The Open Championship Betting Tips: Expert Picks for last major of season at Royal Birkdale

The final men's major of the season has arrived, with Royal Birkdale once again providing the stage for The Open Championship.

GolfMagic Editor and expert tipster Andy Roberts has already enjoyed an excellent season, successfully tipping outright winners at 35/1, 22/1 and 12/1. 

While the last few tournaments haven't quite gone his way, he's hoping to finish major season with one more big winner.

For this week's Open, Andy has selected two outright selections and one each-way value bet.

Let's dive in to his three best bets. As always, please gamble responsibly. 

The Open Championship 2026: Betting Tips

Rory McIlroy

Best Odds: 17/2

McIlroy's Open Championship record speaks for itself. 

Since lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014, he has established himself as one of the most reliable links performers in the game, recording seven top-10 finishes in his last 10 Open starts.

His Open finishes read: 42-47-3-25-60-MC-1-5-4-2-MC-46-3-6-MC-7, highlighting just how often he puts himself in contention when golf returns to the British coastline.

Royal Birkdale also brings back memories of 2017, when a disappointing opening round left him outside the top 50 before a brilliant fightback saw him finish tied fourth. 

His iron play wasn't at its usual level that week, ranking among his weakest greens in regulation performances in an Open where he made the cut, but his recovery demonstrated just how well his game suits the venue.

McIlroy arrives in excellent shape after a trip to Wimbledon and family break in Cornwall, where he enjoyed a links warm-up at St Enodoc alongside Shane Lowry and Luke Donald. 

He then produced opening and closing rounds of 65 and 64 respectively to finish tied seventh at the Genesis Scottish Open, albeit he gave an incredible five-word verdict that stunned commentators. 

McIlroy also made a scouting visit to Royal Birkdale ahead of championship week, and with his links pedigree firmly established, everything points towards another strong challenge.

Scottie Scheffler deserves favouritism, but after missing the cut in Scotland last week, McIlroy represents the more attractive betting proposition at 17/2.

Matt Fitzpatrick

Best Odds: 16/1

Few players arrive at Royal Birkdale in better form than Matt Fitzpatrick.

The Englishman has already collected three PGA Tour victories this season and heads into The Open ranked No.3 in the world following another impressive display at the Scottish Open, where he finished tied third.

His Open Championship record took time to develop. 

Across his first nine appearances he failed to record a finish better than tied 20th, with results of 44-MC-44-MC-20-26-21-41-50.

That changed dramatically last year.

Fitzpatrick shared the first-round lead before remaining in contention throughout the week to finish tied fourth, suggesting he has finally unlocked the formula for success in links golf.

The former U.S. Open champion also owns a Dunhill Links Championship victory, proving he can thrive when conditions suit, and he arrives at Royal Birkdale with three top-five finishes in his last four starts.

Given his current form, proven ability to win majors and growing confidence on links courses, 16/1 looks a generous price.

Tom Kim

Best Odds: 60/1 (Each-Way)

For an each-way selection, Andy is siding with Tom Kim after the South Korean rediscovered his best golf in Scotland.

Kim produced a superb closing 64 to win the Genesis Scottish Open by two shots, reminding everyone why he has long been regarded as one of the game's brightest young talents.

Confidence has always been a huge factor for the 24-year-old, now a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, and there may not be a player in the field arriving with more momentum.

His Open Championship record is mixed at 47-T2-MC-MC, but that runner-up finish at Royal Liverpool in 2023 showed exactly how dangerous he can be on a demanding links layout.

Although Royal Birkdale presents a different challenge to The Renaissance Club, another week on firm, fast-running links turf should only help his preparation.

At 60/1, Kim stands out as an excellent each-way play with genuine upside if he carries his Scottish Open form into the year's final major.

Andy Roberts' Open Championship betting tips

• Rory McIlroy — 17/2
• Matt Fitzpatrick — 16/1
• Tom Kim (Each-Way) — 60/1

As always, please gamble responsibly.

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