Irish Open: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Irish Open glory is up for grabs at Royal County Down this week and a stellar field will descend upon the Northern Irish venue, including home favourite Rory McIlroy.

Four-time Major champion McIlroy was born in Holywood, just an hour drive away from the golf club, and he is the 13/2 market leader to lift this trophy for the second time after his 2016 success at The K Club.

Sweden's Vincent Norrman claimed the spoils last year, holding off German Hurly Long by a shot and the defending champion is 250/1 to become the first player since Colin Montgomerie in 1997 to win back-to-back titles.

Irish Open betting tips and predictions

Bernd Wiesberger to win and each-way - 33/1

Just 30 players in this week's field competed the last time Royal County Down hosted this event in 2015 and 13 of those failed to make the cut, including McIlroy, the market leader for this edition.

One player who thrived nine years ago was Bernd Wiesberger, who lost in a three-man play-off to take a share of second place, showing his ability to handle tough conditions.

High winds are expected this week, along with some rain, so it bodes well that Wiesberger can battle through the worst of conditions and still manage to post a score, just like he did during the third round at last week's European Masters in challenging weather.

With thick rough, strategically-placed bunkers and fast, dome-shaped greens to negotiate, a solid tee-to-green will be crucial and the 38-year-old Austrian is fourth in strokes gained in this department on the DP World Tour this season.

The world number 188 is also second in greens in regulation, sixth in SG: approach and 37th in driving accuracy, while he is a dab hand when he needs to get up-and-down as he ranks fourth in scrambling and third in SG: around the green.

Issues on the greens have been holding Wiesberger back, but he has shown an improvement with the flat stick since changing to a belly putter and he has been above the field average in SG: putting in his last two tournaments.

Thriston Lawrence to win and each-way - 28/1

One player who has no problems with their short game is Thriston Lawrence, who is third in SG: putting, ninth in putts per green in regulation and 14th in putts per round.

The South African, who is also 16th in scrambling, has finished tied-second three times this season and was recently runner-up by himself at the British Masters, that performance at the Belfry coming after his success at the SunBet Challenge on the Sunshine Tour.

Lawrence's two previous Irish Open outings in 2022 and 2023 have seen him record back-to-back third-place finishes and he was also fourth at this year's Open, further evidence of his affinity for links golf.

Richie Ramsay top 10 finish - 11/1

Scotland's Richie Ramsay has fond memories of Royal County Down, having secured a top-10 result in 2015, and his neat, tidy game should stand him in good stead again.

The 41-year-old is solid off the tee, ranking 25th in driving accuracy, while he is sixth in greens in regulation to highlight how sharp the irons have been.

Ramsay, who was also second in the 2017 Irish Open and fourth four years later, posted a tied-third finish at the Czech Masters three starts ago and a top-10 result this week looks within his grasp.

Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site

Irish Open odds

Rory McIlroy	13/2
Shane Lowry	11/1
Aaron Rai	16/1
Robert MacIntyre	18/1
Rasmus Hojgaard	25/1
Thriston Lawrence	28/1
Seamus Power	30/1
Ryan Fox	30/1
Thomas Detry	30/1
Bernd Wiesberger	33/1

View the full market and more odds for the Irish Open on site

Read the Irish Open: How to watch, TV channel, course details and more

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.