Todd Hamilton in 2004 after winning the Open Championship.
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Todd Hamilton says people bet on him to win the Open Championship 20 years ago. He says he knows the number.
Five.
The anecdote comes courtesy of a GOLF.com article published in 2016, the last time Royal Troon hosted the Open before this week, and the people who brought Hamilton back were rewarded. He won, in a playoff against Ernie Els. But why didn’t others jump on board? Like maybe six people?
Another article published in 2016, this one by Golfweek’s Jim McCabe, you explain it well. Hamilton, McCabe wrote:
– He had 500-1 odds
– He was playing “bad,” according to his singer, Ron “Bambi” Levin. (McCabe wrote that another caddy told Levin they were going to bet Hamilton — to finish last.)
– He arrived on Tuesday and only played Troon on Wednesday
Before that week, Hamilton had only won once more on the PGA Tour, a victory that came in mid-March of that year, at the Honda Classic. But then he shot rounds of 71, 67, 67 and 67 and made four pars in the playoff, and Hamilton was the big winner.
And five people paid money.
Some can this year too, while betting underdogs when the latest Open starts on Thursday. There are, of course, a number of players with 500-1 or more.
Including Hamilton.
For that, our staff members opted for the long gun. Hope, of course, we help you with your weekly picks, whether that’s for a low-level office fantasy league, or (legally!) a big-money bet at a sportsbook.
Go to our selection.
2024 Open Championships sleep selection
Ryan Barath
Choosing to sleep: Nick Taylor, +35,000. I realize my colleagues will call this an easy pro-Canadian pick, but his stats line up well with golf links. He hits his irons well and has good strokes gained around and on the greens. It’s a links golf recipe for success, and with that in mind, I’m happy to call him in my sleep.
James Colgan
Choosing to sleep: Sahith Theegala, +6,600: It’s surprising that a young man who has been involved in several high-profile events in the last 12 months would be so low on the betting cards. Sure, his game gets a little topsy-turvy, usually not leading up to the Open, but he played one of his best rounds. a year Friday at Hoylake last year, and he played very well for the Scottish. I love him so much.
Dylan Dethier
Choosing to sleep: Matthew Jordan, +25,000. His T10 finish at Royal Liverpool last year was remarkable because he was a homeboy. But it also has a game built and maintained in sea links. If he places well, he could finish in the top 20 or higher.
Nick Dimengo
Choosing to sleep: Jason Day, +10,000. The former world No. 1 has had a fantastic year, finding himself in the T10 four times. With a runner-up finish at last year’s Open Championship (and a T22 at Royal Troon in 2016), something tells me Day may find himself lifting the Claret Jug at the end of this one.
Connor Federico
Choosing to sleep: Keegan Bradley, +17,500. The newly named US Ryder Cup captain told us this week that he wants to make the 2025 team as a player, but he won’t choose it himself. That means he’ll have to qualify for the team with points, and there’s no better place to earn them than in the big leagues. Can Bradley show the excitement of his big win announcement at Royal Troon? He’s still a Top 20 player in the world, and there aren’t many pros better at using emotion to drive success on the course.
Jack Hirsh
Choosing to sleep: Sahith Theegala, +6,600. I think he slept through all four courses. The only real shortcoming in his game is his play around the greens, but I think that links golf might be a little less given how different the short game is in the UK. Otherwise, his intelligence and shot making make for a good match for links golf.
How often favorites win tournaments (and when to bet)
Nick Piastowski
Zephyr Melton
Choosing to sleep: Mathieu Pavon, +10,000. It’s been a breakout year for the Frenchman, as he earned his first Tour win and qualified for the US Open. Back on European soil, he may have more magic to him.
Nick Piastowski
Choosing to sleep: Tom Hoge, +20,000. He is second this year on the PGA Tour is Strokes Gained: Approach. I like that.
Josh Sens
Choosing to sleep: Tom Hoge, +20,000. I love Nick’s thinking. Instrumental playing will be key.
Jonathan Wall
Choosing to sleep: Justin Rose, +10,000. According to Strokes Earned, no one has pitched better than Rose in the majors going back to back in 2019. His recent record on golf’s big stage – four missed cuts in five major starts – makes him a dubious choice. But I like that he qualified for this year’s Open and has a strong track record in the links-style setting.
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