The Irish Open takes place at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg this week and the choice of venue instantly changes the betting landscape.
Rory McIlroy won last year’s event at The K Club and, as the tournament’s highest-ranked and most successful entrant, he has been installed as the 6/1 favourite to retain the title.
Jon Rahm is not far behind the Northern Irishman at 8/1 to claim his third Irish Open, having secured a commanding victory at Portstewart Golf Club in 2017 and orchestrated a superb final-round comeback at Lahinch Golf Club in 2019.
But it has been more than three years since McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, last won a links event, and even longer for Rahm, so several other players appeal more at bigger prices.
Irish Open Tips Summary
Best Bet – Jacob Olesen to win and each-way @ 40/1
Alternative Bet – Shane Lowry to win and each-way @ 22/1
Alternative Bet – Tournament Winning Margin: 2 Strokes or More @ 8/11
Irish Open Prediction
Best Bet: Jacob Olesen to win and each-way @ 40/1
McIlroy is the defending champion and the best player in the field, but his price is simply too short given the nature of the challenge this week.
Both of his Irish Open wins came at The K Club, while Doonbeg is a totally different type of examination as it sits in a rugged landscape exposed to the Atlantic Ocean.
The par-72 rewards wind management, low‑flight iron play, and patience, and that profile pushes the value away from the top of the market and towards proven links operators.
Both of Rahm’s previous wins on the Emerald Isle were true links tests, but the Spaniard failed to sparkle much at either The Open or the Scottish Open this summer, finishing T46 and T36 respectively.
One player who has been consistently putting himself in contention when the wind blows on the coast is Jacob Olesen.
The Dane carded a spectacular final-round 66 to jump up the leaderboard at the recent Nexo Championship on a layout with many similarities to Doonbeg.
He has finished inside the top 20 in his last four starts, including a tie for second place at the British Masters a couple of weekends ago.
Olesen turned professional shortly after winning the 2024 Amateur Championship at the Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin GC in Ireland.
He is also remembered for recording 18 consecutive pars at Royal Troon during the second round of the 2024 Open Championship, helping him to make the cut as an amateur, eventually finishing T60.
He shot a stunning four-under-par 67 to share the opening-day lead at Royal Portrush when The Open was last played in this part of the world and continued his links prowess by finishing tied fifth with a total score of 12-under par at the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Alternative Bet: Shane Lowry to win and each‑way @ 22/1
Shane Lowry is the most natural fit for Doonbeg. The 2019 Open champion grew up playing this style of golf, and few in the field flight the ball lower or manage crosswinds better.
His record on exposed links is exceptional, and home support at an Irish venue has lifted him before.
Lowry’s form has been steady rather than spectacular, but links golf often neutralises raw form and amplifies experience. His ability to scramble, his comfort in bad weather, and his history of thriving in Irish conditions make him a strong contender.
Alternative Bet: Tournament Winning Margin: 2 Strokes or More @ 8/11
Links golf exaggerates skill gaps, punishes weaknesses more severely, and rewards a very specific type of player, so the eventual champion could find himself a few shots clear on Sunday.
Players who flight the ball low, control spin and strike cleanly separate quickly from those who do not.
Three of the last six recent Irish Open events to have been held at links courses have resulted in wins by two strokes or more.
Rahm ran away from the field in 2016 to win by six and came from off the pace to secure his 2019 victory by two shots.
Key Tournament Stats
Doonbeg is a par 72 laid out along Atlantic dunes with five par-threes and five par-fives.
Rory McIlroy is the defending champion (2025, The K Club).
Shane Lowry became the 2019 Open champion at Portrush and will enjoy local support.
McIlroy (2), Jon Rahm (14), Robert MacIntyre (18), Tyrrell Hatton (24) and Sepp Straka (34) are the highest-ranked entrants.
Jacob Olesen finished tied second at the British Masters a fortnight ago.
The Dane has had three top-10 finishes in his last four events.
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
