Golf: British Open
by Bodog Sports | Jul 16 2008
With
Tiger Woods on crutches the rest of golf’s big names have an even better chance to claim a Major glory this week.
Phil Mickelson,
Vijay Singh and
Ernie Els would all have more Majors on their respective CVs but for Tiger.
The problem is that none are showing particularly inspired form ahead of Royal Birkdale and can each be passed over with relative confidence. Instead, we fancy two young guns and an old stager to put us on the road to punting riches.
Golf betting is never an exact science, besides player form so many variables come into play, especially in links golf where a perfect drive that lands in the middle of a wickedly undulating fairway can suddenly kick sideways and disappear into foot long hay.
Our number one selection goes to Johannesburg-born
Justin Rose who made headlines when finishing fourth at Royal Birkdale as an amateur in ten years ago. It’s fair to say that Rose has come on leaps and bounds since then as his current Order of Merit crown testifies. With an ace course record and some tidy June form (2nd at Memorial) we may not find many better outside odds all year.
on Justin Rose to win the British OpenAmericans have a brilliant record in this event, winning ten of the last 14 Opens. That record seems to continually baffle Europeans, as links golf is so very different to the ‘target’ golf courses that our American cousins were reared on.
But the reality is that the European Tour hosts so few links venues during the season that its members are no better prepared that the trans-Atlantic raiders.
There’s a few American past Open champions in the field who will relish the next week or so but none of them offer the value of
Mark Calcavecchia. The 1989 Royal Troon victor refound his winning touch in 2007, claiming the Pods championship in Florida and 23rd at Carnoustie last year shows that Calc can still play a bit despite approaching his late 40s.
He’s got an early tee time on Thursday, which is a distinct advantage as he’ll play the course in its optimum condition and at massive outsider odds he’s a great punt.
on Mark Calcavecchia to win the British OpenOur final selection is another American with a sound recent pedigree in golf’s oldest Major.
Hunter Mahan was sixth at Carnoustie last year and is in blinding nick, with a 2nd and a 12th from his last two starts.
At Carnoustie last year the accurate driving Mahan finished sixth, Angel 34th. Birkdale has been set up with even tighter fairways and thicker rough than Carnoustie. You're the man Hunter!Mahan is a fine player in gusty conditions and has the game to put the wind up the bookies. Like Calc and Rose he tees off early on Thursday which gives him a great chance to get his title bid off to a great start.
on British Open head-to-heads
