Action Report: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy Most Popular Ahead of Open Championship

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Scottie Scheffler walks to green on the 18th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Ryan Hannable @RyanHannable Jul 17, 2024, 1:25 PM

The final major of the year – the Open Championship from Royal Troon – is here. 

When it comes to golf betting at the BetMGM online sportsbook, it’s no surprise that the two most popular players are Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. 

The pair have the shortest odds in the field, as Scheffler is +500 and McIlroy is +800.

As of Wednesday, Scheffler is pulling in a massive 23.7% of the money on 14.3% of the tickets. Meanwhile, McIlroy is drawing the second-most money (9.4%) on the second-most tickets (7.9%).

Scheffler is making his first start since winning the Travelers Championship last month, while this is McIlroy’s first major since his disappointing runner-up finish to Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open. 

Scheffler’s best Open Championship finish is a T-8 back in 2021, while McIlroy won the event in 2014 and has two straight top 10 finishes.

Another popular pick is DeChambeau (+1400). He is drawing the third-most tickets (6.2%) and the third-highest handle (6.5%).

DeChambeau has just one finish better than 30th at the Open Championship, a T-8 in 2022.

Scheffler, Collin Morikawa (+1400) and McIlroy are BetMGM’s biggest liabilities for the week.

Current Handle & Tickets

Handle

  1. Scottie Scheffler – 23.7%
  2. Rory McIlroy – 9.4%
  3. Bryson DeChambeau – 6.5%
  4. Collin Morikawa – 6.4%
  5. Ludvig Aberg – 4.9%

Tickets

  1. Scottie Scheffler – 14.3%
  2. Rory McIlroy – 7.9%
  3. Bryson DeChambeau – 6.2%
  4. Collin Morikawa – 6.1%
  5. Ludvig Aberg – 6%

Scheffler is also a big favorite in first-round leader betting (+1400). He’s drawing the most money (8.7%) on the most tickets (8.4%).

In the top-5 market, Scheffler is taking in the most tickets (+100). Morikawa has the most tickets in the top-10 market (+140), while Aaron Rai has the most tickets in the top-20 market (+200).

Tiger Woods is the most bet player in terms of tickets to make the cut (+200).

BetMGM First Bet Offer $1,500
About the Author

Ryan Hannable

Read More @RyanHannable

Ryan Hannable is a Content Managing Editor on the Web Content Team for BetMGM. Previously, he was a New England Patriots beat writer for WEEI in Boston. He also has published a golf book, “The Ultimate Book of Golf Trivia: 600 Questions and Answers.”

Ryan Hannable is a Content Managing Editor on the Web Content Team for BetMGM. Previously, he was a New England Patriots beat writer for WEEI in Boston. He also has published a golf book, “The Ultimate Book of Golf Trivia: 600 Questions and Answers.”