British Open top South African player betting tips

Welcome to our betting tips and free analysis and of the South African chances at The Open played at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England, starting on Thursday, July 15, 2021.

South Africa has enjoyed a resurgence in world golf, with a host of young players shining on the major tours, and there are an incredible 12 South African players among the field of 156.

Of course, the hot favourite among that dozen to do best is a veteran, the sweet-swinging 2010 British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen, who has come so close a couple of times in majors this year.

Oosthuizen finished runner-up at the recent US Open behind Spaniard Jon Rahm, and has returned to the sort of form with which he dominated in 2010 at St Andrew’s, though he has had a hard time breaking through for another big win.

The Open generally and Royal St George’s in particular are difficult to predict at the best of times. The last time the Open was played at this course, the surprise winner was the popular veteran Darren Clarke. The weather forecast is a lot kinder this time around, but you can be sure the wind and deep rough will still take their toll.

South Africa has a proud history at the Open, with Bobby Locke winning four, Gary Player three, Ernie Els two, and Oosthuizen one.

Els, the most recent South African major winner way back in 2012, is competing here though it’s hard to know what to expect from the 51-year-old, who has not played in a major since finishing 32nd in The Open in 2019.

South African gamblers can bet legally on the The Open with the top South African betting sites.

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Odds for top  South African player at The Open

Here are the The Open odds for top South African player:

3.00 Louis Oosthuizen
5.50 Branden Grace
6.00 Christiaan Bezuidenhout
6.50 Garrick Higgo
12 Erik Van Rooyen
15 Dean Burmester
17 Justin Harding
26 Daniel van Tonder
29 Shaun Norris
34 Ernie Els
41 J.C Ritchie, Jaco Ahlers

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Preview of the South African chances at the British Open

Louis Oosthuizen (World ranking: 13. Best world ranking: 4 ) The young veteran has been in wonderful form at the majors this year, finishing 26th at the Masters, T2 at the PGA Championship and second, a shot behind Rahm, at the US Open. Add in his third-place finish at the 2020 US Open and you would have to think for any of his countrymen to beat him home they will need to be in the top handful of finishers. Though with that sort of recent form, Oosthuizen represents great value around $28 of winning the whole thing.

Branden Grace (World ranking: 62. Best world ranking: 10) Ended a long wait with a win in the Puerto Rico Open earlier this year. Has a best at the Open of T6 in 2017 and put the writing on the wall with a T7 at the US Open. If he has found his touch again after a couple of bleak years at the majors, Grace is a serious contender.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout (World ranking: 45. Best world ranking: 33) A rising star who knows how to win but is yet to make his mark on the biggest stage. His time will come.

Garrick Higgo (World ranking: 40. Best world ranking: 38) The 22-year-old lefty has already won three times on the European Tour and won this year on the US PGA Tour in the Palmetto Championship. He played in his first two majors earlier this year, finishing T64 at the PGA Championship before missing the cut at the US Open. Higgo will feel far more at home in Europe and we are happy to back him in as arguably the most gifted of the young South African stars..

Erik van Rooyen (World ranking: 96. Best world ranking: 40) The 30-year-old tends relishes tough courses and has finished in the top 20 in his only two starts at the Open. But his form has not been that good of late so we will be betting around him this time.

Dean Burmester (World ranking: 95. Best world ranking: 86) The Zimbabwe-born pro has eight professional wins but is playing in his first British Open. Dean Burmester is paying $15 with top South African bookmakers to be the leading player from that country.

Justin Harding (World ranking: 126. Best world ranking: 42 ) Has mostly plied his trade in South Africa but has played in two previous Opens, missing the cut in 2013 and then finishing T41 in 29. Is a rock-solid player but is at big odds to win this event, or even be the top South African.

Daniel van Tonder (World ranking: 87. Best world ranking: 72) The 30-year-old finished a respectable tied 44th at his first career major the PGA Championship earlier this year. Has been a regular winner in South Africa but is on the big stage now.

Shaun Norris (World ranking: 118. Best world ranking: 54) A globetrotter who counts five wins on the Japanese tour among his eight pro wins. Has not shown up in three previous British Opens.

Ernie Els (World ranking: 1247. Best world ranking: 1 ) The Big Easy needs no introduction as one of the greats of the game and a four-time major winner. He has collected two Auld Claret Jugs. He has not played a lot of golf but occasionally plies his trade on the senior tour. The Open has a habit of giving ageing superstars another run in the sun and Els will be among the most keenly watched players at this event.

J.C. Ritchie (World ranking: 233. Best world ranking: 111) Not tall but stocky and is a huge hitter, up among the longest on the major tours. A frequent winner in Africa. Played one previous major, the 2020 US Open, missing the cut.

Jaco Ahlers (World ranking: 243. Best world ranking: 139) Played his lone major back in 2009 at this event and missed the cut. Ahlers is a journeyman who has his share of wins in Africa.

Our tip for top South African at US Masters: Garrick Higgo at $6.50 with Hollywoodbets. Louis Oosthuizen clearly the one to beat but we would rather back him in the overall betting. Good punting.

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