2019 British Open Set For Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush

By BetOnline July 17, 2019

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The British Open–also euphemistically referred to as ‘The Open Championship’–is the final major of the PGA season and always one of the more interesting events of the year. The storylines are particularly compelling this time around with the event being held at Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is the home country of the British Open odds betting favorite Rory McIlroy. The subtext of all of this is heightened by the long history of sectarian political and religious violence in Northern Ireland. There are signs that the tensions that have long divided the country are easing to the point that the British Open is being held in Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years.

There’s plenty of places to read up on the sociopolitical history of Northern Ireland and the symbolic implications of the British Open returning to the country after nearly 70 years. We’re going to focus on the golf betting and look at some attractive futures betting choices to win the tournament.

2019 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROYAL PORTRUSH

RORY MCILROY (+800): This is almost too obvious but McIlroy is the favorite for a reason. He’s currently #3 in the PGA statistical standings and #2 on the money list. Overall, he’s having a killer season. In fact, it is arguably his best statistical performance in several years now. The potential storyline of McIlroy winning in his home country in the Open’s return to Northern Ireland would be great and it’s a very realistic scenario. McIlroy has four straight British Open top ten finishes and has absolutely shredded the course at Royal Portrush throughout his career–he once shot a 61 here.

JOHN RAHM (+1400): Rahm is still looking for his first majors championship win and this could be where it happens. His skill set lends itself well to the layout at Royal Portrush. Rahm loves playing on links courses and he’s got the all around game that it takes to succeed on this type of track. Rahm has been focusing on the mental component of his game of late and it could pay a nice dividend here.

MATT WALLACE (+4000): Wallace is a very attractive longshot here. He’s one of the breakout stars on the European tour and is starting to earn a reputation worldwide. Fans gravitate toward his confident-bordering-on-obnoxious persona and he’s shown this season that he can hang with the upper echelons of the sport. He’s still looking for his first major but has shown well on big stages this year with a T3 at the PGA Championship, a T6 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a T12 at the US Open.

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