We will all have our favourites at Birkdale but one thing you can guarantee is that somebody will merge from the pack. Somebody none of us had tipped will mount a challenge.
Here are 10 outsiders we believe might have a fighting chance of upsetting the odds
Eugenio Chacarra (150/1)
Playing in his first Open but has won twice on the DP World Tour this season. The Spaniard is a class act with a wonderful short game. Needs to harness his power though.
Casey Jarvis (225/1)
A back-to-back winner earlier in the year, the South African has continued to play some excellent golf. You can be certain that he will not be overawed by playing in his first Open.
Padraig Harrington (500/1)
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
The veteran Irishman has just won the US Senior Open again and remains one of our sport’s best ball strikers - and, trust me, he still believes he can win at this level.
Marco Penge (110/1)
The Englishman has suffered some well-documented issues in his debut season on the PGA Tour so it is good to see him back.
Mason Howell (1000/1)
Howell isn’t going to win but the 2025 US Amateur champion has a big future ahead of him and looks like a safe bet to finish the week as the leading amateur.
Stewart Cink (750/1)
Another veteran, another former Open winner and another who still hits the ball a long way and is not coming to Birkdale to make up the numbers.
Kristoffer Reitan (100/1)
I love the way this guy plays the game. He is utterly fearless and makes birdies for fun and if the weather is calm could rip Birkdale to shreds.
Andy Sullivan (400/1)
One thing the Englishman is not short of is confidence. Made a decent start to the DP World Tour season but has gone off the boil somewhat - this would be a good week to change that.
Matt Wallace (175/1)
I always get the sense with Wallace that he is an underachiever and somebody who should have won more than he has. Trying to juggle life on two tours surely hasn’t helped.
Bernd Wiesberger (300/1)
After years in the wilderness, the Austrian with the sweetest swing returned to the DP World Tour winners’ circle and has continued to play some really impressive golf.
Odds supplied by Betfred.
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