The Open Championship 2016: Five each-way betting tips

Henrik Stenson @ 33/1 each-way

Because of the somewhat unique nature of links golf a solid record at this tournament, or at least some previous notable form, is pretty much a prerequisite when selecting players who measure up as a good betting fit. Having finished inside the top 3 on three separate occasions (2013, 2010 & 2008) Henrik Stenson fits this mould nicely. The Swede is yet to win a major tournament but is one of those players who has put himself right in contention on many occasions and perhaps just hasn’t had the rub of the green.

Not only does Stenson offer up some impressive past performances at The Open, the 40 year old also ticks several other boxes. He’s in pretty good form, a winner on the European Tour just three weeks ago, and is known as a player who is both long and accurate off the tee. A particularly useful combination when playing links golf. On top of this the Swede put in a credible performance last week to finish tied 13th in The Scottish Open – where a players’ exploits often serve as a good indication of how they will fare at this championship.

Overall Stenson has a good profile and at odds of 33/1 he looks a good each-way punt. And who knows maybe this will be the year he finally breaks his major duck, or maybe it won’t, but this is definitely a player with the credentials to go very well.

Graeme McDowell @ 90/1 each-way

Having finished inside the top 20 on two occasions, as well as finishing 5th in 2012, Graeme McDowell is another player who can boast a few decent showings at this tournament. McDowell, although not particularly big off the tee, is usually very accurate. And it really should be stressed that accuracy is, when playing in The Open, a golfer’s most powerful ally.

The Northern Irishman is another player who, having finished in a tie for 10th place, played well in Scotland last week. While this doesn’t guarantee a good performance here it certainly leaves him better placed than many, as well as a tad overpriced at 90/1.

Andy Sullivan @ 90/1 each-way

Andy Sullivan – currently rank 10 in the ‘Race To Dubai’ rankings – is a player who’s quietly going about his business this season and is steadily becoming one of the European Tour’s most impressive performers. Over the last 6-7 months the 29 year-old has held his form really well, posting several top 20 finishes, as well as finishing inside the top 5 on two occasions. Sullivan’s good form culminated in a 6th place finish in the Scottish Open last week and the Englishman really does seem to be coming to the boil at the right time.

The one thing Sullivan doesn’t offer, at least in comparison with the first two selections, is any majorly attractive form in previous Open Championships, although he has only played in one! Last year’s renewal is the only time (before now) that the man from Nuneaton has managed to qualify. And ending the week in 30th place wasn’t a bad beginning to his Open story. He played some good links golf throughout the four rounds to finish at -6, which has certainly given him something to build on this year.

It’s hard to ignore a man who’s in decent form and, at a rather generous 90/1, Andy Sullivan is well worth a punt.

Marc Leishman @ 100/1 each-way

Australian Marc Leishman is a player who has slowly but surely come to grips with links golf and is yet another player whose price-tag could start to look like a bit of a gift if things go his way during the first day or two. Having failed to fire in his first three Open Championships Leishman was able to take a step forward when finishing 5th in 2014, before showing further progression when finishing 2nd last year – losing out to Zach Johnson in a play-off.

The bar has been set pretty high here as the only way to progress further would be to win, but it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if this was to happen. 100/1 about a player who has shown himself to be a formidable opponent in each of the last two renewals is too good to miss.

Richie Ramsay @ 300/1 each-way

Admittedly this is more of a punt than any of the previous selections and, as a price of 300/1 suggests, Ramsay has a fair bit less going for him in terms of standout credentials. Having played at The Open five times Ramsay has only made the cut twice (2013 and 2015). Last year he finished in a tie for 68th place at -1. However, in contrast to this time last year the Scot looks to have hit form at the right moment. At this point last year he’d finished the Scottish Open in 104th place, fast forward 12 months and he’s coming off the back of a tie for 6th place, finishing just three shots off the lead.

The fact that this tournament comes on home soil for the Scotsman is a big plus and if he can use this to his advantage, coupled with building on his impressive performance last week, then the 33 year-old might just be able to surprise a few and outplay his gigantic odds.

If you believe in the old saying of “fortune favours the brave” then get a few pennies each-way on Richie Ramsay at a huge 300/1!