BRITISH OPEN - TOP CONTENDERS ODDS

7/17/08

By Ryan Patterson

Man I love golf. There is nothing like a relaxing trip to your local golf course to play 9, or if your feeling good, 18 holes. Unless of course if your me, and your average is somewhere around 80 (for 9 holes) you might not golf too much. Those who do love golf are going to be in for a treat July 17. That’s right, its time for the British Open. Like all good things in life, you can wager on this prestigious golf event. With Tiger Woods out of the picture, it certainly opens up the field and presents some betting opportunities we might not otherwise see. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders and their posted odds and see if we can find some value.

Vijay Singh (25-1)- They call this man the “Big Fijian”, and his real name means “Victorious Lion”. Singh has been a staple of golf since winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1993. He won the Masters in 2000, and the PGA Championship in 1998 and 2004. His best finish in the British Open was a tie for second in 2003. I can never advise against a bet on a 25-1 so if you like Singh I would go for it.

Sergio Garcia (8-1)- This Spaniard finished second in The Open last year, and is coming back for more. He has yet to win a major championship, and should be hungry for his first victory. At 8-1, I couldn’t tell you not to bet him.

Phil Mickelson (12-1)- Nicknamed “Lefty”, Mickelson has wins in three major championships. These victories include wins in the Masters in 2004 and 2006, and a PGA Championship in 2005. His best finish in the British Open was third in 2004. Though he has had a shaky start to 2008 I like Mickelson’s chances to capture the British Open for the first time.

Ernie Els (12-1)- Known as the “Big Easy” for his imposing size and fluid swing, Els is a former World #1. Els has twice won the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, and he captured the British Open in 2002. How can you not like someone who has already won this event? At 12-1, I would give him a shot.

David Toms (100-1)- The first thing I noticed about this guy is how high his odds are. 100-1 on a man with a major victory and a fourth place finish in this event? I’ll take some of that! He scored 265 for 72 holes in his 2001 victory in the PGA Championship. This is the lowest score in the history of all major events. Why is he 100-1?!

The above contenders offer some great odds and a chance to make a nice score. When betting on major tournaments When Tiger is involved, most of the value is in the head to head matchups. With Tiger out, it may be worth it to take a shot on some of the others.

I’ll be tuning in to the British Open on July 17. Make sure to check back to Bettorsworld.com for the latest information. Good luck with your wagers, I’m headed to the golf course!