WHO would have thought the second Ashes Test would have finished before The Open! That's how it is after England's cricketers caved in the Aussies at Lord's while at St Andrews play is extended to Monday for only the second time in the tournament's 144-year history.
It was all change at the of the leaderboard on Sunday with Dustin Johnson starting out with a one-shot lead and shooting a second worst of the day 75 in benign conditions that produced a birdie blitz from most of the players.
Johnson was 2-1 favourite overnight but is out to 55-1 at Betfred and bet365 after finishing with three bogeys to fall five off the pace set by Louis Oosthuizen, Jason Day and amateur Paul Dunne. Jordan Spieth is a further shot behind with two-time winner Padraig Harrington two off the pace.
At the start of play Ace Venturer and I had the top four in the betting on our anteposts but now it's two of my picks – Spieth and Oosthuizen – who head the market.
Masters and US Open champion Spieth is back to where he started at the head of the market and is a best 11-4 at Stan James. I hope he or Oosty (15-4, Unibet) lift the Claret Jug but no one within four or five shots can be ruled out.
It's the biggest day in the life of Irish amateur Dunne but the US student handled the pressure of leading The Open impressively yesterday and I don't expect him to collapse. Going out in the final group with Oosthuizen, who he played with on Sunday, should help him relax a bit. Still, he is as big as 21-1 at Betway.
Day is 4-1 at Betfred and Adam Scott, in a group of nine players including Justin Rose three behind, is 20-1 at BetVictor and Coral.
My Friday twoball treble was beaten by one of my favourite players Hideki Matsuyama but I'm having another go on Monday. First up it's Indian star Anirban Lahiri against Scot Paul Lawrie. The former Open champion was in contention until a nightmare finish on Sunday and his body languag suggested he was shot to bits – rising star Lahiri looks big at 11-8.
Add Zach Johnson to finish well and outscore England's Danny Willett who was hanging on in the final group on Sunday and like Johnson failed to take advantage of no wind.
Complete the treble with Rose against veteran star Retief Goosen. Rose remains in contention with back-to-back 68s while Goosen is three under over his last two rounds after opening with a super 66.
1pt Treble
Lahiri bt Lawrie (11.55am)
Z Johnson bt Willett (1.30pm)
Rose bt Goosen (1.50pm)
(13-2, BetVictor, McBookie)
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.
Mr F – can’t argue with your reasoning for the treble but think Willett may just stick around tomorrow.
If leader board stays as it is I will be a happy man. Oostie, Rose, Padraig and Spieth will all bring some fair dubloons in…combination of outrights/e/w’s and top 10 finish.
HullShaker, to be fair anyone can win any of these twoballs – on their day they are all great players. Looked like Willett was feeling a bit of pressure today and takes a lot to get over the line in a Major as Dustin Johnson is finding out.
Looking forward to a cracker tomorrow whatever happens Mr F…off work this week and sorely tempted to travel up but was greeted with the face of death when mooted with Mrs.Hull..alas but will enjoy on the telly…bloody tight leaderboard.
HullShaker, I fancied going back up but playing instead – should be off about 2.30pm which is perfect timing to catch the leaders going out.
Only one man to win
JOrdan spieth 11/4 win 200 on
Think Speith winning would be best all round for the game. The hype going into the USPGA would be phenomenal with nobody ever doing the calendar grand slam.
Game also needs a strong character at the top of the game since Tiger’s demise, Speith looks like he’ll be in contention every time he plays.
Just as the Open reaches its climax, one of the biggest amateur Open starts in Lossiemoth, the 5 day Moray Open with 366 competitors playing a qualifying round on each course, starting at 7 am this morning. Handicaps ranging from +2 to 25 are taking part with 32 qualifiers in each section – scratch, low handicap and high handicap. All match play is played on the Old course, with a Stableford on Wednesday and Bogey on Thursday on the New course for non qualifiers.
The actual name on the scratch trophy is the North of Scotland Amateur golf champion, usually entries are full up by mid January.
Oh, and by the way, come on Jordan!!
Harrington at 20/1 has to be a great value bet .He has done it before and only 2 shots off the lead well in the mix.
I was thinking of doing a small wager on Scott or Harrington…. looks like my main man Zach is going to need some help from the weather to get a place. If it stays like yesterday then the top boys are sure to stay there.
