Crown Australian Open Betting Tips, Predictions & Odds
The Crown Australian Open returns to Royal Melbourne, a venue that gives this event a character few courses can match.
The Composite Course is known for firm turf, demanding green designs and bunkering that forces players to think their way around rather than rely on pure strength.
It has long been a place that highlights control, precision and patience, and it remains one of the most distinctive tests on the schedule.
With several leading names in the field and a strong group of Australians comfortable on Sandbelt terrain, this layout should quickly separate those striking the ball cleanly from those who are not.
Free Bets golf expert Ben Smith has picked out a few golf tips ahead of the tournament.
Crown Australian Open Betting Tips
Here are our three top betting tips, with the best prices on the market from our best betting sites.
Tip 1: Winner - Rory McIlroy
Tournament favourite Rory McIlroy looks generously priced here and is the standout option in this field.
Given he went off around 4/1 in Dubai against a stronger group, I expected him to go off at a similar price or possibly even shorter in Melbourne, so this number is hard to ignore.
His recent form only offers encouragement. He shot a closing 62 for third in Abu Dhabi and then reached a playoff in Dubai, both confirming that his game is exactly where it needs to be.
The flat week in India now looks like a simple post-Ryder Cup dip rather than anything concerning. Royal Melbourne rewards players who control their trajectories and manage approaches well, areas where McIlroy has been consistently sharp. If that continues, he sets the standard.
Tip 2: Winner - Alex Fitzpatrick (Each-Way)
Alex Fitzpatrick looked to be progressing nicely earlier in the year, but the summer was a setback, with six missed cuts from nine starts between July and September. Most of that came down to loose ball-striking, which regularly left him chasing rounds.
The improvement since then has been clear enough. He posted two top tens in October and has put together a run of steadier performances that better reflect his overall level.
Last week, he began the final round of the Australian PGA Championship only three shots off the lead. He didn’t make the Sunday move he needed, but the position he played himself into was promising.
Now trending in the right direction, he should be capable of another forward showing here.
Tip 3: Winner - Ryo Hisatsune (Each-Way) (6 places)
Ryo Hisatsune arrives with quieter results of late, but his underlying numbers remain steady. He has continued to gain from tee-to-green in most starts, which is usually a good guide for Sandbelt golf.
His early-season run included several high finishes in the United States, proving he can compete when his irons are sharp.
Hisatsune has also handled Australian conditions well in previous visits, regularly producing solid results, so a competitive week here would not surprise.
Tip 4: Winner - Sam Bairstow (Each-Way) (5 places)
Sam Bairstow has been displaying some positive signs in recent times, with his long game looking in working order at Wentworth, Saint-Nom-La-Breteche and St Andrews.
After a poor effort in Spain, his response last week was exactly what he needed, producing a top-10 finish at the Australian PGA Championship.
We’ve seen throughout the season that, when his game clicks, he puts himself in contention often enough. If he carries that form forward, he looks a fair price to feature again.
Where to Watch the Crown Australian Open
If you're looking to watch the action alongside getting involved with the golf betting this week, then here's how you can see the action live from Melbourne.
TV Channel
The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf (and sometimes Sky Sports Main Event) for UK viewers.
Live Stream Information
Sky subscribers can stream the action via Sky Go, as long as their package includes the relevant Sky Sports channels.
For those without a Sky Sports subscription, NOW TV provides flexible daily and monthly passes to watch the tournament live.
The official DP World Tour website offers My Tour streaming of featured groups for free (registration required), though geo-restrictions may apply.
