As the dust settles on recent tournaments and the golfing world looks ahead, anticipation builds for the sport`s most prestigious events: the major championships. These are the stages where legends are made, careers are defined, and, for some, wagers are placed. Examining the current betting odds provides a fascinating snapshot of who the market believes is poised for greatness in the coming year and beyond.
The landscape for the next four majors is dominated by two prominent figures: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Scheffler, already possessing multiple Masters titles and a PGA Championship, is notably favored across the board. His consistent form and proven ability to perform under pressure make him a logical choice for oddsmakers, if not always a guaranteed winner on the capricious fairways of professional golf. Hot on his heels is Rory McIlroy, who recently achieved a significant milestone by completing his career Grand Slam with a victory at the Masters. These two titans represent the top tier, but the beauty (and perhaps the frustration for favorites) of the majors lies in their unpredictable nature.
Beyond the leading duo, Bryson DeChambeau stands out as the only other player currently listed with odds shorter than 10-1 for any of the next four major championships, indicating a perceived gap between the top three and the rest of the field according to the betting markets. However, golf history is replete with examples of long shots seizing their moment, a fact that keeps fans (and those inclined to a punt) glued to the screen.
The Road Ahead: Four Major Stages
Let`s take a look at where these battles for supremacy are set to unfold and what the odds suggest for each specific challenge:
The 2025 Open Championship
The Open, golf`s oldest championship, returns to the formidable links of Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland from July 17th to 20th, 2025. The last time The Open visited Portrush was in 2019, when Shane Lowry delivered an emotional home victory. Xander Schauffele is the most recent Open Champion, having triumphed at Royal Troon in 2024. As players prepare to tackle the unique demands of links golf – the unpredictable bounces, the strategic bunkers, the ever-present wind – the odds currently place Scheffler as the slight favorite.
The 2026 Masters Tournament
April in Augusta is a pilgrimage for golf fans, and the 2026 Masters, scheduled for April 9th to 12th, will once again test the world`s best on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Rory McIlroy finally claimed the coveted Green Jacket in 2025, completing his career Grand Slam in dramatic fashion. The odds reflect his recent success and comfort level at this iconic venue, positioning him closely behind Scheffler for favoritism. Predicting the Masters is always a popular pastime, and the market`s view offers a starting point for debate.
The 2026 PGA Championship
The PGA Championship in 2026 will be held from May 14th to 17th at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. This historic course, dating back 129 years, hosted the PGA Championship once before in 1962, a tournament won by the legendary Gary Player. Scottie Scheffler will arrive at Aronimink as the defending champion, having won the event in 2025. The odds see him as the strongest candidate to lift the Wanamaker Trophy again on this classic parkland layout.
The 2026 U.S. Open
Known for its notoriously challenging setups, the U.S. Open in 2026 heads to the prestigious Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. The most recent U.S. Open held at Shinnecock was in 2018, a victory secured by Brooks Koepka, marking his second consecutive win in the championship. The 2025 U.S. Open title went to J.J. Spaun at Oakhurst, who is listed at 70-1 to repeat his success at Shinnecock. Shinnecock`s demanding test of precision and patience makes it a compelling venue, and the odds for this championship can often see shifts as the event approaches.
Futures Market Snapshot
For those interested in the longer-term view, here are the current betting futures for a selection of players across all four upcoming majors. Please note that odds are subject to change, often dramatically, based on recent performance, injuries, and countless other variables that make golf such a compelling and occasionally infuriating sport to predict.
