British Open 2025: South Africa’s biggest contenders
The British Open starts on Thursday July 17 and will finish on the Sunday. With over R300million up for grabs the world’s best golfers will flock to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Our golf betting expert has cast his eye over the South African players at the Open and given you free tips below.
South Africa has a proud history in major championship golf but it has been 13 long years since a male player from the Rainbow Nation has held aloft the trophy at one of the big four tournaments.
The most recent South African men’s major winner, of course, was the great Ernie Els, who won his second Open and fourth major overall, at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012, 10 years after his first Open success at Muirfield in Scotland. Els, 55, has withdrawn from the 153rd Open Championship as it returns this week to the iconic Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, a venue that promises a true links golf challenge.
But that leaves 11 South African players in the field to try to add to a remarkable record in which four players – Bobby Locke (1949, 1950, 1952, 1957), Gary Player (1959, 1968, 1974), Els (2002, 2012), and Louis Oosthuizen (2010) – have shared 10 Claret Jugs between them.
While the sweet-swinging Oosthuizen cannot be ruled out in an event on an Open course, bookmakers believe the emerging Thriston Lawrence is the best of the South African hopes this year.
Lawrence finished fourth in the 2024 Open, just three shots behind the winner Xander Schauffele, and he also played impressively for 12th in the recent United States Open.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is the outright favourite heading into the tournament, but here we run the rule over the 11 South African players in the field at Royal Portrush and give a guide as to their chances.
South African players in the Open this week
- Thriston Lawrence
Early odds: $101. World ranking: 80.
What World Gambling List says: This guys is making steady progress and has experience in Europe with four wins on that tour, though two of those came in co-sanctioned events in South Africa. He’s started to show up in majors and his consistent play and ability to perform well in varying conditions make him a safe bet if you want to back him for leading South African for the week. - Louis Oosthuizen
Early odds: $126. World ranking: 395.
What WGL says: In 2021 Oosthuizen was probably the overall best player in the majors for the season, finishing second at the PGA Championship and US Open and tied third in the Open. He joined LIV golf in 2022 and has not been a factor in majors since. He’s still only 42 and the Open is definitely the major that gives him the best chance of bouncing back to his best. But we are not sure he is hardened enough with tournament play. - Dean Burmester
Early odds: $126. World ranking: 221.
What WGL says: Another who plies his trade on the LIV tour. Burmester finished tied for 11th in the 2022 Open at St Andrews and definitely has the ability to contend but he’s hard to line up with his inconsistent form on the LIV tour this season. - Aldrich Potgieter
Early odds: $151. World ranking: 53.
What WGL says: We hope this guy shows up this week as he is something else to watch. Potgieter leads the driving distances on the PGA Tour this season with an average of 328.2 yards, six yards clear of second-placed Rory McIlroy! And Potgieter is 20 years of age. His clubhead speed is off the charts. He may not be ready to win on the biggest stage yet, but he is coming fast. - Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Early odds: $176. World ranking: 68.
What WGL says: Bezuidenhout is a good, solid performer but his record in the majors makes us think he is unlikely to contend come Sunday. Has made 12 cuts in 19 major appearances and his best finish is tied 12th this year at the US Open. An exceptional putter and could get hot but we won’t be on him this week. - Shaun Norris
Early odds: $501. World ranking: 103.
What WGL says: A grizzled pro who is an eight-time winner on the Japanese tour. His best major results are tied 61 at The Open Championship in 2018 and a tied 71 at the PGA Championship in 2022, though had a big win at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December 2024. Would be a surprise if in the top 20 but could make the cut. - Justin Walters
Early odds: $501. World ranking: 689.
What WGL says: Nuggety customer who is playing in a rare major golf tournament at the age of 44. Has not won a tournament since the Swazi Open in 2011 and would be a surprise if he makes the cut this time around. - Daniel van Tonder
Early odds: $501. World ranking: 181.
What WGL says: Has his wife Abigail on the bag which is a worry as we play golf to get some space from our better half. Van Tonder is a prolific winner on the Sunshine Tour but looks out of his depth on the biggest stage of all this time. - Darren Fichardt
Early odds: $1001. World ranking: 513.
What WGL says: The 50-year-old has been a tour player for a long time, but has made the cut only once in seven previous Open appearances, finishing 80th last year. We won’t be taking the healthy odds. - Dylan Naidoo
Early odds: $1001. World ranking: 283.
What WGL says: This pocket rocket won his place in the field with his victory at the 2025 South African Open in Durban. He’s a been a pro since 2019 and his best golf is probably in front of him but the tough conditions here will put his game to the ultimate test. - Bryan Newman (a)
Early odds: $1001. World ranking: 4676.
What WGL says: Newman is just 17 and won the Africa Amateur Championship in February. He’s obviously big on talent and will be an interesting watch. Amateurs have often done well at this event, and we wish the young fellow all the best. Who could forget Justin Rose going so close to victory as an amatuer all those years ago.
British Open tips for 2025
Our resident golf expert gives their best bets for the tournament starting in Northern Ireland on July 17, 2005.
Thriston Lawrence to be leading South African player at $5.25
We see Lawrence as the steadiest of the contingent and also one who is now comfortable duking it out with the best players in the world. He is on an upward trajectory and could easily sneak into the top 10. He is paying 5.25 at South African betting sites.
Corey Conners top 5 finish at around $20
The Canadian is among the best ball strikers on the planet and he looks as though he will be among the major contenders for the next few years. We think he can challenge this weekend, but they are tough to win. A juice price for a top-5 finish fits the bill here, as his putting can let him down in the crunch situations.
