- Five players share the lead at -4 after Thursday’s opening round at Royal Portrush
- Scottie Scheffler sits one shot back despite hitting just three fairways
- Keep reading for British Open leaderboard, updated odds, and Round 2 predictions
Royal Portrush showed its teeth Thursday. Five players share the lead at 4-under on a packed leaderboard, including Matt Fitzpatrick and Harris English. Scottie Scheffler? He shot 68 while hitting just three fairways and sits one back.
The second round tees off Friday morning with rain and wind in the forecast. Yesterday’s scoring average swung wildly between morning (+2.6) and afternoon (+1.4) waves. If that trend continues, the odds could shift fast.
Let’s dive into the current leaderboard, updated odds, and my best bets for Round 2 and beyond.
British Open Leaderboard 2025
British Open Second Round Betting Odds
The betting market has adjusted after Thursday’s wild opening round. Notable shifts include Rory McIlroy moving from +750 pre-tournament to +800 to win despite shooting under par, while Scheffler tightened from +450 to +210 after his impressive scrambling display.
The British Open odds tell a clear story. Scheffler’s +360 to lead after Friday looks generous considering he gained over 4 strokes on approach despite playing from everywhere except the fairway. His win odds tightened from +450 to +210, showing the books’ respect for his grind.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick exploded from +5500 to +1100 after posting his best major championship opening round ever, better than his U.S. Open victory, and sits at just +600 to hold the lead through 36 holes.
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Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of 7:00 PM ET on July 17, 2025. Browse the top US betting sites for the British Open.
The biggest mover? McIlroy, who barely budged from +750 to +800 despite hitting just two fairways (tying his career-worst in a major) and scrambling his way to a 70. His +2200 to lead after Friday suggests the books don’t trust his scrambling to continue.
Tyrrell Hatton improved from +3000 to +1200 after his solid 68, while value disappeared on players like Bryson DeChambeau (from +2200 to nowhere after shooting 78) and Viktor Hovland (+3000 to +12000).
British Open Predictions for Round 2 and Beyond
Friday’s second round will separate contenders from pretenders, and weather will play a huge role. The morning wave averaged over +2.6 on Thursday while afternoon players got a slight break at +1.4. If that pattern continues, early starters could be in trouble.
Scheffler remains the man to beat. When asked about his favorite shot Thursday, he said he didn’t have one while sitting at 3-under. If he finds even half the fairways Friday, this tournament could be over early. His +360 to lead after Round 2 won’t last past his first birdie.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opens in 3-under 68 @TheOpen at Royal Portrush.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 17, 2025
He's one off the early lead, eyeing the third leg of the career Grand Slam this weekend. pic.twitter.com/zWoXt3O2aA
Among the co-leaders, Fitzpatrick has the best chance to stick around. He ranked second in strokes gained tee-to-green and has major championship DNA. English played a mentally exhausting six-hour round while scrambling for a caddie all week, that’s tough to sustain for 72 holes.
Don’t sleep on Tyrrell Hatton at +1200. The Englishman was visibly frustrated despite shooting 68, making multiple 10-footers for par while looking ready to snap a club. But that controlled anger has served him well lately. He loves links golf and bad weather, both in his favor this week.
The Open Best Bets:
- Scottie Scheffler to Lead After Round 2 (+360)
- Matt Fitzpatrick to Lead After Round 2 (+600)
- Tyrrell Hatton to Win (+1200)
British Open Longshot Picks Round 2
Jon Rahm (+1100) quietly gained strokes across the board Thursday. The Spaniard has been in contention at both Augusta and Pinehurst this year. When motivated, he’s as dangerous as anyone not named Scottie. At 11-1 to win outright, there’s value before he makes his move Friday.
Jon Rahm is LIVID
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 17, 2025#TheOpen
"Really? Whistling? Great time. Right in my backswing. Very smart…whoever it was."”
pic.twitter.com/qsGCmDvKKy
Sam Burns at +7000 to lead after Friday is intriguing. He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder after losing the lead at the U.S. Open due to a controversial ruling. Burns was hot in June and showed Thursday that he can handle tough conditions.
Robert MacIntyre knows links golf as well as anyone. The Scot mentioned earlier this week that he understands what to avoid at Portrush. At +12000 to lead after Round 2, he’s worth a small play if he can get something going early.
The Open Value Picks Round 2:
- Jon Rahm to Win (+1100)
- Sam Burns to Lead After Round 2 (+7000)
- Robert MacIntyre to Lead After Round 2 (+12000)
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British Open Weekend Outlook
This won’t be a birdie-fest. The winning score projects around -8 to -10, requiring patience and scrambling ability. Players more than one-over after Thursday face an uphill battle; history shows the cut line typically falls right around +2 at Royal Portrush.
Several big names are already in trouble. Viktor Hovland (+2) couldn’t putt, Tommy Fleetwood (+2) couldn’t find fairways, and Bryson DeChambeau (+7) posted just the second birdie-free round of his major career. His power game was completely neutralized by Portrush’s narrow fairways.
The forecast shows more wind and rain Friday afternoon, giving the morning wave a potential advantage. Watch for scores to balloon as conditions worsen throughout the day. By Friday evening, we’ll have a clearer picture of who can actually win this thing, and history says at least half the current leaders will fade.
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