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2018 British Open Betting Props: Wagering on Playoff Might Offer Some Value
July 18, 2018
The British Open is traditionally the most difficult major to win for many golfers due to the often unpredictable nature of the golf course and weather that accompanies tournament play. That also makes it arguably the most interesting golf event to wager on for bettors, especially when it comes to the number of British Open betting props available.
Surprisingly, the past four winners have all finished 12-under par or better after a rough run that saw only one golfer score less than seven under in seven years. That said, there has been a playoff to decide the British Open winner three times over the previous 11 years, including the last time the event took place at Carnoustie Golf Links.
That happened back in 2007 when Irishman Padraig Harrington won his first of two consecutive British Open titles, edging Spaniard Sergio Garcia in a four-hole playoff. Americans Stewart Cink (2009) and Zach Johnson (2015) followed as playoff winners over the next decade, and the odds of another playoff deciding the 2018 British Open are listed at +300 (bet $100 to win $300) at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.
Of course the more likely scenario is taking the "No" on a playoff taking place at -450 (bet $450 to win $100), but where is the fun in that? If you want even better odds than wagering on a playoff, though, consider betting on the final margin being exactly three strokes at +550. That has been the case in each of the past two British Opens along with four of the last seven.
A one-stroke victory is the +250 favorite on the winning margin prop despite happening only once in the previous 14 years, when South African Ernie Els won his second British Open title over Adam Scott in 2012.
This year, Els is a +2200 long shot to finish as the best player from his country, with Branden Grace (+200) and Louis Oosthuizen (+350) as the top two choices on those British Open props. Oosthuizen won the 2010 British Open, while Americans have taken home the title in three of the past five years following Els.
Jordan Spieth is the defending champion, and you can also take a shot on him or fellow American Rickie Fowler winning it at +850 or bet the field at -2000. Fowler tied for second place with Garcia in 2014 when Rory McIlroy won.
For more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes or listen to it at OddsShark.libsyn.com.