Rory McIlroy ended 2022 as the world’s number ranked golfer, so with his stock now as high as ever, will 2023 finally be the season he ends his barron run without a Major victory? Here we look at his chances with some early 2023 golf betting picks.
Jon Rahm didn't kick on in 2022
McIlroy finished the 2021 season ranked in ninth place, with Spain’s Jon Rahm leading the way in first position. If precedent is needed, Rahm went into the 2022 season as either the betting favorite, or one of the favorites, to win all four Major events. In the end, Rahm finished 2022 with no Major championships. He is now down to fifth in the world rankings, and this after a strong second half to his season.
The early frontrunner in 2022 was Scottie Scheffler. He won the Phoenix Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, and his first Major championship, the Masters, in his first six starts of 2022. That red hot form saw Scheffler take over the world number one ranking from Rahm.
Scottie Scheffler, 2022 Masters champion. #themasters pic.twitter.com/IJyVgjFfxJ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2022
And it was at the Masters, that we witnessed the start of McIlroy’s run, that would eventually see him climb back to the top of the rankings at the back end of 2022.
McIlroy finished second to Scheffler at Augusta, and he had decent finishes at the three following Majors in 2022, finishing 8th at the PGA, T5 at the US Open, and 3rd at the British Open Championship.
As good as all that was, the third place - in particular - at the British Open Championship would have felt more like a defeat. This, after going into the final round as joint leader with Viktor Hovland, with the pair holding a four shot lead over third place pair, Cameron Smith, and Cameron Young. Eventually, Cameron Smith won the Claret Jug.
5️⃣ Birdies in a row
0️⃣ Bogeys
1️⃣ Claret JugCameron Smith fended off Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young to become this year's Champion Golfer of the Year 🏆
👉 https://t.co/hxMibP221K pic.twitter.com/UfmemkvRrw
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022
So, with McIlroy being the top man in golf again, can he finally win another Major in 2023? Let’s take a look at the betting.
Masters Betting
In the betting to win the Masters, McIlroy is out on his own as the +900 betting favorite with the best online golf betting sites. Following behind is Jon Rahm at +1200, with Cameron Smith and Scottie Scheffler both next at +1400.
| 2023 US Masters Golf Winner Betting |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | +900 | +850 | +900 |
| Jon Rahm | +1200 | +1200 | +1100 |
| Cameron Smith | +1400 | +1200 | +1300 |
| Scottie Scheffler | +1400 | +1200 | +1300 |
| Justin Thomas | +1800 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Jordan Spieth | +1800 | +2000 | +1800 |
| Dustin Johnson | +2200 | +2500 | +2200 |
| Patrick Cantlay | +2500 | +2500 | +2200 |
| Xander Schauffele | +2500 | +2500 | +2800 |
| Viktor Hovland | +2500 | +2500 | +2800 |
| Will Zalatoris | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Tony Finau | +2500 | +3000 | +2800 |
| Collin Morikawa | +2800 | +2800 | +2800 |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | +2800 | +3000 | +2500 |
| Brooks Koepka | +3500 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Sunjae Im | +3500 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Cameron Young | +3500 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Bryson Dechambeau | +4000 | +4000 | +5000 |
| Shane Lowry | +4500 | +4000 | +4500 |
This is the one Major that McIlroy is yet to win, and as such, there is always extra attention and scrutiny on the Ulsterman ahead of the Augusta competition. McIlroy is a proven winner though, and these sort of guys generally get there in the end. Maybe this year, maybe the next, but I believe Rory will land a Masters title one day.
PGA Championship Betting
McIlroy shares the favorites tag for the 2023 US PGA Championship with the duo of Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas, all at +1400 with him. In 2022, Rory finished 8th at -2, three shots behind eventual winner Justin Thomas, who needed a playoff to defeat Will Zalatoris.
The fact that Thomas is the defending champion is holding his price up. Whilst the course at the Oak Hill Country Club in New York looks favorable to the game of Rahm.
US Open Betting
In the US Open, McIlroy and Rahm share the favorites tag at +1200. They are both followed by Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas, who are both at +1400. Like with the PGA, this is regarded as a more open betting market.
This will be the first time a golf Major has been held at the Los Angeles Country Club in California.
British Open Betting
The final Major of the year, and in the British Open golf odds, Rory is out on his own at +900 to win this event. Following on is Jon Rahm (+1200), Cameron Smith (+1200), Scottie Scheffler (+1400), and Justin Thomas (+1800).
This event is always difficult to call due to not knowing what the weather is going to be like.
As it’s always held on a Links course, the weather can be anything from blowing a gale, to the most benign day you’ll ever see. It’s also possible to get both sets of conditions across the four days.
The Open Championship in 2023 is at the Royal Liverpool course. Which also happens to be where this event was played the last time McIlroy won it.
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Conclusion
It’s always hard to make predictions this far out, and as we saw with Jon Rahm this year, following up a successful year with another one isn't guaranteed.
Rory has also found himself the lead voice in speaking out against the LIV Golf Tour, and all the complications it has caused for both the US PGA Tour, and DP World Tour (European Tour). This is extra aggravation he could well do without.
'Golf Is Ripping Itself Apart': Rory McIlroy Calls for Talks Between LIV Golf and PGA Tour https://t.co/QPXD6fLr4L
— SI Golf (@SI_Golf) September 28, 2022
At the same time, McIlroy has taken on this role and has spoken out courageously at times. Showing himself to be a true leader in the game. Where others have shied away, Rory has always spoken out. This shows he is now the leading name in golf, and with that will come additional self belief.
For me, I feel that McIlroy will win a Major in 2023. It’s hard to say which one. But at his current odds, it is possible to wager on him in all four and make a profit if he wins just one.
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