Gleneagles will play host to this year’s Senior Open Championship and we’ve picked out three golfers to follow at the spectacular Scottish venue.
A stellar field of stars aged 50 or over are set to test their skills on the King’s Course , which measures 6,859 yards in length and has a par of 70 for this tournament.
Here are our top trio of betting tips for The Senior Open 2026 :
Padraig Harrington
PADRAIG HARRINGTON @ 10/1
The 54-year-old Irishman is the defending champion after finishing three shots clear of Thomas Bjorn and Justin Leonard at Sunningdale 12 months ago and looks in good shape to retain this trophy, just as he did with The Claret Jug back in 2008.
Harrington is certainly enjoying the twilight of his career, having recently successfully defended his US Seniors Open title after a final-round 66 saw him strike by four from Stewart Cink, winner of the year’s first two senior majors. He has to bounce back from failing to make the cut at the Scottish Open and The Open , but a second-round 69 at Royal Birkdale was a welcome boost.
A 2022 Senior Open runner-up finish behind Darren Clarke on this course is another plus point and Harrington is determined to add to his tally of four senior major championship triumphs. He said: “I’m realising there is only a window to win these tournaments. The other players have told me that it’s kind of up to about 56, 57 - then it starts going downhill pretty quickly.”
Betting Odds
2026 The Senior Open Betting Odds
Player | Odds | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|
Zach Johnson | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Stewart Cink | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Padraig Harrington | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Ernie Els | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Steven Alker | 18/1 | 5.3% |
Henrik Stenson | 18/1 | 5.3% |
Jamie Donaldson | 20/1 | 4.8% |
BAR | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Zach Johnson
ZACH JOHNSON @ 9/2
Having just turned 50 towards the end of February, Johnson is in prime position to make hay amongst the golden oldies - and has been doing just that. The American sidestepped the US Senior Open to play in the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic , where he made the top 10, but then cleaned up at the Senior Players Championship in Ohio , romping home six shots ahead of nearest rival Boo Weekley .
That was a third win of his rookie campaign on the PGA Tour Champions circuit and Johnson confidently declared afterwards: “My game’s good.” Travelling to Scotland will bring back happy memories for the Iowa-born ace, who won The Open at St Andrews back in 2015, and he is a worthy favourite this week.
Jamie Donaldson
JAMIE DONALDSON @ 20/1
It has been no surprise to see solid support in the Senior Open betting for Donaldson , who will forever be remembered as the player who secured the winning point for Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles .
The former Irish Open winner has been rejuvenated by a switch to seniors events since celebrating his 50th birthday last October, already claiming a couple of victories in Spain . Donaldson did well to finish in a tie for fifth at the US Senior Open , posting rounds of 69-70-69-68, and there is no doubt the Welshman will be fired up for this return to Gleneagles .
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