150th Open: McIlroy Remains The Favorite and Three Tickets Punched

Three players secured their place at the 150th Open on Sunday in Illinois.

The year’s final major is right around the corner as the golfing world turns its attention towards the 150th Open at St. Andrews in under two weeks’ time.

Golf’s prestigious major last took place at St. Andrews during the playing of the 144th Open back in 2015.

2023 Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson triumphed over Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman after a historic Monday playoff. Now seven years later the Open returns to St. Andrews for a very special 150th edition.

Three players booked their ticket to Scotland as a result of their performance at this week’s 2022 John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

J.T. Poston, who led wire to wire en route to a 2nd career PGA Tour win on Sunday secured his place at St. Andrews.

“I can’t wait. I’ve always wanted to play in one of those at any venue, but first one to be in St. Andrews and the 150th, I can’t wait to get there and see what it’s like,” Poston said following his win.

Poston will be joined in Scotland by runner-up Christiaan Bezuidenhout who recorded consecutive rounds of 66 over the weekend to secure his place.

“Yeah, I was pretty close with my world ranking going into this week. I knew the cut off was tomorrow so I needed a good solid week either qualifying through the Top 3 here or through my world ranking. So I’m pleased to have done that and pleased to have secured my spot there,” the South African stated following his round.

Argentine, Emiliano Grillo, also punched his ticket and was pleased with the ‘added bonus’ at the end of the week.

"“Yeah, I wouldn’t put The Open as Top 3 goals for this week, but it’s nice, it’s a bonus.I get to go home first, recharge the batteries, and then I’m heading to The Open Championship in St. Andrews. That’s very special. It’s Top 3 places to play golf in the world, and I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said."

Rory McIlroy is the favorite to win the 150th Open at St. Andrews

Rory McIlroy, the 2014 ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’, is the current oddsmakers’ favorite to lift the Claret Jug for a second time in just under two weeks’ time.

The Northern Irishman has been excellent in majors this year with finishes of 2nd, 5th, and 8th in the first three of golf’s biggest events.

Jon Rahm, Will Zalatoris, and world number one Scottie Scheffler all follow closely behind the four-time major champion.

Here are the top 10 favorites to win the 150th Open over on WynnBet.

• Rory McIlroy  +850
• Jon Rahm  +1100
• Will Zalatoris  +1100
• Scottie Scheffler  +1200
• Hideki Matsuyama  +1300
• Cameron Smith  +1300
• Justin Thomas  +1400
• Tony Finau  +1750
• Matt Fitzpatrick  +1750
• Collin Morikawa  +1750

What about Tiger Woods?

Tiger Woods, along with a handful of others have made the trip to Ireland to compete in this week’s J.P. McManus Pro-Am as preparations for the 150th Open continue.

Woods made his miraculous return to golf at the Masters in April before playing and withdrawing from the PGA Championship in May. He then elected to skip last month’s U.S. Open and instead turn his attention toward preparations for St. Andrews.

WynnBet currently have Tiger listed at +4000 to win at the Old Course. The 15-time major champion returns to the Old Course having previously won two of his three Open Championships there in both 2000 and 2005.

The 150th Open gets underway on Thursday, July 14th.