Rory McIlroy hasn't won any of golf's Majors since 2014 but he is one of the most in-form golfers in the world right now and that is why the Northern Irishman is a clear 10-1 favourite with Betfred for this week's 150th Open Championship.
McIlroy heads to St Andrews with five top-eight finishes to his name from his last seven events and that includes a two-shot victory in last month's Canadian Open. That Toronto victory carries significance because recent form has been a key factor at this event years, so much so that five of the last eight winners had won at least one of their last five tournaments.
Rory has three top-five finishes to his name since he won this event at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and he has some very strong form at St Andrews but he has been a long way below his best in the last two editions of The Open and punters should really be looking at bigger-priced contenders for their wagers.
Experience edge
2021 winner Colin Morikawa was the first debutant to win The Open since Ben Curtis stunned the golfing world back in 1993 but the general rule with this tournament is that it goes to an experienced professional, and often one that has already posted a top-ten effort. Louis Oosthuizen is the only recent Open winner not to have previously finished in the top ten.
The other major trend for this tournament is proximity to the lead from the outset. St Andrews is an extremely difficult track at which to come from off the pace and every recent winner has been near the pace from the very first round. Jack Nicklaus is the only winner since the second world war to come from outside the top ten. With that in mind, be wary of players that take time to warm to the task.
The key contenders
Jon Rahm was sent off favourite for last week's Scottish Open but could only trail in a disappointing 55th. The Spaniard, who is a two-time Irish Open winner (2017 and 2019) remains one of the finest links exponents around at the moment and it shouldn't be forgotten that he posted a fine third in this event 12 months ago.
The issue for Rahm's supporters is recent form. He's certainly not in the same kind of form he was last season and although he could easily come to life here, the lack of a recent victory is off-putting.
Preference is for last week's Rennaisance Club hero Xander Schauffele, who is in sizzling form right now. The American heads to St Andrews having won his last three tournaments - the Travelers, the JP McManus Pro-Am and the Scottish Open - so it's no surprise the 28-year-old figures highly in Betfred's betting list.
Schauffele has yet to win one of golf's four biggest prizes but now looks his time and he's already gone close in this tournament having finished tied second in 2018.
British Open 2022 tip
Back Xander Schauffele at 16-1 with Betfred (where you can get TEN places)
Key British Open Stats
- 2017 winner Jordan Spieth has never missed the cut in an Open and has four top-ten finishes to his name since 2015.
- Rory McIlroy has finished eighth or better in five of his last seven events, including a win in the Canadian Open.
- Xander Schauffele has won two consecutive PGA Tour events, as well as the JP McManus Pro-Am.
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#Ad: British Open 2022 odds with Betfred (each-way: 1/5 odds - TEN places)
- 10-1 Rory McIlroy
- 16-1 Jordan Spieth
- 16-1 Xander Schauffele
- 18-1 John Rahm
- 20-1 Scottie Scheffler
- 20-1 Justin Thomas
- 20-1 Matt Fitzpatrick
- 20-1 Shane Lowry
- 22-1 Cameron Smith
- 22-1 Patrick Cantlay
- 25-1 Will Zalatoris
- 28-1 Colin Morikawa
- 30-1 Colin Fleetwood
- 35-1 Tyrrell Hatton
- 35-1 Dustin Johnson
- 40-1 bar
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British Open 2022 1st round Tee-Off times
10:02
- Collin Morikawa
- Keita Nakajima
- Anna Nordqvist
- Jess Baker
10:14
- Jordan Spieth
- Mark Calcavecchia
- Ian Baker-Finch
- Juan Postigo Arce
10:26
- Henrik Stenson
- Mark O’Meara
- Aaron Jarvis
- Jennifer Sraga
10:38
- Laura Davies
- Darren Clarke
- Shane Lowry
- Jack Bingham
10:50
- Gary Player
- Sandy Lyle
- Bob Charles
- Monique Kalkman
11:07
- Ernie Els
- Bill Rogers
- Aldrich Potgieter
- Filippo Celli
11:19
- Catriona Matthew
- Padraig Harrington
- Francesco Molinari
- Louise Duncan
11:31
- Tom Watson
- Stewart Cink
- Paul Lawrie
- Kipp Popert
11:43
- Nick Faldo
- John Daly
- Zach Johnson
- Louis Oosthuizen
11:55
- Tiger Woods
- Rory McIlroy
- Lee Trevino
- Georgia Hall
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