Its all down to putting..
Seventeen hours from now Craig Parry will hit the first shot of the 2008 British Open at Royal Birkdale.
Some ex winners in this years field include the last winner of the Open here Mark O'Meara (1000/1), Tom Watson (1000/1) whos last major win was here, everyones favourite John Daly (500/1) and Scotlands last winner Paul Lawrie (250/1) not forgetting last years playoff winner Padreig Harrington (18/1).
Birkdale not being the longest course has some of the tightest fairways and small greens of any of the Major courses and i think over the next four days putting will be the key to victory.
If the wind blows then were going to see some big scores and maybe an over par winner but if its calm then i think round -9 to -12 could be the winning score.
Now without Tiger its all up for grabs and these are my fancies to give us a run for our money...
SERGIO GARCIA (12/1)..Six top ten finishes in the british open over the last seven years shows that he loves this major and is bang on form so must rate a very good bet to lift the Claret jug for the first time as long as his putting holds up especially over the last two rounds.
HENRIK STENSON (66/1)..Been a little hit and miss this year but loves playing British courses and has the right game for this sort of venue. Would need to improve on recent form but if he can get off to a good start day one then the 66/1 for an e/w finish will look very generous.
HUNTER MAHON (66/1)..A player i have been tipping up for a biggie for a couple of years now and even though he hasnt looked like winning one yet his game has come along a lot this year and a shorter course will be right up his street and he looks like another good e/w bet to be around in contention come Sunday afternoon.
JUSTIN LEANORD (33/1)..Past winner of the Open and one of the few Americans that look at home on British courses. Right back to form over the last few weeks in America and i think he can carry that form into this event and he will be a dangerous player if anywhere near the top three with a round to play.
MIKE WEIR (100/1)..Now heres a player who can come right back to form at anytime and although he will need to hes one of the best short game players in the world and won at Valderama when the wind blew a few years ago. Has been in contention a few times for major glory but everytime Tiger was the man leading and Weir came up short. A massive price e/w in what looks like a wide open major...
I think the value bet could be the 11/4 on offer for a playoff and maybe even the 12/1 on offer for a playoff of 3 or more players.
Anyway whatever the result im sure were in for some great entertainment over the next four days and with the BBC starting coverage at 9am tomorrow and going through till 8pm a long day in front of the tv is gaurenteed.
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