Odds to win the 2014 British Open: Rory McIlroy overwhelming favorite heading into Sunday

There are still 18 holes left in the 2014 British Open, but the oddsmakers are already calling it for Rory McIlroy. The Ulsterman is a 2/13 favorite to win his third major championship on Sunday at Royal Liverpool, where he’ll start the final round with a six-shot lead. For comparison’s sake, Martin Kaymer, who held five-shot lead at the 54-hole mark of the U.S. Open last month, was a 1/3 favorite heading into Sunday.

McIlroy has been in this position before, and never relinquished his lead with one round to play in his previous two major wins. In fact, he never lets anyone get close. The 2010 U.S. Open was an eight-stroke victory at the end, but that tournament was wrapped up by Friday afternoon at the midpoint. The PGA Championship was another eight-shot win, and despite an early run by Ian Poulter, McIlroy never really had to sweat down during the final round. The weather conditions at an Open Championship can sometimes create a more likely scenario for a huge tumble back to the field, but it’s often from a lesser player than the talent of Rory.

Rickie Fowler is the one guy with the best chance to chase down the leader, but it’s still a longshot. Fowler is a streaky player -- we saw him roll in four birdies in his first six holes on Saturday. He started the third round down six to Rory and pulled even to share the lead by the 12th hole, so it’s not impossible. Fowler is currently 12/1. Here are the updated odds to win the 143rd Open Championship, (via Bovada):