THE OPEN has always been a minefield for punters but the fact up to eight places (BetVictor) are being offered means with dead heats you've got a chance of a return if your man finishes top nine or even 10.
Barring hot favourite Tiger Woods – who has been out injured since the US Open a month ago – every player in the top 50 in the anteposts is worth an each-way punt.
You can't back them all of course but I've picked out four or five I hope will give us a run for our money. Muirfield is the venue for this season's extravaganza and it's a course that brings back happy memories to defending champions Ernie Els.
The South African star triumphed the last time the tournament was held on the Lothian track in 2002 and of course won at Lytham last year.
Els was a surprise champion but has since showed he's out to compete for more Majors with a tied fourth finish in the US Open last month.
He followed that with victory in the BMW International Open in Munich and at 25-1 with BetVictor should give us a great each-way chance.
Els loves links golf and has recorded nine top-five and 13 top-10 Open finishes which is a remarkable record and he's one who won't fret if the wind blows.
Another man synonomous with Major wins is Justin Rose who finished fourth in The Open in 1998 as an amateur. The Englishman immediately turned pro and famously missed 21 cuts in a row.
His recovery from that traumatic start to his career was complete when he won the US Open at Merion. Rose is now on the radar for big tournaments and with Muirfield a happy hunting ground he could go close to landing back-to-back Majors. He is second favourite at 16-1 with BetVictor.
Third in the betting is Adam Scott (22-1, Paddy Power) and he of course came close last year while Graeme McDowell (25-1, various) will have backers after his French Open triumph a fortnight ago. His pal Rory McIlroy is the same price at Coral but his struggle with Nike clubs continue and he'd be a surprise contender on current form.
My third each-way pick is Phil Mickelson after being impressed at the way he won the Scottish Open on Sunday. It's tough taking back-to-back victories but the popular American hardly broke sweat at Castle Stuart as he combined a family holiday with some links golf and a win at the end of the week.
Mickelson's Open record is a poor but he looks like a man on a mission and even has five greens in his garden with different types of grass so he can practise when he's at home in California. Mickelson has been cut all week and is now 18-1 at BetVictor.
Other contenders include Jason Day and Charl Schwartzel while sentimental fans would love to see the likes of Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia contend – but Els could make history and defend his crown.
Recommended Bets
Els 25-1 ew
Rose 16-1 ew
Mickelson 18-1 ew
(BetVictor 8 places)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
The open is one of my favourite events of any summer, and I’ve been fortunate to have been to a few opens over the years and the atmosphere is always electic were ever its played. Ive got a super 6 to follow which Im putting up each way aswell as a top Asian and top Australian, so even if your pick is way behind hopefully you can have interest going into the weekend.
SUPER SIX (odds Betvictor 8 places)
Mcdowell 22/1
Westwood 25/1
Oosthuizen 55/1
Bjorn 60/1
Simpson 70/1
Hass 80/1
TOP AUSTRALIAN
JASON DAY 11/4 @ CORAL
TOP ASIAN
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA 13/2 @ LADBROKES
Good luck if your having a bet
Hi!here are my four players one or two who may get a top 5 finish:
Single To Win
Zach Johnson @ 16/1Top 5 FinishOpen
142nd Open Championship – Top 5 Finish
Stake: £1.00Potential Returns: £17.00
Single To Win
Francesco Molinari @ 16/1Top 5 FinishOpen
142nd Open Championship – Top 5 Finish
Stake: £1.00Potential Returns: £17.00
Single To Win
Stephen Gallacher @ 28/1Top 5 FinishOpen
142nd Open Championship – Top 5 Finish
Stake: £1.00 Potential Returns: £29.00
Single To Win
Stewart Cink @ 40/1Top 5 FinishOpen
142nd Open Championship – Top 5 Finish
Stake: £1.00Potential Returns: £41.00
Stake £4.00 Potential Return £104 .00
Gone with:
1. G McDowell
2. P Mickelson
3. M Kaymer
4. N Colsaerts
I also like Bill Haas and Jamie Donaldson in the specialist markets
Bruce, it’s tough, pretty wide open, but I’m hoping to get a run for my money.
Has all the makings of a great tournament
I was fortunate to play the course last month and it is superb but the rough is brutal
If I remember correctly, you tipped The Big easy last year?
I haven’t backed him but I think he will go close again
Bruce – whit were ya doing in the ruff…us Scots keep in on the short stuff…its a lot easier. ;-) Its a wonder ya got through the front door of Muirfield..great course but run by stuck up snobs. Personally widna gave them a brass farthing to play their course.
Bruce, I did tip Els last year and really fancy him to go strongly again, hopefully top eight anyway for a return.
Didnt you make it past the open qualifier at Dalmuir this year then Paul?…dizzzappointing for ya :-) I said a few weeks back fancy Jason Day to run a big race. Phillllll be confident after last week, Ernie n Scott should be in the mix. Duffner at a wee bit bigger odds has be chapping on the door and Stephen Gallacher a nice big price considering hes from around Lothian/should be used to the conditions/course. As a 200/1 outsider Graham Delaet has been very consistent this year, maybe not a winner but a chance of a e/w or top ten
Guido
Agree but got an invite so jumped at the opportunity!
Freebie so wanted to play the course
Going there on Friday to watch the action!
Bruce, quite right to play the course, looks great.
I’m goin against everyone and every feeling in my head lol
Rory mcilroy 28/1 paddypower
Really no idea why, his form has been shocking and is continuously missing cuts, but he’s a cocky wee kid and he won’t like the bad press and Faldo comments and really if he finds his form and has his day he could destroy the field. I just don’t know when you will get this price again. Everyone I know is all over tiger but I’m goin with Rory and am goin with a £25 Ew for the 7 places. Few longshot places too:
Scott stallings 250/1 £2 Ew
Bernd wiesberger 150/1 £2 Ew
Matteo mannasero 66/1 £5 Ew
US and OPEN
Summerhays 22/1 and Rory 28/1 £2 Ew dbl
M Scott, Rory’s certainly got the ability, just needs to get to grips with his Nike clubs and focus fully on his game and he’ll be OK.
Accidently backed bjorn without clickin e/w.pffftt
Skybet priceboost – 14/5 for Westwood top 10 finish. Gonna be my main bet.
Also took Scott each way although lately the majors have beer a bit of a lottery.
first time betting on the golf
had a wee look through things, don’t really understand much of the info available… anyway here goes:
4 e/w bets on
martin laird @100/1 (Scottish, someone to cheer on. Looks like best sottish golfer right now?
hunter mahon @ 70/1
billy horschel @ 80/1
boo weekly @ 175/1
not much reasoning here really other than a bit of reading and looking through stats. just playing for interest :)
smokeit34, any of those guys could finish top 10 if they have a good week. Laird is top Scot at the moment and probably out best chance.
rick, if you did it with one of the main bookmakers online try live chat if they have it, tell them you clicked it by accident. worked for me before and also managed to cancel misplaced bets minutes before the off
Thx smokeit
B Grace 70/1
L Oosthuizen 66/1
I Poulter 60/1
M Siem 200/1
My 4 early e/w punts. Will do my usual 3 ball betting on Sat, and throw in another couple of win bets on Sat also. Love the Open – superb coverage all weekend.