Can anyone beat DJ? Odds, news & best bets for 2018 British Open

IT should surprise nobody that Dustin Johnson will start the 2018 Open Championship as the outright favourite.

Online bookmaker William Hill has the world number one pegged at +1200 to triumph at Carnoustie, where the first round will commence on Thursday, July 19.

Hot on his heels are fellow American star Rickie Fowler (+1400) and British hope Justin Rose (+1600).

Interest in the once-dominant trio of Rory McIlroy (+1800), Jordan Spieth (+2000) and Jason Day (+3300) has cooled off somewhat, while Tiger Woods has eased out to +2200 in title betting.

Woods has not won a professional tournament in five years, yet he believes the Open offers the best opportunity to add to his 14 major titles.

When asked if he could win it again, the 42-year-old American told reporters: “Yes, because you don’t have to be long to play on a links golf course.”

Woods cited recent performances from veteran stars Tom Watson and Greg Norman as proof that big hitting is not a priority on British links courses.

A 53-year-old Norman held the lead well into the final round at Royal Birkdale in 2008, while a 59-year-old Watson fell only one stroke short of Stewart Cink at Turnberry a year later.

“Look what Tom did at Turnberry at 59,” Woods said.

“Greg was there at Birkdale… It certainly can be done.”

Conditions at Carnoustie may well work in Tiger’s favour.

An ongoing heatwave in the United Kingdom has left the Championship Course even drier and faster than usual, which should suit players who can find channels along the ground.

“At Carnoustie there are not many opportunities to hit the driver because the ball is going to roll 80 yards, so it’s hard to keep the ball in play,” said Woods.

“I hit a three iron 333 yards in practice on the 18th hole so when I get a bit older I can still chase a long club down there, so distance becomes a moot point.”

Tiger has not recorded a top-10 finish in a major tournament since the 2013 Open at Muirfield, where long-time rival Phil Mickelson lifted the Claret Jug.

Best bet: Dustin Johnson

Odds courtesy of Bovada

• Outright winner – +1200
• Lowest round – +1400
• Top five – +260

It is impossible to overlook the big-hitting American, even if his greatest weapon may become a handicap on drought-stricken fairways.

DJ can grip and rip with the best of them, but his unique technique also allows him to hit low, raking balls under the wind.

Early reports suggest the groundsmen will leave the greens a little woolly to compensate for the dry conditions, which may work for a player whose putter has a nasty habit of running cold on hot surfaces.

Look for Johnson in all the big British Open betting markets, including the most important one of all.

Dark horse: Marc Leishman

Odds courtesy of Bovada

• Outright winner – +3300
• Top 10 – +320
• Top Australian – +225

Is Marc Leishman the most underrated golfer on the PGA Tour?

The big Australian is still looking for his first win of 2018, but he is no stranger to the pointy end of a major.

Leishman has made four consecutive cuts at the British Open, finishing tied sixth or better in three of those.

After solid showings at the Masters and the US Open this year, he looms as great value to run top 10 or even top five (+650) at Carnoustie.

Best lay: Jason Day

Odds courtesy of Bovada

• Outright winner – +3300
• To miss the cut – +260
• Top 40 – -149.25

From one Aussie to another, we must now address why one of world golf’s biggest stars is no chance to salute this weekend.

Day hits the ball a long way and has a very decent short game, but everything in between has gone to pot.

Carnoustie demands accuracy when approaching the green – a part of the game with which Day has struggled all year.

Ignore the juicy outright odds, for the talented Queenslander will struggle to make the cut if he cannot find a way to keep his irons in play.

2018 British Open outright odds

+1200 – Dustin Johnson
+1400 – Rickie Fowler
+1600 – Justin Rose
+1800 – Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy
+2000 – Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth
+2200 – Sergio Garcia, Tiger Woods
+2500 – Alex Noren, Henrik Stenson, Justin Thomas
+2800 – Branden Grace, Francesco Molinari
+3000 – Jason Day, Tyrrell Hatton
+3300 – Paul Casey, Marc Leishman, Patrick Reed
+5000 – Matthew Fitzpatrick, Zach Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Phil Mickelson

More players quoted at Bovada