Billy Seagull
Bookie Basher
- Jul 5, 2003
- 1,445
Its Open Championship time again and this time they rock up to Royal Liverpool Golf Course at Hoylake - http://www.theopen.com/en/TheCourse.aspx. Tiger hosed up when it was last here in 2006 but life hasn't been too good for him since then with a series of injuries and his slight indiscretions. The weather looks like it will play a part with benign conditions on Thursday being replaced by 14mph winds on Friday so it looks like a quick start is in order. Tee times are here - http://scores.theopen.com/en/TeeTimes.aspx
I have had four ante post bets so far and will leave it at that...for now.
Rory McIlroy - backed him last August when he was in a slump and got 28/1 as I thought that his slump was a short term thing with class being permanent and form temporary. He's still inconsistent which he showed last week shooting a course record on day one and 14 more on day 2 but the had a solid weekend and the practice on the links course is all good. Wouldn't put anyone off the 18/1 now.
Zach Johnson - backed him in January at 80/1 when he was in good form in the States, winning once with two more top 10s. He's tailed off a bit since then but stormed back into form this weekend by finishing second in the John Deere, finding his form at the right time. He's been 9th and 6th in the last two open's so he travels well. This course will suit him down to the ground with his dead straight driving - he ranks 6th for accuracy this season on the PGA Tour. 50/1 now is very backable.
Adam Scott - backed him in March at 18/1, a price he's still available at. Ranked number one in the world at the moment and has been consistent for a couple of years now. He handed Ernie Els the Open two years ago after blowing a 4 shot lead but learned from the experience and nailed The Masters in 2013 and also finished 3rd in The Open and 5th in the USPGA. He was 8th here in 2006 so will have good memories of the course. Its hard to imagine him not contending.
Angel Cabrera - last but certainly not least, I backed him at 160 and each way at 125/1 in June when he was showing signs of coming back to form. His price has subsequently collapsed following a win in the Greenbriar Classic two weeks ago. He was 7th here in 2006 and 11th in last years Open. He's an enigma but if his driving is working he'll contend here as his short game is brilliant. 75/1 still looks value to me.
So thats my 4 and there are plenty of dangers. Justin Rose is in great form but his price looks very short now considering his record in The Open is very poor. He was 4th as an amateur but has missed 3 out of the last 4 cuts. Phil Mickelson hasn't found last years form and its very hard to defend a major title. Henrik Stenson has gone 33 majors without a win but has had three top 3 finishes in The Open in the last 6 years. Martin Kaymer has found form again but his record in The Open is poor so far. Couldn't back Tiger with counterfeit despite his win here in 2006 as this is a very different Tiger now. Sergio Garcia has played in 63 majors without winning one, Lee Westwood's form has deserted himand 65 majors without a win says it all, Ian Poulter has played 46 majors without a win but has 3 top 10 finishes in The Open but missed the cut last week, Luke Donald is another with a major duck after 44 events and whilst the course should suit him he has plenty of chances to get over the line but hasn't yet.
Really looking forward to the weeks golf and would love to be there but will settle for watching the action on the telly. However, I am going to St Andrews next year for the 144th Open
So who do you fancy to lift the claret jug this week?
I have had four ante post bets so far and will leave it at that...for now.
Rory McIlroy - backed him last August when he was in a slump and got 28/1 as I thought that his slump was a short term thing with class being permanent and form temporary. He's still inconsistent which he showed last week shooting a course record on day one and 14 more on day 2 but the had a solid weekend and the practice on the links course is all good. Wouldn't put anyone off the 18/1 now.
Zach Johnson - backed him in January at 80/1 when he was in good form in the States, winning once with two more top 10s. He's tailed off a bit since then but stormed back into form this weekend by finishing second in the John Deere, finding his form at the right time. He's been 9th and 6th in the last two open's so he travels well. This course will suit him down to the ground with his dead straight driving - he ranks 6th for accuracy this season on the PGA Tour. 50/1 now is very backable.
Adam Scott - backed him in March at 18/1, a price he's still available at. Ranked number one in the world at the moment and has been consistent for a couple of years now. He handed Ernie Els the Open two years ago after blowing a 4 shot lead but learned from the experience and nailed The Masters in 2013 and also finished 3rd in The Open and 5th in the USPGA. He was 8th here in 2006 so will have good memories of the course. Its hard to imagine him not contending.
Angel Cabrera - last but certainly not least, I backed him at 160 and each way at 125/1 in June when he was showing signs of coming back to form. His price has subsequently collapsed following a win in the Greenbriar Classic two weeks ago. He was 7th here in 2006 and 11th in last years Open. He's an enigma but if his driving is working he'll contend here as his short game is brilliant. 75/1 still looks value to me.
So thats my 4 and there are plenty of dangers. Justin Rose is in great form but his price looks very short now considering his record in The Open is very poor. He was 4th as an amateur but has missed 3 out of the last 4 cuts. Phil Mickelson hasn't found last years form and its very hard to defend a major title. Henrik Stenson has gone 33 majors without a win but has had three top 3 finishes in The Open in the last 6 years. Martin Kaymer has found form again but his record in The Open is poor so far. Couldn't back Tiger with counterfeit despite his win here in 2006 as this is a very different Tiger now. Sergio Garcia has played in 63 majors without winning one, Lee Westwood's form has deserted himand 65 majors without a win says it all, Ian Poulter has played 46 majors without a win but has 3 top 10 finishes in The Open but missed the cut last week, Luke Donald is another with a major duck after 44 events and whilst the course should suit him he has plenty of chances to get over the line but hasn't yet.
Really looking forward to the weeks golf and would love to be there but will settle for watching the action on the telly. However, I am going to St Andrews next year for the 144th Open
So who do you fancy to lift the claret jug this week?
. As a true golf fan I will be hoping that he comes last - I am looking forward to seeing Mr Woods floundering in the long rough, spitting, swearing and chucking his clubs as all great golfers do.