Ricky Dimon
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It’s the best time of year on the links, with four majors all in the span of four months. The Masters kicked things off in April, the PGA Championship has assumed its relatively new May spot on the calendar, the U.S. Open took center stage in June and now the British Open wraps up the proceedings in July. Who will join Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Matt Fitzpatrick as a major champion in 2022? What else could be in store for the fourth major of the year?
With the British Open beginning on Thursday, it’s time to take a look at some of the best prop bets for this year’s festivities at the home of golf: the Old Course at St. Andrew’s in Scotland.
Top Spaniard: Jon Rahm (-175)
Rahm is only tied for the fourth favorite overall at +1600, which gives him pretty good value. A -175 price on finishing as the top Spaniard does the same. In his last two British Open appearances, he has placed T11 and T3. Although Rahm hasn’t been completely on fire, a major that he has done well at in the past should help him find his form. And it’s not like the 27-year-old is slumping; he has made 13 cuts in a row. Sergio Garcia doesn’t inspire any confidence right now and the rest of the Spanish contingent is mediocre at best, so roll with Rahm.
Joaquin Niemann to finish in the top 40 (-125)
You might not think a Chilean would thrive in links golf situations, but Niemann knows what he is doing around these courses. He made the cut in his second British Open appearance last summer and he is coming off a T16 effort at last week’s Scottish Open. Asking for a top-40 finish this weekend certainly isn’t too much. Since the calendar turned to 2022, the 23-year-old has been inside the top 40 in nine of 12 completed events – and he just barely missed it at the U.S. Open (T47). Niemann has been one of the most consistent golfers on tour this season and he should display that again at the Old Course.
Matt Fitzpatrick to finish in the top 20 (+100)
Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Open last month and we are not getting off the bandwagon. The Englishman was one of Diane Knox Balas’ outright plays at the Scottish Open this past week and although he did not quite grab another victory he maintained his fine form with a T6 showing. That means Fitzpatrick has now delivered three top-10 performances in a row. His last two British Open starts resulted in T26 and T20 finishes. Given that he is a much more confident and all-around much better golfer now, a top-20 effort looks like it is safe. Getting it at plus money is a steal.
Will Zalatoris to finish in the top 10 (+300)
Zalatoris is quite simply a top-10 machine in majors. Following his runner-up performance at the U.S. Open (lost to Fitzpatrick by one stroke), the 25-year-old American is arguably the best current player to have never won a major. It could happen this week, and at the very least a top-10 bet at +300 is mouthwatering. Zalatoris has place in the top 10 in an unbelievable six of his last seven major starts. Although that doesn’t include any British Opens (he has never played this event), there is no reason why he can’t once again thrive on the big stage.
Sam Burns to beat Max Homa and Louis Oosthuizen (+200)
Burns is the underdog in this group and therefore has solid value at +200. His two most recent major finishes are T20 (PGA Championship) and T27 (U.S. Open). The 25-year-old American didn’t exactly tear it up at the Scottish Open but at least made the cut, which should be good preparation for the British. Oosthuizen has been a disaster of late; his four most recent results are T62, WD, T60 and MC. Homa has missed the cut in seven of his 11 career major starts and has finished better than T40 in only one of those 11.
Want more picks and predictions for the 2021 British Open? Check out all our expert previews below:
- Diane Knox Balas’ best bets, including a 120/1 longshot!
- British Open player-by-player breakdown
- Golf betting guide: Available markets for the British Open
- Diane Knox Balas’ best prop bets
The Pickswise golf handicappers are on hand with expert Golf Picks and Golf Predictions as well as tournament previews and analysis throughout the PGA Tour, including all of the majors. We will also have our 2022 British Open 3-ball picks and our best golf prop bets for each round of the 2022 British Open.
