The simplest one is to wager on the in-form golfers, a list led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy may get the nod over Scheffler in some circles this week because he's playing on home soil at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland is hosting The Open Championship for the third time and native son Rory McIlroy is a favorite.

The crowd, spirited but educated, understood what was unfolding before them: The Butcher of Hoylake had returned. That would be Brian Harman, the former Champion Golfer of the Year who has positioned himself to claim the title once again.

The sentimental angle is also in play with McIlroy because The Open is being played in his home country of Northern Ireland. Scheffler, McIlroy and Jon Rahm are considered the three favorites to win the Claret Jug, as they have been for most of the major-tournament season.

Check out the betting odds for the 2025 Open Championship, which begins on Thursday at Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

And if you're here, you're probably looking for some advice on picks. That's why it's time for our usual take for a major: one of these golfers WILL win the 2025 British Open. (OK fine, so J.J. Spaun wasn't on our list for the U.S. Open. Our apologies!)

SportsLine's golf model ran 10,000 simulations of the final two rounds of the British Open 2025 at Royal Portrush

Norwegian golf star Viktor Hovland is another player who has yet to win a major - but has had top ten finishes at all four, including a second place at the USPGA and a fourth spot at the 2022 Open. He's had one win on the European tour and seven on the PGA tour. He's priced at 30/1 to make his major breakthrough this week.