Remember that deep dive from RyTheSportsGuru on the Open? That hard-hitting, insider take (read it here)? Well, consider this your personal MaxT upgrade: less polite, more broke, and betting with reckless optimism.
The Grind Begins at 1:35 AM ET Tomorrow
Well, actually, the grind for me started when the tee times were released, but I guess the athletes’ grind starts early tomorrow morning. Royal Portrush demands early wakeups—and early heart attacks. Over the next four days, I’ll be surviving on Bloody Marys, lots of Celsius, and a dangerously optimistic (low) bankroll, just hoping one of these longshots puts me in contention come Sunday.
I cannot express how badly I want to have someone in contention come Sunday. I want it more than a farmer in Wadi Halfa (look it up) wants rain. I’ve romanticized the idea of waking up to see my +10000 winner teeing off in the final pairing with a Bloody Mary to my left, the glorious bet slip to my right, and my girl’s voice in my ear shouting, ‘If you miss brunch with my parents again, I am moving back to Oslo.’ Yeah, my girlfriend is Scandinavian and a smoke. I’ll just ask her if she wants a Cartier bracelet or necklace when I win in 8 hours.
That is The Open energy.
Outright Winner Bets (0.25 Units Each)
- Ludvig Aberg (+2800)
– Fresh off a solid showing at The Scottish Open, Aberg is a young European with serious links skills, and I have loved his game since he got on tour - Tommy Fleetwood (+2600)
– Still hunting his first major, but runner-up here in 2019 and racking up wins without a trophy ($31 million+ in career prize money). He’s consistent. He’s due. He better have shaken off that performance a couple of weeks ago - Rory McIlroy (+700)
– Local hero, fresh Masters winner, and runner-up last week at Scottish Open, what a story this could be
Super-Longshot Winners (0.1 Units Each)
- Ben Griffin (+9000) – Tools to hang in links, deep sleeper, has a few wins and top 10s in recent majors
- Ryan Fox (+10000) – Two-time PGA Tour winner since May this year, been solid recently, tough Scottish Open
- Harris English (+11000) – Came out strong at the Masters (T12), has a win and been looking strong recently
Top 10 Finishers (0.5 Units)
- Xander Schauffele (+220) – Defending champ of the Open. Dude knows how to get it down in any condition
- Tommy Fleetwood (+210) – This time I’m doubling down; fine form, Portrush history. Legend. Come on Tommy!!
Top 20 Finishers (0.5 Units)
- Justin Thomas (+160) – Keeper with firepower, knows how to handle major mornings.
- Marco Penge (+300) – Big odds, solid recent play (T33 at PGA, T2 last weekend)
- Sepp Straka (+150) – Consistent, gritty, and loves links environment.
USA Top Finisher (0.75 Units)
- Scottie Scheffler (+210) – World No. 1, nearly unbeatable when healthy. Gotta ride home somehow, pause.
Why I’m All Over Fleetwood
Tommy’s $31 million in earnings and 42 top-10s without a win? That’s a hungry, borderline cursed mindset. Runner-up at Portrush in 2019. This is his moment. I can feel it. I’ll be shouting his name like I’m there in person.
Yes, he choked pretty miserably at the Travelers a few weeks back, but he has been on the course since and got all of that bad juju out last weekend. He is gonna be ready. Tommy boy is a soldier! Come on, Tommy!!!
Reality Check
Yeah—it’s too many bets. I know that. My bank account is not looking hot, and my only shot at financial freedom (marriage) is dwindling. My girl’s threatening a prenup. Her folks might insist on it, unfortunately. But guess what?
I am who I am.
And Royal Portrush is where dreams—or shattered bank accounts—get decided.
Final Word
Golf starts at 1:35 AM ET tomorrow. I’ll be here, half-drunk, half-asleep, all in. Because this is what I live for: a perfect storm of longshots, storylines, heartbreak, and maybe glory before brunch on Sunday. Let’s ride!
– MaxT_Whale