I WAS eyeing a golden double on Sunday with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood challenging for the lead going into the final rounds of the John Deere Classic and Scottish Open respectively.
But first round and halfway leader Thomas and the rest of the field were blown away by this week's Open favourite Jordan Spieth while Fleetwood never recovered from opening with a double bogey at Gullane on Sunday and finished one shot outside a place.
Thomas at least bagged three birdies in the last four holes to finish tied fifth and earn me a place.
This week the grand old lady of golf is calling and the top golfers from around the world are here to take part with the exception of Rory McIlroy.
On the Old Course at St Andrews being long and accurate off the tee combined with solid putting will be important to winning and that points to the sensational Spieth lifting his third Major of the season. But for me he is too short at best 27-4 with 10bet.
He's paired in rounds one and two with Dustin Johnson whose three-putt at the last handed Spieth the US Open title last month.
However, you won't be surprised to hear I'm giving Dustin another chance. His putting let him down at the US Open but I’m still of the opinion he has a Major in him.
If he has got over his abhoration on the 72nd hole at Chambers Bay – although playing alongside Spieth won't help him forget – I think the big hitter can post four low scores on the Old Course and win the Claret Jug.
Adam Scott had a T4 finish in the US Open and had caddie Steve Williams back on the bag which obviously gave him a lift. In 2012 he finished T2 to Ernie Els after looking a winner with three holes to play.
His last three years at The Open have finished T2, T3 and T5 and looks a lot happier with Williams on his bag as the New Zealander will keep him focused on getting over the line.
Last week I placed some bets as I thought prices would tumble on players’ form in the Scottish Open. One was Rickie Fowler.
He had a disastrous US Open, failing to make the cut after a horrendous 81 in the first round but in the Scottish Open he grabbed the title on the last green from Matt Kuchar. Mr Fixit and myself followed Fowler on Friday for a few holes and he impressed me enough to lay a small wager on him for St Andrews.
Maybe he can do a Phil Mickelson and win the Scottish Open and follow up with The Open a week later.
Another player who I liked close up was Fleetwood. He is such a compact player and although he fell away a bit on the Sunday he has the game to win at St Andrews – but does he have the mentality or the bottle?
His last four scores over the Old Course in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship when he finished T2 and 5th are 65, 67, 62 and 68. He knows his way around the course. He had a T27th in the US Open so hopefully won't be overawed by the occasion. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he finishes in top 10 but hopefully higher. Paddy Power tempt me with Fleetwood to finish in the top 20 at 5-2.
Again you’ll not be surprised I’m picking Paul Casey after five top fives this season and driving accuracy around 65%. I remember him playing at St Andrews in 2010 when Louis Oosthuizen (Mr Fixit's tip I believe) blew the field away.
After triple bogeying the 17th in the second round he came back out on the Saturday and had five birdies on the front nine. Unfortunately being four behind the South African was just too much and he pushed too hard and triple bogeyed the 12th and that was that. Don’t know why I still like him as I had backed him to win that year although I can’t believe he’s only 30-1 on Paddy Power but you can get 40s elsewhere.
Kuchar was rocky steady at Gullane last week and almost won so Paddy's 60-1 looks too big – he can place and the likes of the Irish firm and McBookie are going seven places.
Recommended Bets
D Johnson 2.5pts ew (12-1, Paddy Power, McBookie)
Scott 1.5pts ew (25-1, 888sport)
Fowler 1.5pts ew (18-1, bet365, Betfred)
Fleetwood 0.5pts ew (80-1, Betfred, Ladbrokes)
Fleetwood 2pts top-20 finish (5-2, Paddy Power)
Casey 0.5pts ew (40-1, Betfred)
Ace Venturer
Regarding St Andrews Open this week,this competition ( not course ) has been won by only 3 nationalities in the past 14 years.
—————————
American
South African
Irish
Now as Rory is out injured,the Irish contingent can be disregarded.
Top American has to be Jordan Spieth,although imo,i think he wont cut the mustard with the good old scottish weather,just my opinion.
Lots of other USA players can win with the skills they have.
This leaves South Africa.Ernie Els,Oosty & Schwartzel,Aitken & Coetzee,maybe more ,i could have missed them.
My PICK is Charl Schwartzel…..7th last year & is around 80/1 – 100/1 in the betting markets.
nalazus, I’m on Oosthuizen and a few others – I’ll put up some tips before it starts.
My men for St.Andrews..speith 40 (ante post)..matsuyama oosty snedeker fowler fleety..will do nicely for me..another good week..had double on fowler/speith on friday night.. £5 paid .. £103..a few places here n there too..lee unlucky penalty stroke cost him play off at least.
Nice write-up Ace – getting excited ahead of Thursday…love The Open.
Got to shortlist my shortlist and will put up my fancies later.
Like Mr F, Louis Oost will be one of my front-runners.
Great write up Mr Fix it. I love the golf too, however, I don’t know enough about the betting elements of the game. I’ll follow some of the tips provided, thanks
I’ll do a few of those tips they look good but my first £2.50 ew is on Zach Johnson at 100/1.
Casey and oosty are my main ew bets. Have also gone small on fowler…he’s bound to win a major eventually!
