Brooks Koepka is betting on history at Royal Birkdale. The five-time major winner opened at +5200 odds for the 2026 Open Championship, set for July 16-19, according to DraftKings odds released July 11. Koepka finished T-6 the last time the Open was held at this historic links course in 2017. That result gives him a clear edge over many in the field.

What happened at Royal Birkdale in 2017?

Koepka carded rounds of 69-71-70-69 in 2017, ending at 1-under par. He finished six shots behind winner Jordan Spieth. That T-6 remains one of Koepka's best Open performances. He has not cracked the top 10 in any Open since.

How does Koepka stack up for 2026?

Koepka sits tied for 19th in the betting market at +5200, alongside Joaquin Niemann. Scottie Scheffler leads at +590, followed by Rory McIlroy at +750. Bryson DeChambeau, Koepka's former LIV Golf rival, is at +4300. Koepka has outperformed DeChambeau in majors this season, with a T-12 at the Masters in April and a missed cut at the U.S. Open in June at Shinnecock Hills.

Why Royal Birkdale matters for Koepka

Koepka's game suits links golf. He hits long, low draws that run out on firm fairways. His T-6 in 2017 proved he can handle the wind and the tricky bounces. But his 2026 form is mixed. The missed cut at Shinnecock stung. Still, Koepka has a habit of flipping a switch in majors. He owns five of them. No one in the field outside Scheffler and McIlroy has that kind of hardware.

What are the early betting takeaways?

Oddsmakers initially listed Koepka even with Alex Fitzpatrick at +5200. Fitzpatrick, a Brit playing on home soil, has been the better golfer in 2026. But early bettors have pushed Fitzpatrick's odds into triple digits. Koepka's line stayed flat. That suggests sharp money sees value in the five-time major winner. Wyndham Clark, the U.S. Open champion, dropped from +12500 to +4200 after his win. DeChambeau fell from +2800 to +4300 as bettors cooled on him.

What comes next for Koepka?

Koepka tees it up at Royal Birkdale next week. He needs to make the cut first — something he failed to do at Shinnecock. If he does, his history on the course and his major pedigree make him a live longshot. The claret jug is within reach. But he'll have to beat Scheffler, McIlroy, and a deep field to get it.

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