How to Bet the Open
The Open rewards a different read from the other majors. Form on soft American parkland courses does not always carry to firm, windswept links, so handicapping starts with player type and conditions. This guide covers the three levers that matter most at the Open: links form, the weather, and the tee-time draw. For the mechanics of the markets themselves, pair it with our Open odds and markets guide. All bets are fixed-odds in rand and settle once the result is official.
Links form and the weather factor
Links golf is its own discipline: firm, bouncing turf, run-out fairways and the need to flight the ball low under the wind. Players with a strong wind game, a creative short game and the patience to accept bad bounces tend to perform regardless of their world ranking. Weather is a genuine betting factor here in a way it rarely is elsewhere. A forecast of heavy wind or rain can favour grinders over bombers and reshape the whole market, so it is worth checking conditions before you stake rather than relying on season-long form alone.
The draw and the tee-time wave
Over the first two rounds the field is split into early and late tee-time waves. If the weather turns through the day, one wave can play in calm conditions while the other is caught in wind and rain, effectively handing half the field an easier side of the course. This draw bias is one of the few near-systematic edges at the Open. In-play betting lets you react as the draw plays out and conditions shift; see in-play betting for how live markets work. For the basics across all events, start with how to bet on golf.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the weather matter so much at the Open?
Links courses are exposed and play firm and fast, so wind and rain have an outsized effect on scoring. Tough conditions tend to favour players with a strong wind game and short game over long hitters, which can shift the whole market. Checking the forecast is part of handicapping the Open.
What is the draw and why does it affect betting?
Over the first two rounds the field is split into early and late tee-time waves. If the weather changes during the day, one wave can get far easier conditions than the other, effectively giving half the field an advantage. That draw bias can be worth factoring into both outright and matchup bets.