Morning gents,
So…shortlist of: Spieth, Rose, Fowler, Scott, Johnson, Fleetwood, Oosthuizen and Koepka. Have to shorten it further though!
I will be backing each of the following e/w – well worth shopping around…I believe BF are paying 8 places these prices are Coral:
ROSE E/W at around 25/1
OOSTHUIZEN E/W at around 24/1
FLEETWOOD E/W at around 90/1
Will also be backing each to finish in the top 10…pays 7/4…9/4 and 6/1 respectively.
Good luck lads.
HullShaker, I like the look of a lot of those. If you’re backing guys to finish top 10 you’d better doing them each way on the 8 or 7 places and there are likely to be ties too. Each way will probably give you a better return than top 10.
I like the look of Kaymer, I know his form isn’t the greatest but he knows how to win at st Andrews and also has a couple of majors in the bag. Also his caddie knows st Andrews very well as he was on talk sport at the weekend
Kuchar grace dustbin and schwartzel for me this week
Jimron, I’ll put some thoughts later but Kuchar ew is a big price but Oosthuizen is my main bet. Fowler growing on me but I have a nagging feeling it’s there for Spieth if he can take it but he’s such a short price I’d rather hunt for ew value.
Cheers Mr F – duly noted and thanks for that!
Good luck with your round this afternoon…hope the weather better up there…grim here.
Garcia Scott oosty and dj main boys for me.
Going for Fleetwood and tiger( yes really) as decent ew options I think, tho it is so open atm u could probably throw in rose day and possibly another of the over 40s brigade into the mix as well. Should be a great 4 days hopefully with the bookies well and truly pumped by the end of it
Got a free £20 bet from Skybet so stuck it on Speith to win at 7/1, also did a few small e/w bets
Ricky Fowler @ 16/1
Matt Kuchar @ 50/1
Patrick Reed @ 50/1
Brandt Snedeker @ 50/1
Luke Donald @ 80/1
I can’t see past an American winner and was going to do “lefty” e/w also, but decided to plump for a non-American and noted Donald coming back to a bit of form.
I think it’s also worth noting that at least the last four winners of The Open have played in the Scottish Open the week before.
I can’t see past Speith myself, the guy is red hot at the moment but it did disappoint that he chose not to play in the Scottish Open last week. Hopefully that will open the door for others. Also do like Oosty – he loves it round St Andrews so will be on him e/w.
Mr F in answer to your question last week – I’ve just had the nod for St Andrews this weekend! Flying up early Sat am returning late Sun night. Would love to buy you a beer so let me know your movements. Sat arvo / eve? Jigger Inn Sunday lunch?
Nick Bishop, to be honest if I’m going it will probably be Thursday. Reckon it will be mayhem at the weekend and might be better watching it on the telly. If those plans change I’ll let you know.
No competition this time mrf quite enjoyed it at last two majors
Eye on the prize, admin on holiday that’s why. Hopefully do one for the US PGA and there will be loads of good prizes to give away when the site changes soon.
Luke Donald 80/1
Fowler (being talked up a lot by Mickelson)
Mickelson – if poor weather (strong winds forecast Friday) I think he will do well …
Johnson
Casey
Rose all e/w
Golf – open
Just been on oddschecker
betfair – open offer new customer 15/1 spieth to win
( read the small print before you dive in )
coral – new customer offer – spieth to finish in top 10
( read the small print before you dive in )
If anyone is interested
Last week was disappointing as zach Johnson looked like being a 10/1 winner if you believe the in play odds, I didn’t see final round live as mrs controlled tv but all in play betting had zach odds on to win as he was one shot behind and speith was 6/1 with about 5 holes to play but my boy couldn’t get it done and left me wondering why I didn’t cover with speith. My other 2 boys stricker started well and faded and can’t remember how finau finished but wasn’t good. Had Russell knox in Scottish open at 66/1 and coming into final round was in top ten but you know your pick ain’t doing good when no tv time, knox had shocker in last round. On we go to open
Have decided to stick with European golfers this week for winner and first Rd leader. From what I understand morning guys will get best of conditions so am putting few quid on first Rd leader
Russel knox 125/1 at coral
Shane lowry 50/1 at coral
Justin Rose 30/1 at coral
To win tournament am on stenson 25/1 as he good links player came 2nd in 2013 and was 3rd last time open was here
Martin kaymer 40/1 has played well here in past, good links course player so hopefully will find his touch
Outsider for week victor dubison 75/1
Played well last year in couple of majors and again has form on links courses
Done speith to win
And ew on day , walker , reed , dubison and oosthuzien
And had a wee dabble at kuchar first round leader at 80s
GL all
Lee Westwood 80/1
My head is bursting trying to narrow down my picks,so just decided to go with players who have won me money this season.
M.KUCHAR 45/1
B.SNEDEKER 50/1
Z.JOHNSON 100/1
M.A.JIMINEZ 150/1
FLEETWOOD TOP 20 Finish 3/1@Ladbrokes, good luck everybody and enjoy the golf!
Let the “real men” step forward now..playtime is over..30 to 40 mph winds.and rain .mmm..only time will tell who that suits..late starts 2mrw defo bettr half of draw..well done dons in footy..nobody gave u a sniff..but i did..nice wee profit