Cameron Smith. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Is Cameron Smith the favorite to win The Open Championship?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 6/19/23

The U.S. Open may have just concluded, but you know what that means -- it's time to look ahead to the next major event and see who the favorites are.

Sure, The Open Championship is still over a month out and there is a lot of golf to be played before the pros descend on Royal Liverpool Golf Course. But it's never too early to figure out who you want to put your money on.

You may recall the turbulent nature of last year's Open when Cam Smith pulled ahead of Rory McIlroy in the final round to win the Claret Jug by one stroke. But is the Australian favored to repeat that success in 2023?

31 days until the @TheOpen #USOpen | @McIlroyRory pic.twitter.com/5XgGLchP9S
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 19, 2023

Smith, who finished fourth at the U.S. Open this past weekend, is actually an 18-1 long shot to repeat success at The Open according to the latest odds from DraftKings. There are four golfers listed better than him including McIlroy, who is currently the 15-2 favorite. The other notables are Jon Rahm (9-1), Scottie Scheffler (10-1) and PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka (14-1).

Last year's Open at St. Andrews surely isn't the only instance on McIlroy's mind when it comes to missing out on a major win by one stroke. The Irishman, who finished nine under par at Los Angeles Country Club last weekend, was the runner-up at the U.S. Open behind Denver native Wyndham Clark, who held on to finish at 10 under. It marked yet another instance where a fifth career major win slipped through McIlroy's fingers.

Meanwhile, fans can bet on Smith making things interesting at The Open regardless of his odds. Smith hasn't had as big of a profile this season since he defected to LIV Golf and is no longer getting the same coverage as he did while playing on the PGA Tour. But the greater golf world was reminded over the weekend of how dangerous he can be on the green as he putted his way to a solo fourth-place finish at LACC.