Scottie Scheffler has emerged as the outright favorite in major golf tournaments this year, with the latest being the 152nd Open Championship. His +500 price tag has placed him in a league of his own, as he continues to dominate the betting odds. This is a rare feat, with Scheffler being the first player since Tiger Woods in 2013 to be favored outright in every major tournament of a calendar year. Woods achieved this remarkable feat 12 times in his illustrious career. With his favorite status at Royal Troon, Scheffler is on track to be the pre-tournament favorite or co-favorite at eight consecutive majors, putting him in the same category as Woods in terms of consistency in the last 15 years.
The betting public has shown a strong inclination towards Scheffler, with a significant portion of the bets and handle at various sportsbooks. ESPN BET, BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel have all reported Scheffler as their tickets and money leader. However, despite the backing from the betting public, Scheffler’s short price tag means that he would need even more handle to truly make bookmakers nervous. DraftKings even adjusted Scheffler’s odds slightly from +450 to +500 based on the betting trends.
While Scheffler has been dominant in the PGA Tour regular season, winning multiple tournaments and a major, he has yet to secure a victory at a major championship outside of Augusta National. The Open Championship presents unique challenges, especially for American golfers. Historically, Americans have a lower winning percentage at The Open compared to other majors, making it a tough battleground for players like Scheffler. The pressure is on for American players to break the trend, especially after Brian Harman’s victory last year.
Despite his recent struggles, Rory McIlroy remains a strong contender at the Open Championship with +800 odds on ESPN BET. He trails only Scheffler in terms of tickets and handle at the sportsbook. Other popular European contenders include Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm, each with varying odds to win the tournament. Rising star Robert MacIntyre, who recently made history by winning the Scottish Open, is also a player to watch. However, he has not received significant attention from bettors compared to other players in the field.
Scottie Scheffler’s rise to prominence in major golf tournaments is a testament to his skill and consistency on the course. As he enters the 152nd Open Championship as the favorite, all eyes will be on him to see if he can continue his impressive run and secure his first major championship victory outside of the Masters. With stiff competition from players like Rory McIlroy and a talented field of contenders, Scheffler will need to bring his A-game to Royal Troon to emerge victorious.
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