Ian Wilkerson
Only two of the last 15 Open Championship winners were outside the top ten after the first round, so it stands to reason that players with high hopes of claiming the final Major of the year will not want to ease into the competition. That is good news for those looking to have a bet on who will finish the first day on the top of the leaderboard because each player should be fully focused on hitting the ground running.
Often the weather can have a huge bearing on this market. There is no split-start in the Open, so every player tees off at the first and they head out within a 10-hour window. With that in mind, all sorts of different weather conditions can be experienced in Northern Ireland within that timeframe. Early indications are that the earlier starters may gain a small advantage and it could be best to concentrate on those who are not left hanging around to get into the action.
Getting off to a fast start is almost essential if you want to get your hands on the Claret Jug, so let’s get into our expert Open Championship first round leader bets ahead of the action on Thursday.
Find out our expert British Open predictions and best bets, including a 175-1 longshot!
British Open First Round Leader best bet: Sepp Straka (+5500)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Sepp Straka made a storming start to last week’s Scottish Open when he led into the second day after an opening 64 and there looks a strong chance that the Austrian can get straight into the groove at Royal Portrush. Straka fired a 65 in the first round when he won the American Express at the start of the year and a 63 when he posted a second 2025 triumph at the Truist Championship, so he has form for getting off to a flier and we could see a repeat this week.
Straka should benefit from the fact that by partnering Ben Griffin and Akshay Bhatia at 4.36am EST he will not be in a marquee group and he will be able to go quietly about his business. The fact Straka missed the cut at the Masters, PGA Championship and the US Open will provide extra motivation as he looks to show he is a Major winner in waiting and, after finishing second behind Brian Harman two years ago, this is a great chance for him to make an early move.
Get our best British Open prop bets, featuring Top Finish and Top Nationality picks
British Open First Round Leader prediction: Tom McKibbin (+8000)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Most players teeing off this week will only have the 2019 tournament to fall back on in terms of Portrush experience, but that does not apply to local boy Tom McKibbin. He is a member at the course and knows it intimately, but it is not just geography that boosts his chances of finishing first-round leader. Viewers will have to stage an all-night stakeout to see how he is getting on as he will be in the first group that tees off at 1.35am EST alongside US Senior Open champion Padraig Harrington and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard. Course knowledge is a big boost and the fact that he could be safely in the clubhouse before the worst of the rain arrives.
Many were surprised to see the Northern Irishman sign up to the LIV Tour after earning a PGA Tour card, but he heads into this week’s action having finished 5th in Dallas and 4th at Valderrama in his last two events, so he could get off to a brilliant start.
See out our 2025 British Open first round 3-ball best bets
