British Open Field 2016: Predictions and Vegas Betting Odds for Notable Sleepers
Uncertainty among the favorites could lead to a surprising win from one of a number of sleepers at the 2016 British Open, which starts Thursday.
The Big Three of Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth have been the clear favorites at most events they have entered over the last two seasons. However, a strong performance by Dustin Johnson at the U.S. Open in June has made him the top option among bettors heading into the third major of the year.
Still, there are a handful of underrated competitors who have a chance to provide a big payoff for those who have faith in them to win it all. Here is a look at the odds to win The Open Championship along with a few golfers with long odds to target.
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| Dustin Johnson | 13-2 |
| Jason Day | 8-1 |
| Rory McIlroy | 10-1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 10-1 |
| Adam Scott | 20-1 |
| Branden Grace | 20-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 25-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 25-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 25-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 28-1 |
| Justin Rose | 33-1 |
| Shane Lowry | 40-1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 40-1 |
| Shane Lowry | 40-1 |
| Patrick Reed | 45-1 |
| Martin Kaymer | 50-1 |
| Danny Willett | 50-1 |
| Zach Johnson | 50-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 50-1 |
| Charl Schwartzel | 50-1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 66-1 |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | 66-1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 66-1 |
| Marc Leishman | 66-1 |
| Andy Sullivan | 66-1 |
| Graeme McDowell | 66-1 |
| Chris Wood | 66-1 |
| Paul Casey | 80-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 80-1 |
| Jim Furyk | 80-1 |
Complete field and tee times available at PGATour.com.
Predicted Sleepers
Matt Kuchar
It has already been a big week for Matt Kuchar, who will get a chance to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in place of Spieth, per Todd Lewis of Golf Channel. Ron Mintz of Sporting News believes the American could perform well in Rio:
The same things that make him a contender at the Olympics could make him a threat in Ayrshire, Scotland, at Royal Troon Golf Club.
Kuchar is always among the most consistent golfers on tour, and that is especially true as of late. Despite a relatively poor showing at the U.S. Open, he has finished in the top six in five of the last six events. This includes his recent tie for third at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
In 18 total events this year, Kuchar has eight top-10 finishes and just one missed cut. After being close to winning so many times, he now has a chance to break through at The Open Championship.
Zach Johnson
Padraig Harrington was the last person to win two British Opens in a row back in 2007 and 2008, so it's clearly a difficult accomplishment. However, it is possible for Zach Johnson to defend his title, and the odds should be better than his current mark of 50-1.
Even on a different course, Johnson feels confident after his playoff victory a year ago. He described his final round fondly, via Golf.com:
"The 66 on Monday was one of the best rounds I've ever played, but the course was gettable, especially going out downwind. I was 7-under through 12, and Marc Leishman and a couple others behind me were playing well, too. I didn't think the weather was harsh. Of course, coming back into the wind was not easy—hence the bogeys on 13 and 17. But I bounced back with a birdie on 18.
"
Johnson hasn't been quite as consistent as Kuchar, but when he is on, he is a major threat at any event. While the 40-year-old golfer missed the cut at the Masters Tournament in April, he was great at the U.S. Open and finished in eighth place, his third top-10 finish in the last six majors.
If he performs to his ability, Johnson has a chance to keep the Claret Jug for another year.
Patrick Reed
Navigating a links course is a different type of challenge for golfers, so having any recent success is a good sign.
Patrick Reed has that after a top-10 showing in the recent Scottish Open, thanks to shots like this out of the long grass:
Reed got off to a rough start this past weekend with a 75 in the first round, but he bounced back and ended his tournament with a 67 in Round 3 and another 67 in Round 4. Once he went six under through six holes on Saturday, he was unstoppable.
Having this type of momentum on a similar-style course could allow him to get off to a strong start at the British Open. If he uses his short game to his advantage, Reed could be an upset winner at the upcoming major.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round sports analysis.
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