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Top Five Contenders For The Open

July 17, 2018

The world’s best golfers converge on Carnoustie for the 147th Open as Jordan Spieth aims to defend his crown won at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

Spieth was imperious last year, but he has been quiet on the tour thus far this term, finishing behind Patrick Reed at The Masters despite a late surge on the final day, while he missed the cut at the US Open.

The Americans have dominated at the previous two majors as Reed and Brooks Koepka have taken the two crowns on offer this term. With the Ryder Cup on the horizon, the Europeans will be keen to address on the balance, beginning at Carnoustie.

We’ll now break down the top five contenders for the title at US Open.

Who will win the Open in 2018?

Dustin Johnson

The American always appears to be the leading contender for every major. However, he has failed to add to his one title earned in 2016 at the US Open. Johnson has been in good form throughout the term, winning on the PGA Tour at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the FedEx St Jude Classic.

The 34-year-old had form entering the US Open and he made a run at taking the title. Two impressive rounds on a difficult course put him in contention, only for Johnson to lose his composure on the third day. His collapse on his penultimate round opened the door for Koepka to snatch the crown.

Johnson has not been in action since the US Open, and although he finished third at the event, he will be eyeing a complete performance at Carnoustie. The American does not have the best record at the Open, with his best finish coming in 2011 when he finished tied-second, three shots off the pace of winner Darren Clarke. Back him to take his first Open title at odds of 13.00Bet €100 to win €130012/1Bet £100 to win £1300+1200Bet $100 to win $130012.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$130012.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp1300-0.0833Bet RM100 to win RM1300  with BetVictor.

Brooks Koepka

Whereas Johnson lost his cool, Koepka held his nerve and battled the course to clinch the US Open for the second year on the bounce. The 28-year-old missed out at The Masters due to injury, but he played himself into form ahead of the second major of the year. The American gradually improved with a decent outing at The Players Championship, while he finished second at the Fort Worth Invitational.

At the US Open, he was not consistent, carding a 75 on his opening round. However, Koepka responded from his two over-par rounds in perfect fashion. A four-under display brought him into contention on day two, only to drop back slightly for the final day. The 28-year-old was ice cool to close to the victory, holding his nerve with crucial putts around the green.

Koepka now has two major crowns to his name and he will be aiming to cash in on his form at the Open. He was solid last time out at the Travelers Championship, placing down in 19th. Back him to raise the level of his game to a championship level at Carnoustie at odds of 23.00Bet €100 to win €230022/1Bet £100 to win £2300+2200Bet $100 to win $230022.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$230022.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2300-0.0455Bet RM100 to win RM2300  with Betway.

Jordan Spieth

Since finishing third at The Masters, Spieth has been in underwhelming form, well below the standard expected of the 24-year-old. The American has not placed inside the top 20 at his last seven competitions on the PGA Tour. He missed the cut at the US Open, putting forward a poor effort at Shinnecock, ending his second round nine-over. Spieth improved slightly at the Travelers Championship last time out, with a display of four-under, although it was well off the pace of the winning score.

The American won the Open last year by producing his best form under pressure. On the final round he had a slight wobble and was in trouble off the tee at the 13th. However, from the driving range he found a decent strike with his rescue club and was able to make bogey. The shot would be crucial as it kept him one stroke behind Matt Kuchar before he reeled in his compatriot to take the Claret Jug.

Spieth usually saves his best for the big occasion, therefore back him to take the title at odds of 23.00Bet €100 to win €230022/1Bet £100 to win £2300+2200Bet $100 to win $230022.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$230022.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2300-0.0455Bet RM100 to win RM2300  with 888Sport.

Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood has impressed on the tour and was well in contention at the US Open. The 27-year-old has played in 11 events on the PGA Tour this season and has notched four finishes in the top 10, including his second-place finish at Shinnecock.

2The Englishman will look back at his performance on the third round of the US Open with regret. He carded a 78 to drop off the pace of the leading group, enduring a torrid time on the course. Fleetwood was exceptional on the final day, producing the display of the round with a seven-under outing, although it was not enough to even force a playoff with Koepka.

Fleetwood will have learned from his experience as he continues to find his way on the PGA Tour. He has made four appearances at the Open and has struggled to make an impact. His best finish came last term when he placed in 27th. The 27-year-old should at least be on course for an improvement and could come into contention for the crown at odds of 23.00Bet €100 to win €230022/1Bet £100 to win £2300+2200Bet $100 to win $230022.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$230022.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2300-0.0455Bet RM100 to win RM2300  with 888Sport.

Justin Rose

Surprisingly Rose’s best performance at the Open remains tied-fourth he achieved at the tournament back in 1998. The Englishman carded a two-over round for the competition, although he was in contention throughout the weekend. On the basis of his performance he was expected to become a star. It did not work out that way immediately as he struggled for form in his 20s.

However, for the past seven years, he has been a force on the PGA Tour. He only has the one major win, although he has finished in the top five at the big events on four occasions. This season he has been in the hunt for the majors, placing 12th at The Masters and tenth at the US Open. No Englishman has won the Open since Nick Faldo triumphed in 1992, and Rose will be the man determined to end the drought for his country.

The 37-year-old has form behind him and is more than capable of securing his second crown. Back him at odds of 17.00Bet €100 to win €170016/1Bet £100 to win £1700+1600Bet $100 to win $170016.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$170016.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp1700-0.0625Bet RM100 to win RM1700  with BetVictor to win the Claret Jug.

Tips Summary

Dustin Johnson To Win The Open
Thursday 19th July 2018 – Sunday 22nd July 2018
Odds: 13.00Bet €100 to win €130012/1Bet £100 to win £1300+1200Bet $100 to win $130012.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$130012.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp1300-0.0833Bet RM100 to win RM1300

Brooks Koekpa To Win The Open
Thursday 19th July 2018 – Sunday 22nd July 2018
Odds: 23.00Bet €100 to win €230022/1Bet £100 to win £2300+2200Bet $100 to win $230022.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$230022.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2300-0.0455Bet RM100 to win RM2300

Jordan Spieth To Win The Open
Thursday 19th July 2018 – Sunday 22nd July 2018
Odds: 23.00Bet €100 to win €230022/1Bet £100 to win £2300+2200Bet $100 to win $230022.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$230022.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2300-0.0455Bet RM100 to win RM2300

Tommy Fleetwood To Win The Open
Thursday 19th July 2018 – Sunday 22nd July 2018
Odds: 23.00Bet €100 to win €230022/1Bet £100 to win £2300+2200Bet $100 to win $230022.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$230022.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2300-0.0455Bet RM100 to win RM2300

Justin Rose To Win The Open
Thursday 19th July 2018 – Sunday 22nd July 2018
Odds: 17.00Bet €100 to win €170016/1Bet £100 to win £1700+1600Bet $100 to win $170016.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$170016.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp1700-0.0625Bet RM100 to win RM1700

  • Brooks Koepka
  • Dustin Johnson
  • Golf
  • Jordan Spieth
  • Justin Rose
  • The Open
  • Tommy Fleetwood

    About the author

    Simon Sinclair
    Simon Sinclair

    Sports Writer

    Simon is a freelance sports writer from the UK. He passionately writes about all kinds of sports, sharing his predictions on everything from the latest cricket matches and golf tournaments to major horse racing events and popular American sports.