Fleetwood and Rose appealing to Open punters

Tommy Fleetwood continues to attract significant support for the Open Championship, the local lad being backed with all bookmakers to claim a maiden Major title at Birkdale on Sunday.

Fleetwood was a 200-1 Open rag at the start of the year, but the popular Southport man has since won twice on the European Tour and is no bigger than 25-1 to claim the Claret Jug as the third Major of the season approaches.

“Fleetwood has been heavily supported since his strong performance in the US Open,” said Coral spokesman John Hill. “He is our top liability, followed by Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose.”

Hills have been equally bowled over by Fleetwood backers, the gamble of the tournament seemingly unrelenting. Hills spokesman Rupert Adams said: “The Open is by far the biggest event on the golfing calendar. Fleetwood is our worst result at present, but we expect Rose and Fowler will overtake him before the off.”

Bet365's Steve Freeth reported: “At the top of the market, Fleetwood, Fowler and Jordan Spieth are causing us headaches, while the 40-something duo of Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington have had their admirers.”

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes is fearing a different Englishman and said: “Rose is our biggest loser as things stand – he has already been backed from 28-1 to 22-1 and that price likely to tumble further. Of the outsiders, we're hoping Francesco Molinari fluffs his lines as he's been well backed, including a £2,000 each-way wager at 125-1.”

The player bookmakers would be unanimous in welcoming into the winner's enclosure is Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut in the Irish Open and the Scottish Open and has been shunned by the punting community.

Hill said: “This is the first Open we can remember where McIlroy has been completely friendless in the betting.” And Apati added: “We're struggling to give him away.”

Freeth reported that McIlroy, who has drifted to 20-1 in the outright betting, has been backed by bet365 customers from 100-30 to 11-4 to miss the cut.