A year later than scheduled, Shane Lowry will be heading off to Sandwich, Kent, in the hope of retaining the Claret Jug he won in 2019. The 149th Open takes place from the 15th-18th July at Royal St George’s. The course last held the event in 2011 – when Darren Clarke was a surprise winner. It’s not the easiest course on The Open rotation, but it’s no Carnoustie either. It’s what players like to call a “fair” course.
As for the contenders this year, it’s, well – it looks very open. It’s always worth taking the odds with a pinch of salt when betting on golf, particularly the majors. This year, we have already seen a shock winner with Phil Mickelson taking the PGA Championship – “Lefty” was 150/1 with some sportsbooks before rolling back the years at Kiawah Island. The last two winners of The Open at Royal St George’s, Darren Clarke (2011) and Ben Curtis (2003), were also huge betting outsiders.
Continue reading “The 149th Open: Discussing the Odds of the Top Contenders”