Golf: Mr Fixit’s Open Championship Tips

BIRKDALE is likely to see a right Royal battle in what looks the widest-open Open for years.

No golfer has dominated this season and both Majors have been taken by first-time Grand Slam champions.

Sergio Garcia triumphed at the Masters and Brooks Koepka at the US Open to make it seven new Major champions in a row.

Most of my outrights will be placed at halfway and while prices will be shorter at least you'll get a run for your money.

So will Birkdake throw up No.8 or will one of the old guard take the spoils?

Three of the top six in the world rankings have suffered injury problems this season and I'm discounting Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.

Hideki Matsuyama has quietly crept up to world No.2 and finished second to Koepka at Erin Hills.

It's only a matter of time before the Japanese star bags a Major and it could be this week. He has finished top 11 in his last three Slams and was sixth on his Open debut at Muirfield in 2013. Matsuyama is a best 22-1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill.

Jordan Spieth is many bookies' favourites and crucially won last time out at the Travelers. Five of the last seven Birkdale champs had a season's victory under their belts before seeting foot in Southport.

However, only one of the previous six Open champs haven't had a links warm-up in Ireland or Scotland so that goes against Spieth. But if his putter is hot he may justify backers' faith at 16-1 with Ladbrokes.

Koepka started his career in Europe and has a top-10 Open finish at St Andrews. He's got no weaknesses and will feel comfortable on the big stage after last months's success.

Not many people win back-to-back Majors but the young American has a chance of going well at 40-1 at Ladbrokes.

Another player who should win multiple Majors is Jon Rahm. It's been a great couple of weeks for Spanish players with his win in Ireland followed by Rafa Cabrera-Bello's smash-and-grab job at Dundonald.

Softish conditions at Portstewart turned the Irish Open into a birdiefest with Rahm romping to victory on 25 under par. Birkdale will play tougher but Rahm's a brilliant ball striker who should go well. He is a best 18-1 at McBookie.

At bigger prices I wouldn't rule out former champion Phil Mickelson at 50-1 with Ladbrokes and 2008 Birkdale winner Padraig Harrington at 66-1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill.

Recent PGA Tour winner Xander Schauffele interests at 200-1 and at that price he can be backed at 13-2 with McBooke to finish top 20.

Of the home players local lad Tommy Fleetwood is most fancied at 25-1 with Ladbrokes but I'm not sure if he's ready to land a Major or handle the pressure on a course he knows like the back of his hand.

Top Englishman at 9-2 with Betfred could be a better bet with only Justin Rose shorter at 4-1.

There are seven Scots in the field and Martin Laird is 10-3 with Paddy Power to finish highest but I prefer Richie Ramsay at 4-1 at Betfred.

Other specials I'm interested include Matthieu Pavon to be top Frenchman at 12-5 with Betfred after his third-place finish at Dundonald.

Mark O'Meara looks worth an each-way bet (three places) at 40-1 with BetStars to be top senior in a field of eight where Steve Stricker and Tom Lehman are the favourites.

12pt Staking Plan

2pts ew Matsuyama

1pt ew Koepka

1pt win Rahm

0.5pt ew Harrington

1pt Schauffele top 20

1pt Pavon top French

1pt ew O'Meara top senior

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