St Andrews Awaits the Favorite
The golf world turns its eyes to Scotland this week as the DP World Tour kicks off a marquee event. Matt Fitzpatrick is the man to watch. He arrives fresh off a dominant performance at Le Golf National. That victory secured his spot at the top of the betting board. Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook has installed him as the clear favorite. He carries a +850 price tag into the competition. This isn’t just another tournament stop. It is a chance to build momentum on home soil. The field is stacked with past winners and consistent performers. But the narrative centers on one player looking to make history. The Old Course at St Andrews will host the final round. It sets the stage for a dramatic finish.
Form and History Collide
Fitzpatrick’s path to victory looks steep but promising. He just won the FedEx Open de France with a score of 20-under. That win marked his 15th professional title and his 11th on the European tour. The momentum is undeniable. He has proven he can win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship before. In 2023, he secured the individual title along with the team competition. He played alongside his mother, Susan, for that team victory. Tommy Fleetwood sits next on the odds board at +1100. He has finished runner-up twice and placed third once at this event. His consistency here is remarkable with seven top-10 finishes recorded. Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre share the next-shortest odds at +1400. MacIntyre enters as the defending champion. He won the weather-shortened 2025 edition at 18-under. High winds forced the tournament to 54 holes last year. Finishing four strokes ahead of Hatton, MacIntyre posted a 66 at the Old Course. Hatton holds the strongest track record in the event’s history. A third victory was added in 2024 after consecutive titles were won in 2016 and 2017.
The St Andrews Factor
The unique format of this event changes the game for everyone. Players rotate between three famous courses for the first three rounds. The Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, and Kingsbarns Golf Links all come into play. Then the final round returns to St Andrews. This rotation tests versatility like few other events do. A player might struggle on the links of Carnoustie one day and shine at Kingsbarns the next. Fitzpatrick knows this terrain well. His 2023 win proved he can handle the pressure of the Old Course. Fleetwood’s history suggests he thrives in these conditions despite never taking the individual trophy. The betting odds reflect the tight competition. No single player has a massive lead over the pack. The weather remains a wild card. High winds reduced last year’s field to a sprint. If the conditions turn tricky, experience will matter more than raw power. MacIntyre’s recent success shows that local knowledge pays off. Hatton’s three wins prove he masters the links better than almost anyone. The field is deep, but the favorites stand out.
Final Round on the Old Course
Starting Thursday, October 1, the tournament concludes on Sunday, October 4. Fans can expect a grueling four days of competition across three distinct layouts. The final round at St Andrews will determine the champion. Hard Rock Bet has set the stage with clear odds for the contenders. Fitzpatrick leads the way, but the challenge is far from easy. The history of this event favors those who can adapt quickly. As the tour returns to Scotland, the focus remains on who can close it out on Sunday.
