Credit: GETTY
AT every Major I try to identify ‘Five to Follow, a quintet of players who might not be the most obvious contenders, but who represent good value.
So no Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy – far too obvious. And much too short in the betting.
Tommy Fleetwood just about falls into the same category, although the hugely popular Southport golfer will have plenty of followers in his home Open this week.
At 16-1 he is a tempting option – but at the same odds, Matt Fitzpatrick has better credentials. So he gets the nod, alongside Wyndham Clark, Chris Gotterup, Collin Morikawa, and big outsider Haotong Li…..
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And here are the reasons they have made the shortlist…..
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The Open 2026 betting tips
Matt Fitzpatrick, 16-1: The Sheffield star has been one of the hottest players on the planet this year with three wins and a couple of runner-up finishes. Third in the Scottish Open last week, and also T4 at Portrush.
Chris Gotterup, 28-1: Another three time winner in 2026, and was in with a shout of retaining his Scottish Open crown last week before fading late on. Solo third at Portrush as the last man to earn a spot.
Wyndham Clark, 33-1: Won his second US Open title last month after emerging from a brief slump with victory at the Byron Nelson. Tied fourth at Portrush last year, and is playing much better now.
Collin Morikawa, 33-1: Seems to be over his back issues and the distraction of becoming a dad for the first time. The 2021 Open champion looked certain to win again soon when finishing third at the Travelers.
Haotong Li, 250-1: Dismal recent form, but at these odds it might be better to concentrate on his previous Open efforts. Matched Fitzpatrick and Clark at Portrush and was third at the last Birkdale Open, in 2017.
If that lot are not to your liking, the players who were strongly considered but just failed to make the final five include another 33-1 shot in Tyrrell Hatton and 50-1 chance Min Woo Lee, last week’s Scottish Open runner-up.
Johnny Keefer earned a last minute spot at Birkdale with a tied third finish at the Renaissance Club.
The American rookie is a favourite of this column, and it would be no surprise to see him go well at odds of 200-1.
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