The DP World Tour season continues with a visit to the famed Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.
🏆 Irish Open 2024 odds
- Rory McIlroy 13/2
- Shane Lowry 22/1
- Aaron Rai 16/1
- Robert MacIntyre 18/1
- Bernd Wiesberger 25/1
- Rasmus Hojgaard 25/1
- Thriston Lawrence 28/1
- Ryan Fox 30/1
- Thomas Detry 33/1
- Seamus Power 33/1
Odds with bet365.
Irish Open 2024 Golf betting preview
There’s a real treat for golf fans in the UK over the next fortnight.
In two weeks’ time a star-studded field contest the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
But before that, attention turns to one of the greatest links courses of them all, Royal Country Down in Northern Ireland.
The views are spectacular at this beautiful setting but if the winds get up, the 7,186-yard par 71 can be a brute.
Thick rough, domed greens that run fast, blind shots and tricky bunkers all combine to make Royal County Down a severe challenge.
It was last used for the tournament in 2015 when Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen won a three-man play-off with Eddie Pepperell and Bernd Weisberger after the trio had finished at 2-under.
Just five players broke par in the wet and windy conditions and the forecast suggests it could get really gusty again.
Rory McIlroy is the clear favourite but he missed the cut here in 2015 after opening with an 80.
It was a similar scenario for the home hero in the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush so it’s hard to put full trust in the Northern Irishman even though he’ll be roared on by the local galleries and arrives after closing out the Tour Championship in Atlanta with a 66 to finish 12th.
⛳ Irish Open 2024 Golf betting tips
Robert MacIntyre can be links hero again
If good things happen in threes, Robert MacIntyre has one more big moment in him in what’s been a sensational year for the man from Oban.
With his Dad acting as temporary caddie, MacIntyre secured the first PGA Tour victory of his career by capturing June’s Canadian Open.
And it got even better a month later when he shot 63-67 on the weekend to secure an emotional win in his home Scottish Open.
The left-hander is a wonderful exponent of links golf, as he showed in Scotland recently and also when finishing sixth in the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush.
Add that to his burgeoning confidence and MacIntyre, who shot a final-round 64 in the Tour Championship, can add a third trophy of 2024.
🏌️♂️ Back the Scotsman at 18/1 (1/4, 5 places) with bet365. ⛳
Lowry to beat McIlroy in a match bet
The most intriguing 72-hole match bet this week has to be the one involving two Irishmen: Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
The two great friends teamed up to win the Zurich Classic pairs event on the PGA Tour earlier this season.
But there will be some personal pride over who comes out on top here and I’ll side with the underdog Lowry at 5/4 with bet365.
As mentioned, McIlroy crashed out of the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush after two rounds, an event that Lowry went on to win in joyous and unforgettable scenes.
Lowry also had the better of McIlroy in this year’s Open, finishing sixth as McIlroy missed the cut again.
🏌️♂️ Back Lowry to beat McIlroy in a match bet at 5/4 with bet365 ⛳
Ryan Fox to finish top 10
For a top 10 bet, try Ryan Fox at 3/1 with bet365.
The Kiwi is strong on the links and has an excellent record on Irish soil. He won’t mind any inclement weather either.
🏌️♂️ Bet Ryan Fox to finish top 10 at 3/1 with bet365 ⛳
📺 How to watch the Irish Open 2024
- Venue – Royal County Down GC, Co Down, Northern Ireland
- Date – Thursday 12th September – Sunday 15th September
- Broadcast – Full coverage on Sky Sports Golf: Thursday 1 pm – 6 pm, Friday 8 am – 11.30 am, Saturday and Sunday (coverage available on the red button).
About the author
Dave Tindall is a former golf editor at SkySports.com and Golf365.com and has been writing betting previews for the PGA Tour and European Tour since 1997. He has also written for a range of betting companies, including William Hill and Betfair, as well as being a regular columnist for Rotoworld, The Guardian, Sporting Life, and Planet Sport. His other area of specialty is football while he’s also covered cricket and tennis.
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