Dustin Johnson opens as 10-1 favorite to win British Open
Dustin Johnson has dealt with some major issues this year.
He missed the Masters after injuring his back falling down stairs on the eve of the iconic tournament, then missed the cut at the U.S. Open on Friday after flailing in the fescue at Erin Hills.
Despite his missteps, Johnson remains the world’s top-ranked golfer and the odds-on favorite to win the British Open, which will be played July 20 to 23 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.
Johnson opened as the 10-1 favorite at the Westgate sports book to win the year’s third major. Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are each listed at 12-1, and Jason Day and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia are each 15-1.
McIlroy and Day also missed the cut at the U.S. Open, where 30-1 long shot Brooks Koepka won after shooting 16 under.
“It’s just so tough for these guys. The talent goes so deep in golf now. So many guys are capable of winning,” Westgate sports book manager Jeff Sherman said. “In past British Opens, we’ve seen Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton win, and those guys were 500-1. The weather forecast and elements work against you. There’s a big luck element.”
Henrik Stenson won the 2016 British Open at Royal Troon after outlasting Phil Mickelson in one of the most dramatic final-round duels in major championship history. Stenson, who closed at 25-1 odds, shot an 8-under 63 to tie Johnny Miller’s record for the lowest final round in a major. Mickelson, who went off at 30-1, fired a bogey-free 6-under 65 in the final round and still lost by three shots.
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Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.