Weekend Review: Bookies profit from Molinari’s Open triumph

The Open Championship at Carnoustie dominated punting proceedings this weekend in the absence of any competitive football as Francesco Molinari became the first Italian to win a major.

Molinari produced a two-under final round of 69 in windy conditions in Scotland to finish eight under and defeat a pack of star golfers in the process.

He finished two ahead of four players, including home favourites Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy, who tied on six under, while Tiger Woods finished five under after leading midway through the round.

The first ever Italian Major Champion 🇮🇹 #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/z2jOKL6fTD

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

Kindred Group’s Jonas Kobberholm said: “The weekend was dominated by The Open which took most of the attention.

“Francesco Molinari won his and Italy’s first major and has been red hot on Tour since May. He climbed to the top of the leaderboard with a great and disciplined final round.

“The Italian’s win was not anticipated by the punters, as we were able to take home a good margin on the outright winner market,” he added.

The Open also saw BetVictor produce a small winner against the punters. The firm’s Charlie McCann said: “Francesco Molinari was well backed pre-event but became a winner in-play as customers got behind British golfers Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, as well as the holder Jordan Spieth and of course Tiger Woods who so nearly rolled back the years and played nine flawless holes of links golf.

“Like most golf fans our trading floor was cheering on Tiger – but it wasn’t meant to be. A win for Kevin Kisner, Kevin Chapple or Xander Schauffle would also have been a wonderful result, but overall The Open was a small winner.”

Betdaq’s Eamon Moran revealed that £15m was matched by punters on The Open this weekend. He said: “Among the excitement of Francesco Molinari’s maiden major and Tiger Woods’ continued resurgence, a total of £15m was matched on The Open. One BETDAQ exchange trader had £1,162 of that on Molinari to lift the Claret Jug, at 36.56, to land a whopping £41,355.”    

BetVictor had a lucky escape on its Bet Boost after offering Lewis Hamilton to win the German Grand Prix at 12/1, with a maximum stake of £10. McCann said: “Thank goodness most sports customers were focusing on The Open.

“Amazingly, Hamilton was a better result than Vettel who left the track and collided with the barriers during a heavy shower with the race seemingly in control at that point.”

I wish I could describe this feeling right now… What a day, true proof that you should never give up!! The team did such a great job as they always do, I can’t thank them enough! I kept the belief and it came true. A big, big thanks to God 🙌🏾 #Godisthegreatest @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/5j3VBNFpJA

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 22, 2018

Kindred did however make a loss on the football this weekend, both in pre-season friendlies and the Belgium Super Cup, with the country being one of their core markets.

Kobberholm told EGR: “In the International Champions Cup, Klopp took on his former team Borussia Dortmund in a match that Liverpool lost 1-3.

“The Reds were the most backed team, but the many goals was enough for the punters to claw almost all their money back.

“In Belgian football, Club Bruges cemented themselves as the most successful Super Cup club with their 15th title after a 2-1 win against Standard Liege.

“Despite the favourite winning and both teams making the scoreboard, we were able to get away from the match with only a minor loss,” he added.