Still got three in with a shout Spieth outright win , day and oosty e/w surely got to be looking good there and also ree and walker still going with outside chances of ew finish
The wind and rain coming today..still wont stop juggernaut Jordan..what a player,was putting for birdie on nearly everyhole yesterday..could have distanced himself from field..with hot putter on front 9..sorted that problem..back 9 ..have oosthuizen too..need zach jonson/peperell to finish top 20…for doubles in pga tour too..off work today so dlnt let me down guys..
I find this a really tough one to call, I was surprised by Dustin’s demise yesterday as he was looking solid. Day has been playing confidently and that will be a major aspect today..excuse the pun;)So he’s the one for me. As for two balls I agree with Lahiri and Zac J, I’m adding Kaymer for a 6ish/1 treble as I feel Goosey may turn Rose over today.
Good luck everyone is this minefield today.
In play bet
Will there be a play off – YES
13/8 Betvictor
9 players within a shot of each other? Cracking bet at that odds!
AL, just settling down to watch the finish – play-off must have a chance but I’m going out tonight so could do without an extra hours golf.
Think you may well be right there AL…Johnson flying at the minute though.
Managed to get Zac at 33/1 a few holes back:) £10EW. Interesting 2/3 hours ahead
Tom Ninety, that’s decent – just hit his first bad shot of the day though.
My 2 quid ew at 500/1 on Kuchar up sh*t creek,but got 33’s on Garcia yesterday before start of play.Looking good :)
My pre-tournament pick of Schwartzel is keeping me interested NOT lol…..6 over for the day,last 6 holes ————->>>>> bogey ,,par ,,par ,,bogey ,,bogey ,,Dbl bogey………..mmmmmmm,can safely say my bet is down,aw well,Sergio Garcia to save the day,,,,,,,C’Mon son :) :) :) :) :)
He is that Hullshaker, going to be tough for anyone to pull away from a chasing pack as big as that though. Should at very least get a good run for my money. Will cover if someone goes 2-3 infront with a few holes left to play
Would love to see Sergio Garcia win this,
Good recovery from Spieth after his double bogy on the 8th. 2 off the pace so still in with a good chance himself
Whatever happens I think most peoples bets are in with a shot so will be entertaining whichever way it goes
LOUIS!!! BEAUTY of a putt…hope that kicks him back in gear.
Got another 100 on spieth at 10/1
ALL or nothing
The trebl looks guid mr f. Am on
Managed to get a nice 5 timer in with your treble Mr F along with Fowler to beat Bowditch and Reed to beat Palmer..
Lossie Jim, well done.
Nice treble up there Mr F, just need Louis to score par or over here for my playoff bet to come in
AL, cheers. Hoping Oosty wins play-off but covered Zach and Leishman a bit earlier.
Fancy him to do it. Not backing him though, just going to sit back & enjoy the playoff now
Great shot, looks like he’ll birdie it
Nice treble Mr fixit cheers dude
Had it in my head he was tied on -15 under. Playoff bet wins regardless if Louis sinks this or not.
Well in. 3 way playoff, fancy Day to sneak this for some reason
Louis I meant not Day
Got Johnson e/w at 100/1 pre tournament & 33/1 yesterday so sorry Louis fans lol!!!
Cover by backing Louis to win. It’s between the 2 of them now
As Johnson finished equal first is my bet a winner or does it depend on the playoff? Surely its first past the post…
Balls!!!
Well done Zach ya beauty!!!!!
Great finish though!!
Well done the guys on zac, good tipping all round, Your pretty good Mr.f on the two ball betting keep it up
Smiler, only one of the nine twoballs I put up lost so it wasn’t bad.
Had a fiver e/w 25-1 on oosty so few quid back.
Get in Zac, had Leisham ew too so was freerolling after covering. Nice 200 profit on a difficult tourny to call
Well done lads and all winners.
Always great value for money on the golf bets if picked right.
Made a profit but nowhere near what it could have been if Louis had won and Padraig didn’t see a nightmare finish.
Went all or nothing on spieth.
Ah well.
Need to take a break from this n get my life back on track. Its just giving bookies free money is what im at.
Good luck Paul, getting a job will help. Like Ian I had Zac but got 150/1 ;)
Whatever !!!!!!
Can I say well done Zach Johnson. Has there ever have been a better deserved 100/1 winner….
…for me!