British Open 2015: Latest Odds and Betting Tips for Golf's Top Contenders

The British Open is yet another opportunity for Jordan Spieth to demonstrate that he will have a career that belongs to the ages.

Will there be any doubt about his greatness if he reels off a third straight major in 2015? Tiger Woods was in a similar position in 2002 after winning the Masters and U.S. Open, but he was unsuccessful when he competed in The Open Championship at Muirfield.

Spieth is the betting favorite in the event at 9-2, according to Odds Shark, and his razor-sharp play is attracting a lot of attention from bettors all over the world. In addition to those majors, Spieth has won two other tournaments this year, including last week's John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

Weather could be a factor at St. Andrews this form, and that could work in Spieth's favor. Rain would soften up the course, and Spieth is the premier shot-maker in the game. He would be better-equipped to take advantage of the soft course than nearly anyone else in the field.

On the negative side, Spieth grew up in Texas and has played the vast majority of golf on American courses. He is not overly familiar with St. Andrews, in particular, or links courses in general. It's not an easy transition, and it could end up causing a few problems for him.

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Jordan Spieth credits visualization, competitiveness with bigger older brother & aiming for smaller targets as reasons for his success.

— Kelly Tilghman (@KellyTilghmanGC) July 15, 2015"

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Dustin Johnson, at 11-1, has not competed since his 72nd-hole meltdown at Chambers Bay in the U.S. Open. If Johnson had drilled his eagle putt on that hole, he would have won the U.S. Open outright. If he had made the short birdie putt that followed, he would have met Spieth in a playoff.

Johnson gets a chance to exorcise those demons at St. Andrews, and the biggest hitter on the tour will have a chance to use his power effectively. Sean Martin of PGATour.com says the venerable course "suits a bomber," so that should work in Johnson's favor.

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The Open favorite: Jordan Spieth. Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott among 4 players who have made cut each of last 4 Opens pic.twitter.com/1Me1J47Z1u

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 14, 2015"

Henrik Stenson deserves serious consideration at odds of 20-1. Stenson has never won a major championship, but he has three top-five finishes in his nine British Open starts. Stenson finished second in a German tournament three weeks ago, and he appears to be in strong form as the third major gets underway.

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.@Garymurphy62 : Henrik Stenson has a real chance of stopping the Spieth bandwagon in Scotland http://t.co/RzEbr8i0t4 pic.twitter.com/HEjYooFOzg

— Irish Daily Mirror (@IrishMirror) July 15, 2015"

Martin Kaymer may be a great value play at odds of 35-1. He has two majors to his credit in having won the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, and he has won at St. Andrews before when he picked up a victory in the 2010 Alfred Dunhill Links. Kaymer was fairly sharp in the recent Open de France, so he should be worthy of consideration.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Adam Scott should not be overlooked at odds of 20-1. The foundation of Scott's game is based on his picture-perfect swing, and that means he is always going to have a chance. The key to Scott's chances of legitimately bringing home the Claret Jug is his putting. While it can be erratic, when he is feeling confident and rolling the ball well, Scott is among the most dangerous players in the world. Scott currently ranks 192nd on the tour in strokes gained putting.

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Adam Scott has the best scoring average in @TheOpen since 2010. @ToddLewisGC on his Open prep: http://t.co/zz5TFZ7k0a pic.twitter.com/Zs1VWFrWc8

— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) July 15, 2015"

Victor Dubuisson of France should suit long-shot players with his odds at 66-1. Dubuisson fired a 62 at the Old Course in 2012 in the Dunhill Links, so he should feel confident about his chances of playing a spectacular round of golf there. However, can he do it for four consecutive rounds?

Rickie Fowler is one of the more popular plays this week at odds of 16-1, and he is coming off a victory in the Scottish Open. That victory, along with his earlier triumph in The Players Championship, should have his confidence soaring. Fowler had an embarrassing showing at the U.S. Open, as he did not make the cut at Chambers Bay.

Finally, don't sleep on Louis Oosthuizen at odds of 22-1. Oosthuizen won the 2010 British Open the last time it was played at St. Andrews, and he tied for second at the U.S. Open. Oosthuizen is usually quite competitive in the majors, and he is a serious factor here.

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All odds provided by Odds Shark.