Look to Scottish open for clues for British Open winner

This Thursday sees the start of the 142nd Open Championship with Muirfield the host for the 16th time and Tiger Woods is the 10/1 (GENERAL) favourite. Woods supporters can look to the three great rounds he played here in 2002 and also to the similarities in the course to Hoylake where he won in 2006. Woods critics will point to the third round 81 in 2002 here as well the fact the American has not played since his elbow injury at the US Open.

One player that we know is in form and has no injury worries is Phil Mickelson. The American was a winner at the Scottish Open which was his fourth top three finish in his last six starts. Mickelson has never won the Open and has just one top 15 finish from his last seven starts. He did though finish tied second in 2011 and this venue will suit him especially if the wind stays down. In the form he is in it makes sense to side with him each-way at 20/1 with STAN JAMES who are among the firms paying seven places. BETVICTOR are paying eight places though just have Mickelson at 18s. Justin Rose is also 20/1 (GENERAL) in the betting as he looks to complete the US Open and British Open double a result that would surely put pressure on Andy Murray in the betting for Sports Personality of the Year. Rose though does not have a great open record since bursting on the scene as a 17-year-old amateur in 1999.

Adam Scott is a 25/1 (ladbrokes) chance and many will look to his performance last year when he seemed on course to win before a late collapse. Since then the Australian has won the US Masters and will be a lot more confident having got that monkey off his back. Scott will need the rain like last year to be a factor though.

Graeme McDowell has to be respected at 25/1 (GENERAL) as he has won three events in the last few months (Heritage, World Matchplay and the Open de France). He also has three top 25 finishes from the last five Opens including a third. Rory McIlroy is a 28/1 (GENERAL) chance and if the wind stays down there is arguably no finer links player. Sadly though his form has been terrible recently.

Sergio Garcia at 33/1 (ladbrokes) is another expected to be in the mix especially if the wind picks up. The Spaniard has missed the top 20 only twice this year and has eight top 15 finishes in the Open including an eighth here in 2002.

Lee Westwood at 33/1 (ladbrokes) and Luke Donald at 35/1 (CORAL) will have their supporters on the course but off the course a betting case can not be made for them. Both players are out form and seem to have a mental problem when it comes to winning majors.

The second selection is Branden Grace who at 66/1 (bet365/paddy Power/STAN JAMES) looks each-way value. The South African is a great links player with three Tour wins at links venue. He is in good form having just lost to Mickelson in a play-off at Castle Stuart and could follow Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen as South African Open winners.

The third and final selection is Mikko Illonen a player in good form this year with two wins and two seconds on the Tour. The Finn is a good links player who came tied 16th at Hoylake in 2006 in a venue similar to this. He looks great each-way value at 125/1 (GENERAL).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Phil Mickelson, EW, 20/1 (STAN JAMES)
SILVER: Branden Grace, EW, 66/1 (bet365/paddy Power/STAN JAMES)
BRONZE: Mikko Illonen, EW, 125/1 (GENERAL)

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18/07/2013     © Frixo 2026