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Golf Betting Roundtable: Full Betting Information on The Open
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Written by Rob Bolton
Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England is ready to host the 154th Open Championship. The course is so well received that for the 156 people admitted to study history, not to mention a jug of claret, it can feel like Christmas in July.
Whether Santa Claus (or Father Frost, as he is known in this part of the world) leaves each participant with a treat or a lump of coal will not necessarily correspond to their expectations. Instead, Mother Nature will be naughty or nice. As is often the case in this competition, she will be in control along the Irish Sea. Results are critical. This deviation is no more significant than at Royal Birkdale.
For more information on weather and other details for the final tournament of the year, see below for those predicted to participate.
Results determine who wins a golf tournament, but in The Open, nothing beats the elements. It’s no different than how the starting pitchers at Wrigley Field always pay attention to the direction of the flags when they arrive on game day. Therefore, I have great respect for the forecast review being given first and full attention.
The predominant breeze at Royal Birkdale is from the south-westerly, but it is likely that only those who can survive the 36-hole stretch of low 70 and draw will enjoy it over the weekend. Until then, the wind will generally blow from the north. The good news is that wind gusts will be relatively calm, so sustained moderate winds will be the norm, if at all. Daytime temperatures should easily climb into the 70s and remain dry.
Of course, no one in these parts is foolish enough to rely on expectations of conditions beyond those one personally experiences at any time, but the 2026 edition of The Open heralds more of the way things went the last time the R&A commissioned Royal Birkdale to take charge in 2017 than it did in turn before in 2008.
Nine years ago Jordan Spieth won by three strokes with a 72-hole score of 12-under 268. On his way to victory, he employed a, shall we say, unique method of bogeying the par-4 13th hole in the final. What was Spieth’s trademark also became the hallmark of what it takes to win The Open. But Royal Birkdale also produced the first ever aircraft under 63 years old when Branden Grace in the third round he created a game without bogeys: 8 players under 62. The par 70 turned over that day and averaged 69.03, exactly five strokes lower than the second round, for which its 74.03 remained the highest second-round average all season.
To this, the 2008 edition says, “Hold my tea.”
The average weekly score that year was 74.869. It remains the highest par clip on any course the PGA TOUR has visited since, and Padraig Harrington3 over 283 is the only win above par in the 21st century. Coal for everyone, except the Irish, of course!
Perhaps as often as weather makes a difference, Royal Birkdale has changed as much over time. If not for the emphasis on the sky, the introduction of a new hole would generate the most revenue at a course slightly older than Wrigley Field. Indeed, the par-3 15th hole makes its debut this week. It looks like a beast at 241 yards, but that’s thanks to the prevailing wind. The former 15th is now a par-5 14th that plays 602 yards.
These changes formed the basis of a comprehensive renovation led by architect Tom McKenzie. You may be familiar with his work with partner Martin Ebert, most recently at Royal Portrush, site of the 2025 Open. From 2017, the Royal Birkdale is 67 yards longer and can stretch to 7,223 yards. This is the sweet spot for 70 par shares.
The finish could have been even sweeter for the eventual winner. Both par 5s are on the inside, so the respective round pars are 34 and 36. Unlike most outdoor courses, but at Wrigley it is very much a target for pitchers when the wind blows, golfers are not required to keep the ball on the ground in the traditional style of links at Royal Birkdale. In fact, this will not be a smart strategy at all on a few holes with set greens, but since this strategy can produce poor results when the wind dies down, attacking with short irons will be common. It will be a fair challenge, but also a fun one.
As of Monday, 41 guys who took part this week can attest to this. They represent the cohort that tried it in 2017. Among them, six were in the top 10, and another five were in the top 25.
For those who outperform others this year, further enjoyment will be realized in the form of many benefits. For example, the top 10 will automatically qualify for the 2027 Open at St. Andrews, while the top four will receive tickets to the 2027 Masters.
The big box under the tree goes to the winner. He will be exempt from playing in The Open until he is 60 and from playing in three other majors until 2031. If he qualifies, his PGA TOUR exemption will also be extended through 2031, as will his invitation to play at THE PLAYERS Championship.
PGATOUR.com’s Rob Bolton previews and recaps each tournament. His speaking dates are listed below. He is also active as @RobBoltonGolf on X, where he can be contacted.
- MONDAY: Strength Ranking (Open Championship)
- TUESDAY: Sleepers* (Open Championship); Power Ranking (Corales Puntacana Championship); Experts’ Choice
- WEDNESDAY: Fantasy Insider
- SUNDAY: Points and Payouts (Open Championship); Points and payouts (Corales Puntacana Championship); Qualifications
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