The Open Championship is back at Royal Birkdale Golf Club this year, as the Southport course is set to host the oldest of the four Major Championships for the first time since 2008 – the year when Padraig Harrington won the Claret Jug for the second time running.
Royal Birkdale is a par-70 course, which plays 7,173 yards off the back tees. There are just the two par-five holes, both of which appear on the back nine and look very reachable for the world’s best players today.
The full list of the world’s top 20 players are set to feature in the Open this year. as there no injuries preventing their participation. The Open champions aged 60 or under have an automatic qualification and that will include Mark O’Meara, Mark Calcavecchia and Darren Clarke.
Betting Picks & Tips – Open Championship
Source: Jared Christopher via Twitter
Sergio Garcia
Justice finally prevailed earlier this year when Sergio Garcia won his maiden Major championship. A player of that much ability had to eventually land one, and it came at Augusta. Garcia strikes the ball as well as anybody in the game, and that is exactly what is required to win the Open, as finding fairways and greens are crucial to avoid dropping shots. The Masters champion can be backed at 16/1 in the latest golf odds for the tournament and he looks to be the best value of the top ten in the betting.
Source: PGA of Australia via Twitter
Adam Scott
Some of us will still bear the scars of 2012 when Scott looked to be cruising towards his first Major Championship win going into the back nine of the Open at Lytham on the Sunday, only for Ernie Els to snatch it from his grasp. The Australian has finally got used to using a real putter and, combining some solid putting with his usually reliable driving game, he has to be a serious contender again in a tournament he consistently does well in.
Source: First Coast News via Twitter
Justin Thomas – Only two players have won on three occasions on the PGA Tour this season. One of those is Dustin Johnson, who will go off as the 9/1 favourite for the Open, while the other is Justin Thomas, who is a 40/1 chance. The bookmakers clearly have not been watching enough of the PGA Tour this season as there is no way the American should be so big to claim the Claret Jug.
Recommended Staking Plan
Sergio Garcia 16/1 (Bet365) (2 points WIN)
Adam Scott 25/1 (Bet365) (1.5 points EACH WAY)
Justin Thomas 40/1 (Bet365) (1.5 points EACH WAY)