2024 British Open Odds & Picks: Rory McIlroy

The final major of the 2024 golf season begins Thursday in South Ayrshire, Scotland, home of Royal Troon, a true jewel of the British Open course rotation.

Troon is one of the greatest links courses in the world. Golf’s top players will have to navigate dunes, pot bunkers, and, of course, the elements. Most days on the west coast of Scotland include rainy spells, and sometimes, the wind gusts in from the Firth of Clyde, driving up scores. The back nine at Troon can be especially punishing, with some of the course’s longest holes playing into a prevailing wind.

The British Open is often referred to as “The Open Championship,” and the winner earns the title Champion Golfer of the Year. That honor currently belongs to Brian Harman, who won at Royal Liverpool this year. The favorite this year, however, is Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, who has enjoyed a splendid season. Other top contenders include Rory McIlroy, who’s gone 10 years without a victory in a major, Xander Schauffele, who won the PGA Championship in May, and Bryson DeChambeau, who won the U.S. Open last month.

Who’ll win the Claret Jug this year, and how should you bet the British Open? Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders and assess their chances.

Let’s take a closer look at our top 2024 British Open odds and picks for Rory McIlroy.

2024 British Open Odds & Picks: Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy Stats to Know

  • Best Odds to Win: +800 (Caesars; BetMGM)
  • World Ranking: 2
  • Best British Open finish: 1 (2014)
  • Last four British Open finishes: 6, 3, 46, CUT
  • Last four tournament finishes: 4, 2, 15, 4

Rory McIlroy British Open Course History

The Northern Irishman has had a ton of success at the Open Championship, albeit with only one Claret Jug in 2014. He tied for fifth in 2016 at Royal Troon, one of six such high finishes in Rory McIlroy’s career at The Open.

Rory McIlroy Recent Form

Rory’s cataclysmic U.S. Open loss to Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst overshadowed just how incredibly dialed-in his game is lately. Dating back to his Wells Fargo Championship win at Quail Hollow, McIlroy has four top-five finishes in his last six starts. He has not finished worse than 15th over that stretch.

Rory McIlroy 2024 British Open Betting Outlook

Rory is my favorite to hoist the Claret Jug this week at Royal Troon. He is shredding golf courses this season and is utterly dominant when his prowess off the tee can be weaponized. He’s simply a much better fit at his betting odds than Scottie Scheffler.

More 2024 British Open Golfer Profiles & Picks

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