THERE should be a thrilling finish to The Open with 10 players within three shots of the lead held by Lee Westwood.
The Englishman has performed well all week, boosted by coaching sessions from Ian Baker-Finch and Sean Foley, and is in prime position to land his first Major title.
Westwood's been there before of course but looks in control this time with his putter working well. If he can get his mental state right he should be there or thereabouts at the finish.
He leads by two from American duo Hunter Mahan and Tiger Woods and it's the latter who'll be expected to push Westie all the way.
Woods, however, has never come from behind to win a Major on the final day and I can see Westwood holding on. Mahan can't be written off but the biggest challenge may come from Adam Scott who was pipped at the post by Ernie Els last year.
Aussie Scott lies two back on level par and a good start could see him pile pressure on the top three.
It's a star-studded leaderboard with former US Open and Masters champions Angel Cabrera on one over with Zach Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Ryan Moore.
And a shot further back is my pre-tournament tip Phil Mickelson and Fernando Molinari.
Westwood is now a best 2-1 at Coral to win with Woods second favourite at 5-2 with Paddy Power. Both are too short for my liking, especially when you consider Mahan is 15-2 at Coral and might be worth an each-way punt as he's genuinely world class.
Scott will be backed at 7-1 (various) but Stenson, 22-1 (various) missed too many short putts for my liking on Saturday including one for par at the last. Cabrera and Zach Johnson are both 33-1 and Mickelson is 28-1 at Coral.
I've got a couple of each-way bets still running on Zach Johnson and Mickelson and maybe even Els who is six off the pace and could nab a top-eight finish.
Going into the final day I'm adding another runner in American Moore who is 40-1 at Ladbrokes despite sitting joint fourth. So he only needs to climb one place to provide an each-way return and although he's not as well known as some of his compatriots he is a PGA Tour winner and has been in the world's top 50 for the best part of four years.
Both my twoball tips won on Saturday thanks to Brandt Snedeker and Thomas Bjorn. Snedeker's been pretty solid the whole tournament and as he eyes a good finish I'm backing him again v veteran Stewart Cink at 8-11 with Betfred.
Scots star Martin Laird suffered more than most on Saturday. He stumbled to a nine on the third then later picked a penalty when it was claimed he'd touched his ball to identify it in the rough without telling his playing partner or rules official. It all added up to a sad 81 for a player in title contention at the start of the day and I can only see Laird's score going south on Sunday.
He faces American veteran Mark O'Meara who knows his way round a links course and I'm on him at 21-10 at boylesports.
For a third single take Els to finish well by beating Richard Sterne. Els will be eyeing a repeat of last year when he caught Scott and is 5-6 at Coral to outscore the South African.
Recommended Bets
Westwood
(2-1, Coral)
Moore ew
(40-1, Ladbrokes)
Snedeker to beat Cink (11.40am)
(8-11, Betfred)
O'Meara to beat Laird (8.55am)
(21-20, boylesports)
Els to beat Sterne (12.35pm)
(5-6, Coral)
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.
Good shout about Moore Mr F, I also added him E/W at 40/1 earlier .I have also added two Americans to get top 10 finishes Phil Mickleson & Zach Johnson both 8/13 @ Coral.
One of my antepost Selections Westwood is very much alive, as his top asian selection & top Australian although Scott is in the box seat, but as we have seen one mistake, one bad tee shot it could all change, should be a fascinating afternoon.
adam Scott top 3 finish 9/4 @SkyBet
2 ball double:
J Day to beat D Johnson @ 10/11 at 1.00pm
R Moore to beat A Cabrera @ 23/20 at 1.50pm
Scott and Westwood ew still looking good for a decent return. Also got Westwood top 10 finish which was my main bet.
Cos of the nature of this sport I can’t see a way of covering my bets – anyone any thoughts?
Knottsy, you could lay them with Betfair, that’s always an option.
Took Mr f’s tip – wee punt on Moore ew at 40’s.
C’MON PHILLLLLL or SCOTTYYYYYYYYY ;-)
your the mna Philllll…hahahaha…23/1 yesterday morning on Betfair….cheers ;-)
Guido, Phil did great. That’s two years running I’ve picked The Open winner.
Nice one Paul ;)
Nice profit for me also. 2 ew winners and 14/5 for Westwood top 10. Would have been great if Westwood or Scott had won but can’t complain!!
I stopped watching when Stenson took the lead but he finished second and Zach 6th so a profit was made. Golf is better for my profit book than football it seems.
Fantastic round..66 in those conditions…maybe one if the best ever finishing rounds id think? TBH i think the way to go with golf, especiually in the majors is watch how the first couple of rounds go and then plunge in. Phil was down to 16/1 before the off and i thot that was a bit skinny and so left it to see how he went/drifted and turned out OK and he went to 23/1 then went in when I thought he still had a shout. Adam Scott n Jason Day worth punting for years to come, Mcillroy will come back once he gets Caroline’s triangle oot of his head n concentrates on golf!!
Guido, I like to do two or three on the outrights but you’re about going after the cut then just keeping an eye on the in-play betting. You can get some big prices for guys just a few shots off the lead.
Good way to finish a weekend of golf with Poulter e/w at 60’s
Also won my medal and club champ qualifier with a -3 (68) yesterday. Happy Days!
Willie, I backed you. What price were you?
8s !!!
Made a mockery of them!!
Interestingly Paul, I know of a golf course where the Pro used to give every member 4/1 that they got a handicap cut that day. Max £20 bets. Wish oors done that!!!
Willie, most folk go up so he’d have done well. On our pro’s day he bets players won’t hit the par-3 9th and he usually cleans up.