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Horse Racing Open Championship 2022 Best Bet: July 14th - 17th
The eagerly anticipated 150th Open Championship has finally arrived at St Andrews this week, as golf’s elite compete for possession of the Claret Jug.
After breaking his major duck at the U.S Open last month, Matt Fitzpatrick will look to be the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1987 to win the Open, and he leads a strong home contingent including Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
However, back-to-back majors for Fitzpatrick will prove a tough task, with a host of golfers in red-hot form, none more so than Xander Schauffele, who arrives on the back of two victories at the Scottish Open and the Travelers Championship.
Open Championship 2022 Best Bets
- Xander Schauffele E/W at odds of 19.0 (WilliamHill)
- Seamus Power E/W at odds of 81.0 (WilliamHill)
The Course: St Andrews
Known as the “Home of Golf”, St Andrews is the oldest and most iconic course in the world, having hosted the Open 29 times, and most recently crowning Zach Johnson as its champion in 2015.
The 7,313-yard, Par 72 is very much a known quantity for both fans and punters, with wide fairways, shared green complexes and deep and treacherous bunkers a common sight in the history of the sport.
The course’s main defence is often left down to the weather, however early forecasts for the week suggest that a sunny, dry and on the whole sedate renewal will await the 156-man field.
When digging into the stats and trends from recent Major Championship winners, nobody since the 2017 US PGA Championship has gone on to win a major after missing a cut at their last Major, while the last nine major champions have all finished within the top 21 at their last major played.
- Open Championship
- St Andrews
- July 14th – 17th
Open Championship Best Bet: Xander Schauffele (E/W)
Xander Schauffele has been a transformed golfer in the past month, with two victories (three including his 36-hole win at the JP McManus Pro-Am) making him the man to beat at St Andrews this week.
So often a perennial figure at the top of leaderboards, but so often coming up short, Schauffele is no stranger to teeing it up at the back end of a Sunday afternoon, with six top 10 finishes at Major Championships during his career.
The 28-year-old ranked 1st from tee to green last week at the Scottish Open and 8th in this category throughout the season, whilst sitting second for Par 4 scoring average – which could be crucial considering The Old Course’s 14 Par 4’s.
Since winning the Zurich Classic alongside Patrick Cantlay, he has recorded a top five finish at the Byron Nelson, a 13th at the PGA and 14th at the US Open, whilst also carrying strong links form, with a T2 finish at the Open in 2018 and a pair of T30 finishes.
Looking at past Open winners, Spieth won in 2017 having won on his previous start, Mickelson completed the Scottish Open, Open double in 2013, while Francesco Molinari also won shortly before lifting the Claret Jug in 2018, showing that current form is instrumental for a would-be champion.
Scottie Scheffler has shown this season that you have to strike while the iron is hot, and I’m backing Schauffele to do just that this week.
- Selection: Xander Schauffele E/W (9 places)
- Best Odds: 19.0 (WilliamHill)
Odds correct as at 6pm July 12th, 2022. Odds may now differ.
Open Championship Best Bet: Seamus Power (E/W)
At longer-odds I’m happy to take a punt on Seamus Power to continue his fine Major Championship form.
After bursting onto the scene in 2021, the 35-year-old Irishman was somewhat an unknown quantity but has made the most of his tour card with five top 10 finishes this season as well as a quarter-final appearance at the WGC Match Play.
Following a top 30 finish at The Masters, Power cemented his position in the World’s top 50 rankings with a top 10 at the PGA Championship and a 12th place finish at the US Open, showing his ability to stick around on the big stage.
A 30th place finish at the Irish Open last time out was made to look a little worse than at first glance, with three fine rounds of 68 interjected by a Saturday 77 – and with plenty of links experience under his belt, Power’s price looks a little on the high side for the quality he possesses.
- Selection: Seamus Power E/W (9 places)
- Best Odds: 81.0 (WilliamHill)
Odds correct as at 6pm July 12th, 2022. Odds may now differ.
