Pro golfers aren’t the only ones who could make a ton of bucks off of the 2017 British Open. Bettors, who’ll nail their futures bets are also going to rake in money. Of course, there’ll be plenty riding on the likes of Dustin Johnson (+1,200) and Jordan Spieth (+1,000), but these players could bomb out, paving the way for probably a sleeper to win the event. Below are three sleepers you should be keeping an eye on.
Lowry missed the cut in last year’s British Open, though that was in a different location, the Royal Troon Golf Club and not at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Lowry could be a little bit undervalued heading into the 2017 British Open after a T46 at the U.S. Open, the last competition he’s been in. It also doesn’t help him that he’s winless in 12 starts this season. But avid golf fans know better than to underestimate the Irish, who is a proven competitor in big events. Lowry has found himself in the past inside the top 10 of the U.S. Open (T2 last year) and of the British Open (T9 in 2014). Not many casual bettors know that, making Lowry a tasty sleeper to take flier on.
Wood has faltered on the golf course of late, having missed the cut last week at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and had a withdrawal at a prior tournament. No wonder he’s +6,000 to suddenly come out of nowhere to win the Claret Jug this week. But the British Open is still where Wood came the closest of winning a major. Back in 2008, when Wood was still an amateur, he had a T5 at Birkdale, the same location for this year’s British Open. The following year, Wood once again grazed at the chance with a T3.
Speaking of 2008, that was also the same year when Poulter finished second to Padraig Harrington at the British Open. Will he bring the same magic at Birksdale this time around? That remains to be seen but he’s getting a little bit momentum of late with a T2 at The PLAYERS Championship last May and a T11 at the RBC Heritage back in April. He’s having quite a success on his putting too this season, as Poulter is sixth overall in the Tour in shots gained: approach the green and second in shots gained: around the green. On top of those, he’s also 11th in shots gained: tee-to-green.
