As the 2024 Open Championship weekend unfolds, the golfing world is abuzz with drama and excitement. Scottie Scheffler's journey thus far has been a rollercoaster, starting five shots back after Round 1 with odds of +380. However, an impressive performance in Round 2 has improved his visibility, tightening his odds to +330.
Shane Lowry stands tall with a two-stroke advantage over Justin Rose and Daniel Brown. Lowry’s history at the British Open adds to the narrative; he was a co-leader after Round 2 of the 2019 tournament and went on to claim victory by six strokes. Despite this stellar past performance, SportsLine cautions, "Despite his play thus far, and winning the 2019 British Open, this tournament has actually been where Lowry has struggled the most amongst the four majors."
Justin Rose and Daniel Brown: Formidable Contenders
Justin Rose remains a strong contender with odds of +650 as he enters the weekend. Fellow competitor Daniel Brown, who led after Round 1, holds longer odds of +2200 to win the title. Both players will be closely watched as the rest of the tournament unfolds.
The Rahm Comeback Story
Jon Rahm's journey in this championship has had its share of highs and lows. A rocky start saw him shooting 3-over-par through his first 26 holes. However, Rahm rallied spectacularly, scoring 2-under-par over the last 10 holes. Currently, he sits eight strokes behind Lowry. Rahm's record in the British Open is impressive, finishing second last year and third in 2021. His triumph in the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters further showcase his resilience and skill. Despite his current position, Rahm’s odds are pegged at +3500, indicating slim hopes among bookmakers.
SportsLine highlights Rahm’s potential: "It was just last year that Rahm entered the weekend of the British Open in 39th place and 12 strokes back of the lead only to close the gap and finish in second place." The sentiment around Rahm remains cautiously optimistic. "There are lots of encouraging signs with both Rahm's play so far and his recent history, so he shouldn't be overlooked with 2024 Open Championship weekend bets," SportsLine advises.
Model Predictions and Analytics
Intriguingly, SportsLine's proprietary model has been a beacon for bettors, having accrued nearly $9,000 on its best bets since June 2020. This model boasts a track record of accurately predicting the outcomes of 13 majors. Simulating the 2024 Open Championship 10,000 times, the model's insights add another layer of informed speculation to this prestigious event.
As the competition progresses, the golfing elite will undoubtedly bring moments of brilliance, grit, and perhaps unexpected twists. Whether veterans like Lowry maintain their advantage or challengers like Rahm stage a significant comeback, the 2024 Open Championship promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats until the very last putt.