As the 153rd Open Championship gets underway at Royal Portrush, Thursday’s schedule brings a captivating mix of global stars, local favourites, and rising contenders all eyeing the coveted Claret Jug. Read on for our expert preview and to find the best tips and analysis and don’t miss out on the best bookmaker offers as listed below.
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Golf betting tips: Open Championship specials and prop bets Predictions
Can the World’s Best Tame Royal Portrush in the Claret Jug Chase?
- Scottie Scheffler ranks first on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total, Off-the-Tee, and Approach to Green.
- He has recorded ten straight top-10 finishes heading into The Open Championship.
- His scoring average of 68.45 is the best among all PGA Tour players this season.
Our Tips
Scottie Scheffler to be Top American Player | |
9/4 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Scottie Scheffler is the most complete player on Tour, statistically leading in total strokes gained and excelling in all key scoring areas. His consistency, combined with exceptional form and course adaptability, makes him the most reliable American contender at Royal Portrush. He’s our clear choice to top the USA leaderboard. | |
Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline welcomes back one of golf’s most dramatic tournaments, with the Dunluce Links primed to offer a stern but fair examination of the world’s best.
The conditions will play their usual role in shaping the leaderboard. While early-week weather interruptions disrupted practice rounds, forecasts for the opening day suggest changeable skies and shifting winds—classic links traits that introduce unpredictability into even the most calculated approaches. Those who can blend patience, creativity, and execution will find themselves in contention.
Amongst the field of 156 players are some of the most decorated champions of modern golf, and they’ll be tested by more than just the course layout. With greens protected by tricky bunkering and narrow fairways flanked by unforgiving rough, the demand for precision will remain high from the very first tee shot.
The event’s final major status of the season adds another layer of drama. With only one more opportunity to capture major glory in 2025, every shot will carry heightened pressure, particularly for those who have contended but not yet capitalised earlier in the year.
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Best Bet for Today – Scottie Scheffler to be Top American Player
Here at BettingTips4You, we focus solely on quality over quantity. Rather than flooding you with a list of predictions, we prefer to highlight one outstanding selection per event—making your betting experience simpler, more confident, and easier to track for long-term results.
For today’s play, our standout recommendation is to back Scottie Scheffler to finish as the Top American Player.
Few in the field bring the consistency, technical excellence, and tournament temperament that Scheffler has demonstrated throughout the 2025 season. Arriving at Royal Portrush as the world number one, his recent form is backed by a phenomenal run that includes ten consecutive top-ten finishes and a win at this year’s PGA Championship. His game is finely tuned for major championship golf, and the statistics highlight why he stands apart.
Scheffler currently leads the PGA Tour in numerous key areas, including Strokes Gained: Total, Off-the-Tee, Approach to Green, and Tee-to-Green. His proximity to the hole ranks second overall, and his scrambling ability is equally elite, sitting second in that category as well. These are metrics that translate directly into performance at a venue like Portrush, where control from tee to green and recovery play are critical.
Even in adverse weather, his early and late scoring averages are unmatched, and he ranks first in both adjusted and actual scoring. When the wind howls and the rain lashes, Scheffler’s reliability in ball-striking and distance control provides a clear edge over his fellow American competitors.
His short game is quietly efficient—22nd in putting, fourth in average putts per hole—and his bogey avoidance is the best on Tour. The cumulative effect is a player who rarely gives away shots and consistently builds competitive rounds under pressure.
While others may carry volatility, Scheffler’s game is built on repeatable excellence, particularly in majors. That’s why, among a deep and talented American contingent, he looks the most assured to lead the way by Sunday evening.
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