Golf: The Open Championship preview and odds

Golf - The Open Championship preview and odds

July 14, 2016 - Royal Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland.

The third and oldest of golf`s four major tournaments will get under way at Royal Troon in Scotland this week, but who will prevail in the 145th edition of this prestigious event?

Can DJ continue his impressive run

This par 71, 7,064 yard links course last hosted the Open back in 2004 when Todd Hamilton was crowned champion after a playoff.

History shows that driving length and accuracy are important here but as with all links courses, those big drives need to be backed up by intelligent green play and precision putting. It is also worth noting that a significant number of recent winners have warmed up by competing at the Scottish Open rather than flying in from elsewhere at the start of the week.

World No. 1 Jason Day is still in great form and was a contender in this event last year. Any player who has performed as well as he has over the last 12 months must be considered. Definitely one for the shortlist.

Likewise, Dustin Johnson`s credentials must be respected here. He is aiming for his third-straight win and arrives as US Open champion. His game is suited to links golf and he has come close before, having finished 2nd in 2011 and ninth in 2012.

There will be plenty of support for Rory McIlroy as he attempts to repeat his feat of two years ago when he bagged his first Open title. The Northern Irishman has not had a great year by his usual standards but he did pull a spectacular performance out of the bag to secure the Irish Open title a few weeks back.

Jordan Spieth has stumbled slightly since bursting onto the scene two years ago and dominating the game in 2015. He may not have many Open Championship appearances under his belt but he was fourth last year, aged just 21, and should not be ruled out. His short game is looking good but he will need all that and more to challenge here. If he can drive as well as he did for most of last year and maintain his short game, he will be in with a chance.

Outside of those four, Henrik Stenson is looking well-priced and could be worth and each-way shout. He is driving well, has a recent European Tour win under his belt and has finished in the top-10 of nine majors including a second place in this event three years ago.

Another long-priced contender worth looking at is Phil Mickleson. He missed the cut at the Masters and the US Open but has finished in the top 10 on five occasions this season - and of course, he won this event just three years ago at Muirfield. The five-time major winner arrives here in good shape after carding a 66 in the final round of the Scottish Open last week. If Lefty can carry that momentum into to Royal Troon, he could stand a real chance.

Betting predictions

Dustin Johnson will start as favourite and rightly so. He comes into this as a major champion, having won his last two events and he is well worth backing at 9/1.

For an outside bet at a big price, look at the veteran left-hander Phil Mickleson. Few players have put as much time and effort into mastering links golf throughout their careers as the five-time former Major winner. He looked good in Scotland last weekend when shooting a final round 66 and can be backed at 40/1 each-way to finish in the top six.

You can back Dustin Johnson to win at 9/1 with Bet365.

You can back Phil Mickleson at 40/1 each-way with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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14/07/2016     © Frixo 2024