| Golfer | The Open (2025) | Masters (2026) | PGA Champ. (2026) | U.S. Open (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +475 | +500 | +450 | +400 |
| Rory McIlroy | +500 | +600 | +550 | +750 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | 12-1 | 12-1 | +900 | +800 |
| Jon Rahm | 12-1 | 14-1 | 14-1 | 12-1 |
| Xander Schauffele | 16-1 | 14-1 | 20-1 | 20-1 |
| Ludvig Åberg | 16-1 | 14-1 | 22-1 | 20-1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 16-1 | 14-1 | 22-1 | 25-1 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 18-1 | 33-1 | 33-1 | 40-1 |
| Viktor Hovland | 22-1 | 28-1 | 33-1 | 28-1 |
| Shane Lowry | 22-1 | 40-1 | 50-1 | 40-1 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | 25-1 | 50-1 | 40-1 | 30-1 |
| Robert MacIntyre | 25-1 | 50-1 | 100-1 | 50-1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 33-1 | 28-1 | 40-1 | 40-1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 33-1 | 33-1 | 40-1 | 40-1 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 35-1 | 33-1 | 33-1 | 40-1 |
| Russell Henley | 35-1 | 66-1 | 66-1 | 50-1 |
| Justin Thomas | 40-1 | 20-1 | 18-1 | 30-1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 40-1 | 33-1 | 40-1 | 50-1 |
| Cameron Smith | 40-1 | 50-1 | 66-1 | 100-1 |
| Justin Rose | 40-1 | 50-1 | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Tony Finau | 40-1 | 66-1 | 66-1 | 70-1 |
| Tom Kim | 40-1 | 100-1 | 100-1 | — |
| Aaron Rai | 40-1 | 125-1 | 100-1 | 110-1 |
| Joaquín Niemann | 50-1 | 33-1 | 33-1 | 40-1 |
| Sahith Theegala | 50-1 | 80-1 | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 50-1 | 100-1 | 80-1 | 100-1 |
| Min Woo Lee | 66-1 | 50-1 | 80-1 | 70-1 |
| Sungjae Im | 66-1 | 66-1 | 66-1 | 100-1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 66-1 | 100-1 | 100-1 | 110-1 |
| Adam Scott | 66-1 | 100-1 | 125-1 | 70-1 |
| Daniel Berger | 66-1 | 125-1 | 60-1 | 100-1 |
| Sam Burns | 66-1 | 125-1 | 80-1 | 50-1 |
| Cameron Young | 66-1 | 125-1 | 80-1 | 70-1 |
| Sepp Straka | 70-1 | 66-1 | 50-1 | 40-1 |
| Corey Conners | 80-1 | 50-1 | 50-1 | 55-1 |
| Jason Day | 80-1 | 50-1 | 66-1 | 70-1 |
| Akshay Bhatia | 80-1 | 60-1 | 100-1 | 110-1 |
| Wyndham Clark | 80-1 | 80-1 | 80-1 | 100-1 |
| Max Homa | 80-1 | 80-1 | 80-1 | 110-1 |
| Keegan Bradley | 80-1 | 100-1 | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Billy Horschel | 80-1 | 125-1 | — | — |
| Brian Harman | 80-1 | 150-1 | 100-1 | 175-1 |
| Ryan Fox | 80-1 | — | 150-1 | 100-1 |
| Alex Noren | 80-1 | — | — | 100-1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 80-1 | — | — | — |
| Will Zalatoris | 100-1 | 50-1 | 80-1 | 70-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 100-1 | 80-1 | 150-1 | — |
| Byeong Hun An | 100-1 | 150-1 | 150-1 | 175-1 |
| Nicolai Højgaard | 100-1 | 150-1 | 200-1 | — |
| Si Woo Kim | 100-1 | — | 80-1 | 110-1 |
| Davis Thompson | 110-1 | 100-1 | 125-1 | — |
| Harris English | 125-1 | 150-1 | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Rasmus Højgaard | 125-1 | 150-1 | 150-1 | 150-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 125-1 | — | 150-1 | 110-1 |
| Dean Burmester | 125-1 | — | 150-1 | — |
| Nico Echavarria | 125-1 | — | — | — |
| Christiaan Bezuidenhout | 125-1 | — | — | — |
| Thriston Lawrence | 125-1 | — | — | — |
| Tom McKibbin | 150-1 | — | — | 200-1 |
| Matthieu Pavon | 150-1 | — | — | — |
| Victor Perez | 150-1 | — | — | — |
| Abraham Ancer | 150-1 | — | — | — |
| Maverick McNealy | 175-1 | 125-1 | 80-1 | 70-1 |
| Denny McCarthy | 200-1 | 150-1 | 100-1 | 150-1 |
| Tiger Woods | 200-1 | — | 200-1 | — |
| Tom Hoge | 200-1 | — | — | 200-1 |
| Matt Wallace | 200-1 | — | — | — |
| Matthew Jordan | 200-1 | — | — | — |
| Matteo Manassero | 200-1 | — | — | — |
| Thorbjørn Olesen | 250-1 | — | 200-1 | — |
While betting odds offer a quantitative measure of perceived likelihood, they are merely predictions based on form, course fit, past performance, and public sentiment. The inherent drama of golf`s major championships often stems from unexpected turns of events and the emergence of players who were not initially on everyone`s radar. Whether you follow the favorites or search for value lower down the list, the stage is set for another captivating series of major tournaments.
