The Bearded Talisman's 153rd Open Championship Bets

1) Scottie Scheffler to WIN (+450, 1.5 units) –  Beginning with his T-2^nd finish at the Houston Open in late March, Scottie has finished no WORSE than T-7^th in each of the 9 events he has entered in that span, including 3 first place finishes.   His 2025 season got off to an inauspicious start when he injured his right hand on Christmas Day while trying to cut ravioli dough with a broken wine glass (you cannot make these things up)    That knocked him out for about a month, and it took him a while to regain his form, but he had his “I’m back” moment in early May when he shot 31 under to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.   He then stepped up his game at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, on a course that Rory “owned”, and obliterated the field by 5 strokes to win his 3^rd major.   He was a bit off at The US Open at Oakmont – never really adjusting to the peculiar greens and pin placements – but still managed to finish T-7^th.   Scottie had a nice tuneup at The Genesis Scottish Open and I expect him to dominate this week, and while he will not say it, he is motivated to win in Rory’s backyard of Northern Ireland, especially with PGA Player of the Year status at stake, and especially since he has not won an Open Championship to date.   I used to work with an engineer from Georgia Tech.   He used to say in construction you have to “Be a Finisher” to succeed and survive – meaning you execute a detailed plan with focus from start to finish, and when the job is done, it’s done, and you do not have to go back and make corrections – without a shadow of a doubt, you FINISH.   Golf is not all unlike construction, and Scottie Scheffler is the ultimate finisher.   The year started with Scottie Scheffler as the World’s Number 1 ranked golfer and it is going to end with Scottie Scheffler as the World’s Number 1 ranked golfer.   Any sort of debate on Golfer of the Year will be laid to rest this week in Northern Ireland – Scottie Scheffler will be Champion Golfer of the Year.

2) Victor Hovland to WIN WITHOUT Scheffler and McIlroy (30-1, ½ unit) – Finished 3^rd at The US Open and a week later was playing well at The Travelers - shot a 63 on Saturday - prior to withdrawing with an illness on Sunday.   Had a solid tuneup at the Genesis Scottish Open.   Arguably the best golfer in the world who has not won a major, and he typically plays very well in majors - in his last 10 majors, he's finished in the Top 3 three times. 30-1?? especially when you don’t have to beat Scottie or Rory?? I like it.

Editor's note: The Bearded Talisman (BT) is one of the most successful golf gamblers in the world. He has won eight majors pre-tourney, including the 2025 PGA Championship, the 2024 Open, the 2023 Masters and the 2023 PGA Championship. BT is the only sports gambler known to have completed the COVID Slam, winning all 4 golf majors within a 12 month period. https://www.mylifeontheline.com/post/the-covid-slam   He resides in Kansas City, and is often seen in The Woodlands, Texas area having fajitas with Kaylee and Charlee Kay.