And then there was one. Men’s major, that is. Major season goes quick so let’s savor this last one of 2026 as the Open Championship heads to Royal Birkdale for the first time since 2017. And if it’s anything like that week, we’re in for a treat.
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Of course, I’m referring to that memorable Sunday battle between Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar, which included that insane bogey from Spieth when he visited Birkdale’s range during a 13th hole that took about 30 minutes to complete. The odds of something that crazy happening again are pretty long so we’re focused on the odds (via DraftKings) of those contending this year. To that end, here’s our ranking of the best bets to lift the claret jug in 2026.
1. Scottie Scheffler (4.5/1) 
Ben Jared
Reason to pick: He’s the defending champ and it’s possible there’s never been someone more due to win a tournament in golf history.
Cause for concern: But, yeah, it’s now been 13 straight starts without a win. And you’re still not getting great odds on the World No. 1.
2. Cameron Young (25/1) 
Andrew Redington
Reason to pick: My favorite heading into the U.S. Open has seen his odds rise all the way up to 25 to 1.
Cause for concern: Of course, there’s a reason for that line moving. And not finishing better than T-43 his past three starts is not great.
3. Xander Schauffele (16/1) 
David Cannon
Reason to pick: The lock of all locks came through by finishing in the top 15 at the U.S. Open for a 10th consecutive year.
Cause for concern: But after winning this event in 2024, he’s suddenly gone seven consecutive majors without being in serious contention on Sunday.
4. Matt Fitzpatrick (20/1) 
Stacy Revere
Reason to pick: A three-time PGA Tour winner this season, Fitzpatrick will play in his home country at Royal Birkdale.
Cause for concern: The Brit is 94th in strokes gained/putting. Maybe younger brother Alex can give him some tips.
5. Collin Morikawa (28/1) 
Christian Petersen
Reason to pick: The 2021 Champion Golfer of the Year looks close to hoisting another trophy after a third-place finish at the Travelers that included a Sunday 61.
Cause for concern: The back continues to be a bit of a nuisance for Morikawa—although it doesn’t seem to be hurting his results.
6. Chris Gotterup (40/1) 
Andy Lyons
Reason to pick: This guy has turned into one of the best closers in golf, and he’s already proved he can win across the pond with his Scottish Open victory last year.
Cause for concern: Gotterup only ranks 129th on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy and Royal Birkdale’s thick rough can be very penal.
7. Viktor Hovland (30/1) 
Jordan Bank
Reason to pick: After knocking off World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the Travelers, this streaky star could be starting another heater. And this has always been the major that exposes his sometimes shaky short game the least.
Cause for concern: Normally a strong driver of the golf ball, Hovland ranks a surprisingly low 88th in strokes gained/off-the-tee in 2026.
8. Jon Rahm (16/1) 
WIKUS DE WET
Reason to pick: The two-time major champ looked like his old self with that close call at the PGA Championship.
Cause for concern: He also didn’t look like his old self with that missed cut at the U.S. Open.
9. Rory McIlroy (7.5/1) 
Karwai Tang
Reason to pick: He’s already won an England-based Open. Plus, he’s Rory F-ing McIlroy.
Cause for concern: It’s tough to get a read on Rory’s game with him playing so infrequently since successfully defending his Masters title.
10. Wyndham Clark (40/1) 
Tracy Wilcox
Reason to pick: He’s the hottest player on the planet with wins at the U.S. Open and Byron Nelson in his past four starts. Plus, his T-4 at the Open Championship last year is the only top 20 of his career in majors outside of his two U.S. Open victories.
Cause for concern: Has he been opening too much grape (as he likes to say) since that win at Shinnecock?
11. Justin Rose (28/1) 
David Cannon
Reason to pick: The Brit would like nothing more than to win a second major at the site of his amazing major debut as a 17-year-old in 1998.
Cause for concern: While I love that storyline unfolding nearly three decades later I don’t love Rose’s number.
12. Tommy Fleetwood (16/1) 
Christian Petersen
Reason to pick: It would be crazy to leave this consistent Englishman off any major championship ranking.
Cause for concern: However, it’s also crazy he still hasn’t won any majors—let alone a full-field PGA Tour event.
13. Brooks Koepka (50/1) 
Minas Panagiotakis
Reason to pick: When you can get a five-time major champ who is still in his prime at 50-to-1 odds, it’s tough to pass up.
Cause for concern: None of those five majors were an Open Championship.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
