2026 Open Championship Early Odds and Storylines

Bryson DeChambeau arrives at Royal Birkdale hoping to finally post his first major cut of the season, a goal that feels more urgent after a missed‑cut showing at Shinnecock. Across the leaderboard, Brooks Koepka is looking to build on a T‑6 finish from the course’s previous Open, hoping the experience translates into higher placement. Neither player is considered a “sexy” pick for the claret jug, but their past major performances keep them relevant in early betting markets.

Earlier in the week, DraftKings released the opening 2026 Open Championship odds, giving readers a snapshot of who the bookies think could contend. The list highlights a mix of proven winners and dark horses, with Xander Schauffele leading the pack at +2100, followed by Robert MacIntyre at +4200 and Bryson DeChambeau sitting at +4300.

Top Contenders and Their Futures

• Xander Schauffele – +2100
• Robert MacIntyre – +4200
• Bryson DeChambeau – +4300

What the Early Numbers Reveal

The odds show that Brooks Koepka opened tied for the 19th lowest price with Alex Fitzpatrick, a pairing that seems odd given Koepka’s five major titles and a recent T‑6 at this very venue. Fitzpatrick’s home‑court advantage in the U.K. and strong 2026 form have kept him competitive, while Koepka’s future markets remained flat despite the early hype.

Wyndham Clark’s path to the Open has taken a steep dive; he was +12500 earlier in the year and now sits near +10000 after a T‑5 at the Travelers. The author cautions that recent results, while impressive, do not erase the lingering questions from his Shinnecock final round, making a quick leap to back‑to‑back majors a tall order.

Bryson DeChambeau’s odds have slipped from +2800 earlier in the week to +4300 now, placing him just above Justin Rose and Viktor Hovland. This mirrors his drop at Shinnecock, where bookies had initially listed him as the third favorite behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

The narrative around the majors continues to evolve as Scottie Scheffler seeks a repeat victory after missing his first cut in four years at the Scottish Open. The early odds suggest a tight field, but the real story will be how players adapt to Royal Birkdale’s unpredictable seaside conditions next week. Fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see if any of the current favorites can translate their numbers into a championship‑winning round.