Tiger Woods returns to action for the British Open at Royal Liverpool but gone are the days when he was automatic favourite. Those who have faith in the American’s powers of recovery can get 25-1 about him making a sensational comeback this week.
Despite positive vibes from the player, the fact remains that he has not won a major since 2008. It is surely going to take longer than even (in which he missed the cut) to recover his game after back surgery.
This time last year, Phil Mickelson’s supporters were happily playing up their winnings from the Scottish Open. He was only a peripheral figure there this time around despite a closing 65 and his overall form does not suggest another British Open triumph for “Lefty”. My tip for top American is Dustin Johnson who seems to have the knack of putting in a solid effort in this tournament every year.
In the last four seasons he has finished fourteenth, second, nine and thirty-second. OK, that last performance doesn’t take your breath away but he obviously does his research and does not just turn up expecting a flat calm day. He may even have won in 2011 but for a double-bogey at the 14th hole, allowing Darren Clarke to go on and win.
German sport is on the up after their World Cup success. Martin Kaymer turned the US Open into the most boring major tournament in living memory, such was his dominance. I’m not expecting him to do that at Royal Liverpool but 25-1 looks a good each-way price.
The best of the Australian challenge will surely come from Adam Scott. Two years ago he should have won this event comfortably but collapsed dramatically to hand the Claret Jug to Ernie Els. I think there was an element of embarrassment for the big South African in accepting the trophy. To Scott’s credit he came out and won the US Masters the following spring and is now one of the leading players in the world. He has made the top ten of three of the last six majors.
Jim Furyk who frequently pops up on the leaderboard at major championships, although he has only ever converted once. 70-1 will do for an each-way bet while you can get more than double that about Joost Luiten if you fancy a real long shot. After Holland’s heartbreak in the penalty shoot-out, let’s hope Luiten does not need to endure a play-off!
Adam Scott @16-1 Bet365
Martin Kaymer @25-1 Ladbrokes
Dustin Johnson @40-1 William Hill
Jim Furyk @70-1 BetVictor
Joost Luiten @150-1 888Sport, Unibet
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4,5
