The Open Championship Preview

Justin Rose is the 12/1 favourite with bet365 for the 143rd renewal of the Open Championship which gets underway Thursday morning. The Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake is the venue for the 12th time.

Rose is the man in form with recent back-to-back victories at Congressional and the Scottish open. The Englishman is a worthy favourite though for those looking to oppose him there are reasons to do so. Rose has not finished in the top ten in the Open in the last 14 years suggesting links tournaments are not his strength. In addition winning three events in a row is such a rarity that you have to think that the law of averages are against him here.

Rory McIlroy is among three men tied for second favourite at 16/1. McIlroy is another who has to be respected although he might not relish the seaside links course. The Northern Irishman does not have a great record at the Open with a tied third in 2010 and a tied 25th in 2011 his only top 40 finishes so I would stay clear of Rory.

Henrik Stenson is also a 16/1 shot and the Swede is the nearly man of this event with three top finishes from the last five. bet365 are paying out SEVEN places each-way which is an exellent offer and the Swede could reward punters looking to side with him there though again he is not for me. Adam Scott at the same price (16/1) is the headline selection after coming tied for eighth at this course in 2006. The Australian won the crowne Plaza at the end of May and since then has finished tied fourth in the Memorial and tied ninth in the US Open. Scott is a big tournament player with previous at the course and a hunger for success and he has to be one you have in your portfolio.

Tiger Woods is a 22/1 shot to lift the trophy at the course he did so in 2006. Woods might just attract some interest with the way he played the course in 2006 that being said the American has had a lot of injuries and you are taking a risk that is fitness and form come together. I could not put anyone off backing him, though he is not for me.

Also a 22/1 shot is Phil Mickelson who is the defending champion after his success at Muirfield. Lefty is always one to respect though two missed cuts from his last six outings are enough for me to look elsewhere at the moment though keep an eye on him in running.

US Open champion Martin Kaymer is also 22/1 and if he plays three quarters as well as he did when lifting that trophy he could land this. The German will note doubt be looking to follow on from the success of the football team in the World Cup and has to be respected.

The final player at 22/1 is Sergio Garcia though can the Spaniard ever really win that big one? Though there would be no more popular winner I would not be wanting to put my money on him winning that elusive major even though he did come tied fifth here in 2006.

I like the look of Jim Furyk at 60/1 with bet365 especially as this is a player who has finished in the top twenty in all bar one of his last nine tournaments. The American has two seconds finishes and two top twenties from his last five appearances and was fourth at the course in 2006 so looks one to get on your side. At even bigger prices I like the look of Michael Hoey at 150/1 who loves a links course and the Northern Irishman has two top ten finishes from his last four starts and could reward each-way players with that SEVEN places offer from bet365.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Adam Scott, EW, 16/1, BET365
Jim Furyk, EW, 60/1, BET365
Michael Hoey, EW, 150/1, BET365

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18/07/2014     © Frixo 2024