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Best Golf Betting Sites for the Opening Round of The Open Championship on 16-07-2026

July 15, 2026
by Emma Harrison
We love a good sportsbook bonus deal. That’s why we have gone all out to find the best offer, especially with The Open Championship starting at Royal Birkdale on July 16, 2026. From our search, we found three top picks.

They are Betfred, bet365, and BetMGM. When you sign up on any of these golf betting sites, you can claim welcome bonuses in the form of free bets. However, you’ll need to take certain qualifying actions, such as making deposits and placing wagers, to activate them. If you want to know how these deals work, keep reading to learn more.

The best golf betting sites to enjoy the first round of the Open Championship

Round 1 of the Open Championship often sets the tone for the entire tournament, which runs from July 16 to July 19, 2026. Since the leaderboard is open, you’ll spot early leaders and a few surprise contenders. That’s why top UK betting sites are rolling out free bet offers this week, just so you can get in on the action as quickly as possible.

Let’s review some of our top picks right away.

Betfred: A long-standing sportsbook

Betfred: Pros and Cons
  • Virtually every type of gambling feature available from sports to bingo.
  • Superb sports betting setup with outright and in-play markets.
  • Simple but easy-to-use website design.
  • Highly rated mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
  • The sportsbook layout can be a little confusing.
  • No esports betting coverage.
Visit Betfred

Betfred has been a familiar name in the UK sports betting space for decades, and it tops our list of the best operators running fresh UK betting promotions. From our review, you’ll find deep betting markets on this golf tournament with competitive odds.

Free BetsBetting Bonuses

When you sign up on this platform, deposit and bet £10+ on any sports (minimum odds of 2.00). This action will help you unlock £30 in free sports bets and £20 in free Bet Builder bets for The Open Championship. Just note that the Betfred free bets expire after 7 days and are not returned once you stake them.

bet365: A global sports betting brand

bet365: Pros and Cons
  • Multiple sections including sports betting, casino games, bingo, and esports
  • One of the best mobile apps available for Android and iOS
  • Awesome bet builder and player builder betting options for the sportsbook
  • Easy-to-use website with simple primary navigation
  • PayPal minimum deposit limit could be lower at £25
Visit Bet365

bet365 is a popular brand known for its massive sports coverage, and golf is no exception. From our review, we found a list of betting markets, including outright winners, first-round leaders, top finishes (including ties), and player totals. There’s also a live streaming service where you can follow the tournament’s live action.

New UK Betting SitesOnline Casinos Where You Can Bet on Sports

And if anything, you’ll love the bet365 free bets deal we found. Here, you’ll receive £30 as bonus credits when you register and wager £10+ on any sports (minimum odds of 1.20). Also, this bonus isn’t returned when staked; you’ll only receive your potential winnings in your cash balance.

BetMGM: A reputable sportsbook in the UK

BetMGM: Pros and Cons
  • One of the best mobile apps available for UK sites
  • Wide variety of payment methods
  • Instant deposit and withdrawal processing times
  • Huge array of casino games including live dealers
  • Not a big variety of promos for existing customers
Visit BetMGM UK

BetMGM has grown quickly in the UK. It brings a clean, modern app with sharp odds on the big sporting events like The Open. The round-by-round leader markets are popular during this tournament, so fans can back their picks each day.

When you place a £10+ bet on any sports event (minimum odds of 2.0), you’ll get £40 in free bets. The BetMGM free bets are awarded as £20 free sports bets or £20 free Bet Builder bets. You can use this bonus to wager on the tournament within 7 days of receiving it; otherwise, you’ll lose it. Also, you’ll receive any potential winnings via the bonus as withdrawable cash (excluding the free bet).

Enjoy round 1 of the Open Championship via top golf betting platforms

The Open Championship’s opening round could have a few surprises. So feel free to use the bonuses from our recommended operators to back your picks without risking your own funds. If you’re interested in any of these operators and their available offers, click their corresponding banners on this page. Then sign up for an account, make a deposit, place a wager, and claim your free bets.