Open Championship 2024 Odds, Picks, and Predictions Ahead of Round 2: Bryson Bounces Back

Daniel Brown holds the solo lead after an opening-round 65. However, the latest British Open odds still have him well down the board. 

Despite a couple of low scores at the top of the leaderboard, the Old Course at Royal Troon gave this field a difficult test in the opening round. Now, we turn our attention to Friday's Round 2. 

Below, I break down the action and give you my favorite British Open picks.

Best 2024 Open Championship Round 2 picks

Corey Conners Top 20 (+110)

Corey Conners is already inside this number at T18 following his even-par performance on Thursday. So, can he keep it going?

I believe so. His putter really let him down in the first round and it's unlikely he remains as cold on the greens in consecutive rounds. Every other part of the Canadian's game was fantastic. He ranks 18th among the field in strokes gained approach and total strokes gained.

Conners also entered this week in great form, making the weekend in 26 consecutive tournaments with 12 Top-20 finishes over that stretch. One of those performances included his T9 finish at the U.S. Open, proving he can finish at major championships that are contested on difficult golf courses.

Pinehurst No. 2 played extremely difficult that week, and Royal Troon is doing more of the same.

Pick: Corey Conners Top 20 (+110 at DraftKings)

Rasmus Hojgaard Top 20 (+550)

A more adventurous play in this Top-20 market is Rasmus Hojgaard. He sits at T69 following Thursday’s 3-over round, but I think that a more promising couple of days are in store for the 23-year-old.

He ranks 46th in the field in strokes gained approach, which is the most important metric to keep an eye on this week. The front nine at Royal Troon plays alongside a windy shoreline while the back nine features an abundance of difficult gorse bushes, wispy rough, and bunkers to navigate.

Subsequently, the name of the game this week is ball-striking. Hojgaard was striking the ball well today and just didn’t convert on his chances, but the opportunities have been there. If a few more shots go his way, the score will improve. 

While the level of competition has been far different, it's still worth noting that he boasts 10 Top-20 finishes over his past 18 tournaments.

Pick: Rasmus Hojgaard Top 20 (+550 at DraftKings)

Bryson DeChambeau over Rory McIlroy in Round 2 (+120)

I'm genuinely surprised that this play is paying out +120. First, in the current state of their golf games, I rate Bryson DeChambeau as a better player than Rory McIlroy. The former took down Rory at the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and Masters this season, and I think continues in Scotland this weekend.

Even if you disagree, there's no denying Bryson played better of the two on Thursday. He's two shots lower at +5 while Rory is sitting at T129 following his 7-over performance in the opening round.

DeChambeau also outranked McIlroy in the opening round in strokes gained around the green, strokes gained off-the-tee, total strokes gained, greens in regulation percentage, and average driving distance.

Pick: Bryson DeChambeau over Rory McIlroy in Round 2 (+120 at DraftKings)

Latest 2024 Open Championship odds

• Scottie Scheffler: +400
• Shane Lowry: +500
• Xander Schauffele: +550
• Justin Thomas: +1,400
• Brooks Koepka: +1,600
• Alex Noren: +3,000
• Matt Fitzpatrick: +3,300
• Daniel Brown: +3,500
• Tony Finau: +3,500
• Russell Henley: +3,500
• Collin Morikawa: +3,500
• Adam Scott: +3,500
• Sepp Straka: +4,000
• Jordan Spieth: +4,000
• Justin Rose: +4,000

Odds courtesy of FanDuel.

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