No Tiger Woods means this week’s Open at Royal Birkdale will be exactly that – wide open! Here are the main contenders according to the betting, with the best prices available at the time of writing but, in such an open year, I certainly wouldn’t rule out the winner coming from outside these.
Sergio Garcia 10/1 Ladbrokes
Loves Links golf and has built up an impressive bank of Open top-10’s - last year’s runner-up spot was his sixth top-10 in seven years – and it’s surely a question of when, not if, he wins one. His confidence has soared since winning the Players Championship, and with his nemesis Tiger out of the way, this could be his year. A worthy favourite.
Ernie Els 15/1 VCbet
Arguably, the world’s best links player. Woods may have won more Opens (three to Ernie’s one), but the South African’s record is far more consistent. In 16 opens, he has finished in the top-5 eight times, including six of the last eight years. His average form in 2008 means he won’t go off favourite but, to be fair, he’s played better of late, and I wouldn’t want to lay him.
Lee Westwood 16/1 Betfred
Top British hope, according to the betting, but his Open record is nothing to get excited about – two top-10’s in this major, and both of those came at Royal Troon. Still, he’s been a regular on leaderboards all season and went close to winning the US Open (where he has a better record), so it would be daft to write him off.
Phil Mickelson 16/1 Stan James
Americans have done well in our Open and particularly at Birkdale, where they’ve won five of the last eight played, but his event has not been a happy hunting ground for Mickelson. He’s only made the top-20 twice, and the only time he really contended was at Royal Troon when the wind didn’t blow. One to take on in the outrights and in match bets.
Padraig Harrington 18/1 Paddy Power
Harrington’s record on links courses reveals an obvious chance, and he looks to be peaking at the right time. My only concern would be the pressure and media commitments that a defending champion has to deal with. Providing he copes with that, he could become the fifth player to successfully defend the Open title in the last half century.
Justin Rose 28/1 Skybet
Who will forget Rose holing out from the fairway on the 72nd hole in the 1998 Birkdale Open as a teenage amateur? His career has been a rollercoaster ride since, but he ended 2007 on a high by winning the Order Of Merit title. Not much has gone right since, however, and his odds look pretty skinny based on his efforts this term.
Adam Scott 28/1 sportingbet
Up to No.3 in the world rankings, but he still shows little sign of converting his regular tournament form over to the Majors. His Open record is particularly poor – only one top-20 finish form eight tries – and he is always likely to be more suited to target golf courses with receptive greens. Easily opposed.
Vijay Singh 30/1 VCbet
This Major continues to elude the Fijian, but he has gone close in recent years, finishing in a tie for second behind Ben Curtis in 2003 and again making the frame in 2005. Now aged 45, his best days might be behind him and, despite his biggest British open odds that I can remember, I won’t be backing him to lift the Claret Jug.
Jim Furyk 25/1 888sport
Finished fourth the last time the Open was played here in 1998, and he’s a much better player now with more experience under his belt. His 2008 form is a slight concern, although third place at Congressional on his latest start was encouraging. Solid each way bet.
Geoff Ogilvy 30/1 Skybet
Already a Major winner and deserves another one after racking up a string of high finishes in the biggest events. His British Open record is encouraging too – tied fifth in 2005 and tied 16th two years ago – so it would be no surprise to see him add an Open championship to his CV.
Stewart Cink 33/1 William Hill
Has improved as a links player, registering his best Open finish last year when sixth, and this year has been one of his most consistent to date, landing an overdue win in the Travelers Championship. Yet to win a major, but has been hinting at a breakthrough recently and this could be his time.
Andres Romero 33/1 Boylesports
The talented Argentinean briefly led last year’s Open at Carnoustie, where pars at the last two holes would have seen him a decisive winner, and finished tied-8th the year before, so he’s clearly at home on a links course. This year, he has proved himself in the States with victory in New Orleans and eighth in the Masters, so he must be in with a great shout.
Robert Karlsson 35/1 Paddy Power
Has been in cracking form on the PGA Tour this season, and would have an outstanding chance if carrying over that form to Birkdale. The chances of that are remote though, as he has a dismal links record, making only one of his last eight Open cuts.
Justin Leonard 66/1 totesport
A former Open champion and one of the great wind players who, at the age of 36, should be at his golfing peak. Recently won in Texas, so there is nothing wrong with his current game and it would be no surprise to see him challenge for the Claret Jug again.
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