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Didn’t think Darren Clarke had a chance to raise the Claret Jug on Sunday? Well, odds are you weren’t alone. Clarke was listed as high as 240-to-1 to win the British Open by 5Dimes sportsbook, and was at least 150-to-1 at most other offshores.
But there was at least one person who thought the Northern Ireland native would win The Open championship, which was held at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, England.
According to a tweet by CNBC Sports Business reporter Darren Rovell, Sportsbook.com took a $300 bet on Clarke to win $37,500 prior to the tournament’s first round. The book listed Clarke, who previously had never won a major championship, at 125-to-1.
Makes you wonder: Did the guy hedge his bet on Sunday?
He probably wasn’t tempted given the lack of respect oddsmakers showed Clarke entering the final round. Even though Clarke held a one-shot lead through Saturday, he was listed as a 3-to-1 underdog behind Dustin Johnson (2-1), who was one shot back.
Clarke actually shot the worst round of his tournament on Sunday — he finished with an even par 70 — but it was enough to hold off the surging Phil Mickelson and Johnson in the end. Clarke finished with a final score of 5-under 275 and won by 3 strokes to become the third player from Northern Ireland to win a major championship.
So yes, Clarke won the British Open and a man won $37,500 as a result.
Now the bad news, if there is such a thing: Had the guy shopped around for the best line, his $300 bet on Clarke could have paid him $72,000 at 5Dimes.
