The Open Championship 2022: Predictions, Betting Odds & Preview


The Open Championship will get underway tomorrow, as the best golfers from across the globe head to Scotland to compete for the Claret Jug.

St Andrews is the course of choice for this year's competition, with the Home of Golf hosting The Open for the first time since Zach Johnson saw off Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman en route to a thrilling playoff success.

But who will come out victorious this week? RealSport101's Tom Young delivers his predictions and betting lines for this week's event.

Rory McIlroy (10/1)

There are few better golfers on the planet than Rory McIlroy, and given his recent form, it should come as no surprise to see that he is one of our picks for this week's event.

Rory has impressed in the majors so far this year with a tied 5th placed finish at the US Open and an outright runner-up spot at the Masters. A poor start to the Players meant that Rory could only muster a T33 finish in his first major of the year.

St Andrews is a course that plays into the hands of those who excel with their short game in and around the greens, and if Rory can play half as well as he did en route to victory at the Canadian Open in June, then he will be right up there come Sunday.

Xander Schauffele (16/1)

Xander Schauffele is the tour's form player heading into the final major of the year, with three victories in his last three outings.

Yes, one of those victories came in the c JP McManus Pro-Am, but even still, the American has come out victorious in his last two ranking events, including an impressive victory in last week's Scottish Open.

Surprisingly, Schauffele is yet to pick up a major honour in his career, however, he's never looked in better shape to finally get his name on the list of major winners.

The only qualm we have with Schauffele right now is if he's got enough left in the tank to battle through four tough rounds at the Home of Golf.

Cameron Smith (25/1)

Cameron Smith is another player who has yet to add a major honour to his name, but that could change this week.

The Australian looked set to challenge eventual champion, Scottie Scheffler, at the Masters, before dunking one into the water late into his final round en route to a T3 finish.

His wayward driver has held him back somewhat this season, but on a St Andrews course that is more forgiving off the tee than most major golf courses, the 2022 Players Champion will fancy his chances.

And if he can find form with the putter, then we do too. Expect Smith to be competing late in the day on Sunday as he fights for the Claret Jug.

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