The excitement around the 2024 Open Championship is reaching its peak as we enter the weekend, and several storylines have captured the attention of golf enthusiasts worldwide. Notably, Scottie Scheffler, despite a shaky start, has shown resilience that has significantly improved his odds.
Scheffler found himself five shots back after Round 1, with odds placed at +380. However, his tenacity in Round 2 paid dividends, trimming his odds to +330 as he climbs the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Shane Lowry, already a celebrated figure for his triumph at the 2019 British Open, is currently holding a two-stroke advantage over Justin Rose and Daniel Brown. Lowry's commanding presence is even more impressive, considering he co-led after Round 2 of the 2019 British Open and went on to win it by a remarkable six strokes.
Justin Rose comes into the weekend with odds of +650. Although he's trailing Lowry, his chances cannot be dismissed. Daniel Brown, who dazzled with a leading performance in Round 1, holds longer odds at +2200, but his initial showing indicates he could still be a formidable contender.
Jon Rahm: Ready to Rally?
All eyes are also on Jon Rahm, one of the tournament's big names. Rahm's journey has been a roller-coaster, having started his first 26 holes with a discouraging 3-over-par. However, his determination shone through as he rallied with a 2-under-par score over his last 10 holes, signaling his refusal to bow out of the competition. Currently, eight strokes behind Lowry, Rahm's odds are set at +3500, making him an enticing bet for those daring enough to predict a dramatic comeback.
"It was just last year that Rahm entered the weekend of the British Open in 39th place and 12 strokes back of the lead only to close the gap and finish in second place," reflects SportsLine. There are plenty of encouraging indicators from Rahm's current play and his recent history. With his second-place finish in the previous British Open and a third-place finish in 2021, Rahm has demonstrated that he’s capable of making significant strides over the weekend. Add his victories, including the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters, and it is clear why Rahm is still a name to watch closely.
The Analytical Edge
Adding another dimension to this year's Open Championship is SportsLine's proprietary model, which has been a trusted source since June 2020, accruing nearly $9,000 on its best bets. The model, which has accurately predicted the outcomes of 13 majors, simulated the 2024 Open Championship 10,000 times, providing insights that could give bettors an analytical edge.
Despite Lowry's impressive track record, "this tournament has actually been where Lowry has struggled the most amongst the four majors," points out SportsLine. This caveat adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the betting scenarios as the competition progresses. Meanwhile, SportsLine's take on Rahm is somewhat optimistic, noting that "there are lots of encouraging signs with both Rahm's play so far and his recent history, so he shouldn't be overlooked with 2024 Open Championship weekend bets."
As the 2024 Open Championship advances into the much-anticipated weekend rounds, the mixture of established champions like Lowry, Rose, and Rahm, along with rising players such as Scheffler and Brown, promises a thrilling conclusion. The variables in play, from performance fluctuations and historical data to advanced analytical models, create a rich tapestry of potential outcomes sure to keep fans and bettors engrossed until the final hole.