Rory McIlroy watches his shot from the sixth tee during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Rory McIlroy betting favorite heading into Open Championship

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/11/22

The 150th Open Championship is taking over St. Andrews in Scotland, and even though the pros don't tee off until later this week, the sportsbooks are already picking their favorites to win the tournament. And, from the looks of things on Monday, Rory McIlroy is the overwhelming favorite to lift the Claret Jug this year.

Odds have settled a bit for The Open Championship. Who ya got to take down the final major of the year? pic.twitter.com/yCophp7PGa
— Chris Murphy (@CS_Murph) July 11, 2022

The Irishman far and away leads the Open Championship odds as the 9-1 favorite, with Xander Schauffele coming in at 12-1 and Jon Rahm listed at 14-1. World-ranked No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who has won four events this season and set the single-season record for most money earned, is listed at 16-1 odds.

McIlroy tied for third in the 2010 Open Championship, which was also held at the Old Course. He missed the last time the event was played there, in 2015, because of a soccer injury. This event feels a bit different, though, given that he enters the field with two major wins under his belt and three straight top-10 finishes.

"For me, [this Open Championship] feels more consequential because I've played really well the first three majors," McIlroy told CBS Sports. "I got off to a great start at Southern Hills, couldn't really keep it rolling. I had a decent chance at the U.S. Open as well. I finished second at Augusta, but I felt like I never had a chance that week. I've had three really strong finishes in the majors without getting over the line. I think, for me, that's why it feels more consequential. I'm going in knowing that I'm playing good golf, so it's another really good chance for me to break this drought I've been on for quite a while."

The 150th Open Championship at St. Andrew's tees off on Thursday.

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