament of the year. Bryson DeChambeau prides himself on perfect preparation. The two have met seven times, with The Open winning on six of those starts. Outside of a top eight at St. Andrews in 2022, DeChambeau has yet to crack the top 30 in another start and has missed the cut three times. Slow greens, penal rough, and wild weather all provide “feel” moments that Bryson has yet to master. DeChambeau’s day will come, he’s too talented not to contend overseas, but for this week I’m going to wait a little longer before I tail him.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Bryson DeChambeau (18-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — I will be rooting for Bryson because he’s always one of the most intriguing stories every week, but I have doubts about him being able to rein in his power for 72 holes. He’ll find himself in enough trouble to cost him.
Powers, Golf Digest: Xander Schauffele (18-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — Love me some Xander and he’s clearly coming along nicely, but he hasn’t seriously contended at all this year and I feel like you need to have done that somewhat recently in order to win a major.
Lack: Bryson DeChambeau (18-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — While I do believe that Royal Portrush is less of a traditional links than some of the courses on the Open rota, I still have significant concerns about multiple aspects of DeChambeau’s game. His accuracy off the tee and putting have both been trending in the wrong direction since the PGA Championship, and his UK/Ireland resume certainly leaves a lot to be desired.
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British Open picks 2025: Matchups
Tour coach: Jordan Spieth (-125) over Chris Gotterup (Bet365) — Gotterup coming off the emotional win is an easy one to fade. I know we haven’t seen Spieth since a WD at the Travelers, but he played well at Oakmont and his creativity and shot-making should be firing on this links gem.
Mayo: Jordan Spieth (-115) over Chris Gotterup (Coolbet) — Look, it was a nice win for Gotterup in Scotland, and Spieth is coming off injury, but Portrush isn’t a bomb, gouge, and run hot with a putter course. It requires touch, feel, and creativity. This isn’t peak Spieth but he still possesses all those qualities.
Gdula: Viktor Hovland (-125) over Justin Thomas (FanDuel) — I think this week sets up great for Hovland as a good venue for ball-strikers. Thomas’ iffy Open history doesn’t help, and while Hovland missed the cut last year, he has been T-13 or better in his three other Open starts.
Stewart: Jordan Spieth (-125) over Chris Gotterup (Bet365) — Jordan Spieth has yet to miss a cut in the Open Championship (11 starts). Spieth won in 2017 at Royal Birkdale and has not finished outside the top 25 since. This is Chris Gotterup’s first Open Championship. Certainly, in great form after winning the Scottish Open, I’ll take experience over a rookie run. Gotterup’s best skill is the driver, and although that will help him, I worry about the demands of winning on Sunday and figuring out the Dunluce on very short notice.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Justin Rose (-111) over Brooks Koepka (Bet365) — Give me Rose coming off a top 10 last week and the close call at The Open over Koepka, who hasn’t shown us much in 2025.
Powers, Golf Digest: Adam Scott (-115) over Keegan Bradley (FanDuel) — Two older guys playing some solid golf of late. But you have to ride with Scott here. Check the Open records for these two. Bradley has missed five straight cuts while Scott has made 12 of his last 13 with five top 10s, including one last year.
Lack: Viktor Hovland (-125) over Justin Thomas (FanDuel) — I still have plenty of concerns about Justin Thomas on links golf courses, and Royal Portrush is incredibly penal to the big miss, something that Thomas continues to battle. Viktor Hovland has been both a more reliable driver than Thomas of late, but his approach play has been better as well. I’ll gladly go to battle with Hovland as a short favorite over Thomas in this head-to-head.
Matchup Results from the Scottish Open: Tour coach: 1 for 1 (English (-111) over Greyserman); Mayo: 1 for 1 (McIlroy (+175) over Scheffler); Stewart: 1 for 1 (Scott (+100) over Thomas); Gdula: 1 for 1 (Greyserman (-110) over Noren); Lack: 0 for 1; Powers: 0 for 1; Hennessey: 0 for 1
Matchup Results from this season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Tour coach: 14-9-2 (up 3.21 units); Lack: 14-12-1 (up 1.06 units); Powers: 14-13-1 (up 0.72 units); Hennessey: 13-14-1 (down 2.24 units); Mayo: 11-14-2 (down 2.38 units); Stewart: 12-15-1 (down 3.5 units); Gdula: 10-16-2 (down 7.26 units)
British Open picks 2025: Top 10s
Tour coach: Sepp Straka (+425, FanDuel) — Sepp cashed for me last week, and I love him at Royal Portrush, too.
Mayo: Russell Henley (+500, FanDuel) — Henley enters The Open with three consecutive top 10s, all in majors or signature events, and picked up a win at a longer, wind-infused course earlier this season at Bay Hill and he’s basically Mr. PGA National with three top 10s there the past four years and a victory back in 2014. His Open history hasn’t been good, but a spike to T-5 a year ago shows now, later in career, he’s capable for storming the leaderboard overseas.
Gdula: Russell Henley (+500, FanDuel) — Henley’s been a good major player of late, and that led to a breakout Open Championship last year when he finished fifth. He has the accuracy off the tee and irons to get himself into proper position this week, and his short game also top-notch.
Stewart: Xander Schauffele (+260, FanDuel) — Xander Schauffele cashed last week for a top 10 in North Berwick. Let’s go again with one of the most consistent top 10 performers in majors over the past five years. Since 2020, Xander has had 11 top 10s in 21 starts. In his major career, Scheuffele has 17 top 10s in 33 major championships. An incredible links player, Schauffele led the field in Scotland on approach.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Russell Henley (+500, FanDuel) — I’ll back up my longshot bet with this top 10.
Powers, Golf Digest: Lee Westwood (+2600, FanDuel) — I mean, I’m not going to not stop taking shots at clearing the slate at this point. Hilarious that I’ll still be down units if this hits, but minus two will look a lot better than minus 29. I actually think this is insane value for an old geezer who has an incredible record in this event, the ultimate old geezer event. He medaled to get in in the qualifying event, something his fellow countryman Justin Rose did a year ago and then nearly won at Troon. I’ve spent pizza money on far worse.
Lack: Adam Scott (+600, FanDuel) — I rarely cite bad luck, but Adam Scott truly caught a bad break with the precarious weather situation on Sunday afternoon at Oakmont, and really believe he is only a few minor details away from adding a second major to his resume. The Australian has gained over a stroke off the tee in six straight starts and over 2.5 strokes on approach in three straight starts. His rock-solid Open Championship record only bolsters the case.
Top-10 results from the Scottish Open: Tour coach: 1 for 1 (Sepp Straka +550); Stewart: 1 for 1 (Xander Schauffele +270); Everybody else: 0 for 1
Top-10 results from this season: Tour coach: 7 for 25 (up 16.3 units); Gdula: 9 for 28 (up 12.3 units); Lack: 8 for 28 (up 10.3 units); Stewart: 8 for 28 (up 1.8 units); Mayo: 3 for 28 (down 3.33 units); Hennessey: 4 for 27 (down 5 units); Powers: 0 for 28 (down 28 units)
About our experts
Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME.
Brandon Gdula, managing editor and analyst for numberFire, a FanDuel daily-fantasy analysis company, recently won the 2018 FSWA Golf Writer of the Year. Gdula also co-hosts the DFS Heat Check podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @gdula13.
Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor for Golf Digest and founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the LPGA and PGA TOUR. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter here and raise your golf betting acumen. Keith’s winning content can also be found on Sports Grid, Bleacher Report and The Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.
Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
