The Bearded Talisman's picks for the 154th Open Championship
- Jul 13
- 2 min read
Scottie Scheffler to WIN (+620, 1.5 units) – Three weeks ago, the world number one came within an inch of winning The Travelers and settled for his 4th solo 2nd of the year. He missed the cut last week at The Genesis Scottish Open but that was nothing more than a tuneup for this week’s major, and he may have benefitted by the missed cut with more practice time at Royal Birkdale. The +620 odds – his longest pre-tourney odds of the year – are like manna from heaven. And don’t think that Scottie doesn’t know fellow Texan Jordan Spieth won here in 2017, and that is a strong point of motivation. Also, any discussion of anyone else but Scottie winning PGA player of the year will be eviscerated with a win this week. They say with stocks, capitulation marks the point of maximum fear, and many pundits this week are down on Scottie. I say Scottie Scheffler +620 is a strong BUY.
Victor Hovland to WIN WITHOUT Scheffler and McIlroy (+2600, 1 unit) – Who is the best golfer on Earth not to have won a major? In my mind it’s Victor Hovland. He won The Travelers 3 weeks ago and had a T-13th last week at The Genesis. Even go back 5 weeks ago he finished 3rd at the RBC Canadian Open. Go back to 2023, Hovland won the FedEx Cup. His talent just screams at you, and his highest gear is higher than anyone except Scottie and maybe Rory. Victor Hovland is simply LETHAL. 26-1 to win without Scheffler and McIlroy? Full send.
Wyndham Clark to WIN WITHOUT Scheffler and McIlroy (+3200, 1 unit) – You could make the case that since this year’s Masters Wyndham Clark has been the best golfer in the world. He won the Byron Nelson shooting -30, he won The US Open and darn near won The Memorial and The Travelers. Even last week at The Genesis he finished T-13th and that was with a mysterious lost ball in Round 1 that resulted in a double-bogey 7. I just don’t see any weaknesses in his game right now. They say all glory is fleeting, but right now Clark is riding a heater of a lifetime. I’m going to ride it with him.
Editor's note: The Bearded Talisman (BT) is one of the most successful golf gamblers in the world. He has won 10 majors pre-tourney, including the 2026 US Open, the 2025 PGA Championship and the 2025 Open. 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 going to Texas A&M games with Kaylee and Charlee Kay.
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