Scheffler Leads Odds for the Open Championship

Messi vs Ronaldo, Ali vs Frazier, The Rock vs Stone Cold, Celtic vs Rangers. All fantastic sporting rivalries, and yes, we know pro wresting is sports entertainment, but you get our point. As a sports fan, there’s nothing better than a good rivalry to build anticipation and excitement. In golf, we currently have a sporting rivalry that has been gradually building over the last couple of years, that could go down in history as one of the greatest of all time.

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are both currently engaged in a professional rivalry for the ages. Both are seemingly top of their game, and whenever the two find themselves competing against one another, the bookies always seem to favour one or the other. For the Open Championship next month, that’s no exception.

Currently, Scottie Scheffler is favourite to win the tournament in Royal Birkdale in July, though McIlroy is right in the mix. For those considering who to back, here are a few contenders, and what the bookies think of their chances.

Scottie Scheffler

Currently, it is world number one, Scottie Scheffler, whom the bookies are tipping for victory at the oldest golfing tournament on the planet.

Now, in comparison to last year, Scottie has been, somewhat out of form, though recent performances have been more akin to the Scottie of old. As we approach the final major golfing tournament of the 2026 season (doesn’t feel right with half of the year remaining) Scottie will be looking to bag a major at Birkdale.

Despite his alleged shortcomings, Scottie has still looked reliable and composed. He may not have won a major yet, but he was painfully close at the previous three. He looks great with the driver and the putter, and if he can dial his iron work in just a smidge, there’s nothing stopping history from repeating itself from last year, and Scheffler adding another Open Championship to his resume.

The guys and gals over at Ladbrokes and Bet365 certainly think Scottie has what it takes. Ladbrokes are offering odds of 5/1, whereas Bet365 have him at 9/2.

Rory McIlroy

Of course, if Scheffler is favourite for a major, you already know who the second-fav is going to be. Yes, it is of course Rory McIlroy.

After winning The Masters for the second straight time, the Northern Irishman will be looking to add another major to his list of accomplishments, not just for 2026, but his career in general. It’s been a while since he last won the British Open, twelve years in fact, as he last won in 2014, so he’ll be looking to add another. After winning The Masters, it seems as if a fire has been lit under Rory, and he now seems to be enjoying his for the first time in quite a while. That could be crucial.

Feel like Rory could add a second Open Championship to his CV? Ladbrokes and Bet365 both have him at 7/1.

Tommy Fleetwood

A number of prominent bookies, including Ladbrokes and Bet365, currently believe Tommy Fleetwood has a very real chance of winning The Open Championship this year.

Tommy has not yet won a major, though he has come painfully close twice. In 2019, he finished as runner-up at the Open Championship, and this year he’ll be looking to go one better.

Tommy will have the crowd behind him as the hometown hero. Royal Birkdale, which is the venue for the tournament, is in Tommy’s hometown of Southport, Merseyside, and you can never count out that hometown advantage. The crowd could well be the difference makers here.

Think this will be enough to secure Tommy his first major? If so, both Ladbrokes and Bet365 are offering 16/1 odds.