Written by @Matt_Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The Open Championship | Thursday 17 July – Sunday 20 July | Royal Liverpool Golf Club
The Open Championship has finally arrived and on Thursday, the world’s top golfers will all tee off with a single goal in mind, to emerge victorious and get their hands on the coveted Claret Jug. This is the oldest of all the Majors and this year marks the 143rd edition of this historic tournament. The event returns to Hoylake for the twelfth time and as one can expect, the course is going to be as challenging as they come. Measuring in at 7,312 yards, the only way to win on this tough par 72 layout is to hit fairway, as wayward shots are going to be punished severely. Anything that lands in the thick stuff is going to be difficult to get out so the ability to scramble and keep a cool head is also of vital importance. Even if players do manage to keep away from the rough, there are a number of bunkers on almost every hole and avoiding these is going to be a real challenge.
Last time the tournament was hosted here, Tiger was king and won with a final tally of -18, a score far superior than that which is normally seen in this tournament. Over those four days he used his driver once and based on that alone, it becomes clear that how long players hit the ball is of little significance. Obviously, with Hoylake being a links course, a good record on tracks with a similar layout is a good indication of who may fare well. So who has the game to reign victorious here? Let’s have a look.
To Win Outright
Justin Rose 14/1
Adam Scott 16/1
Henrik Stenson 16/1
Rory McIlroy 16/1
Martin Kaymer 22/1
VALUE BETS
Dustin Johnson (40/1 a win, 72/10 a place)
Dustin Johnson arrives at Hoylake with an enviable record in the Majors and can be backed at a very healthy 40/1 this week. So far this year he has been impressive and he came close in the US Open where he finished a very respectable fourth. Time and time again he’s shown his class and he’s definitely going to win a Major soon, the only question is when? He’s one of the few players on the US Tour who has consistently dominated on links layouts and he’s played well consistently in the Open Championship over the years. A second in 2011 was followed by a ninth in 2012 and if he can repeat that tournament form here, he’ll find himself in the Top 5 at least. Each way on Johnson is the bet for me this week.
Robert Karlsson (90/1 a win, 16/1 a place)
For a while it looked like Karlsson may not even make the trip to Hoylake as he fell outside the Top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings, but an impressive fourth place finish in France ensured that he earned his position in a tournament that he has the ability to go far in. He hasn’t played all that much in this tournament and didn’t impress in 2013, finishing way down the ranks and never giving himself a chance. That performance was disappointing considering that he finished just outside the Top 10 in 2011. Recently, he seems to be playing some great golf and after a shaky start to the season, he seems to be peaking at just the right time. He hits his irons really well and has proved himself on links courses time and time again, so 90/1 looks a great price this week.
Shane Lowry (100/1 a win, 18/1 a place)
After last week Shane Lowry can’t be ignored and at 100/1 the in-form Irishman looks to be a great bet. He’ll arrive here confident that he can mix it up with the best after finishing fourth in the Scottish Open and prior to that he finished second in the BMW PGA Championship against a top class field. He’s hitting his irons incredibly accurately at the moment and loves the links layout, a fact that he has proven time and time again over the years. A third in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship proved that and based on his current form, he’s definitely worth a strike at 100/1. Each way here is the bet for me, especially considering that Hollywood are paying six places this week.
TOP BET: Henrik Stenson (16/1 a win, 29/10 a place)
Looking at the top of the betting this week, it is the talented Swede who makes the most appeal at 18/1. He’s never won a Major and will come here confident that he can do well, especially considering that this year his form in the Majors has been solid. A fourth in the US Open was preceded by a fourteenth in the Masters and if his Major form carries on in that upward swing, there’s little reason that he won’t be lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday. He comes here well rested and will be in a good place mentally, a fact that will be key when dealing with the pressure of this tournament. Stenson will win a Major one day and I think that this may be the best opportunity he’s had yet.
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