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What about Danny Noonan or the Dalai Lama?

In all seriousness, if Tigger only has to use his driver on 2 or 3 holes, he will win it comfortably. Still amuses me how he continues to protest how much better a player he is now vs 2000 when the evidence all contradicts this. I watched his St Andrews win then on ESPN Classic the other day and it's night and day. His swing was so much shorter, tighter and more consistent then than it is now, much like yours Rob.

Im going for Goosen to win but If Tiger plays anywhere near his best he should win

i would go for paul casey(although I'm always wrong) becuse he is having an excellent year. if not him then cabrera, as he has just won a major and that will breed confidence, as with harrington the last two years winning three majors.

I assume these pundits left their predictions without looking at a weather forecast...'if the wind does not blow'...this is Turnberry, Ayrshire in July...it'll blow!

Paul Casey or Ian Poulter for my money

Bit of an outside shot but Miguel Angel Jimenez always seems to perform at the majors... Shooter McGavin has great intensity as well

I think you should have asked them the question as "Other than Woods, who do think......" would have saved some typing and server use! ;)

I have placed a small wager on Soren hansen E/W

Dont know too much about him but just saw him floating around a few leaderboards recently and thought "meh why not"

Soren Hansens a very good shout as is Soren Kjedlsen !!

I've went with a £5 spot on Henrik Stenson at 40/1 £5 on Rory Mcilroy at 40/1 and £3 on Sergio Garcia at 33/1

I've had some small each way money on Steve Stricker, Sean O'Hair, Kenny Perry and Mike Weir.

I'm not a big punter otherwise I'd have lumped on Tiger but I don't think there's much value at 9/4.

Stenson is a great shout, but his game is just off the boil at the moment.

Have had a flutter on Westwood for the past few years and will do likewise again today. Woods is going to be the man on eveybody's mind, but if one player can shut him and his "circus" out of his mind, then that player has a great shout too.

As I have said on the 606 forums, I've let my heart rule my head and put a couple of quid on Monty.

Does he have a chance? Not really, but it would be great if he did.

Ken Brown: Tiger won The Memorial "with ease". By one shot actually, following an outrageous chip-in on #11 and by birdieing the final two holes.
Of course Tiger is the one they all have to beat but these guys are just playing safe because they know TW will give them a run.
What a pity none of these "pundits" have the fortitude to go out on a limb; the Tiger-will-win brigade are wrong a lot more than they're right.
McDowell to win, from Garcia and Cabrera. Hunter Mahan best American. Woods? Top eight!

The Open sometimes throws up a "roughie'.Recently Todd Hamilton,Ben Curtis and lets not forget how easily Jean Van der Velde was placed on the last tee of the Open before he went for a paddle.
One player who has been very quiet since the turn of the year but is starting to show form is Richard Sterne.Small outlay at big price!

PS: Rob,
You omitted your own predos. I'm guessing Woods from Poulter . . . .

Seems there's not much support/anticipation for the current holder of the Claret Jug!!
I'm not sure what his odds are, but he could always pull one out of the bag again!! Sergio and Pod in another play off!?!
I reckon Rory is a bit too 'wet behind the ears' for this one but I'd like him to do it.
Personally I'd love Lee Westwood to lift the trophy. Always unassuming and the consummate professional!
Come on Lee!! 'ave a guddun for us Northerners!!

I am both surprised and not surprised that no-one has mentioned Martin Kaymer yet. On the plus side he's definitely on form, on the minus side how many people manage to win 3 weeks in a row. Either way he should at least get a mention.

Backed Kaymer after France before Scotland @ 40's. Westwood and Poulter best of the home chance. Will find a couple of yanks/scandanavians @ big odds to have a little ew bet on before the off.

Well I've gone for Els, Mahan, Curtis, Jimenez and Zach Johnson (well at least I thought I did), I've actually ticked the wrong box and it appears I've picked Dustin Johnson.......fate perhaps!!!

I'd love to see Garcia or Westwood win it if my bets are unsuccessful......

Yes, I agree that Tiger is the favourite, but not by the massive margin everyone (including the bookies) seem to think.

I am not at all convinced by Woods' putting since his return.

He had a dreadful week with the short stick at the US Open, and come to think of it, at The Masters too. Yes, he has won recently, and in impressive fashion. But winning PGA titles are small fry for Woods - he only cares about the Majors (and to a much lesser extent the WGC events).

When the pressure is on, if he has to play catch up (which is likely with such a high quality field) I am not sure he has the feel with the putter to do so.

Doubting Woods is high risk, his swing looks fantastic, his driving seems better than ever, his course management is improving all the time.

But when 30-40% of the total shots hit this week will be with the putter, I certainly can't see Woods running away with it.

I imagine there will be a few out there who think ive got a screw loose, but i think for an each way bet, paul broadhurst at 350/1 (bet365) is a real sleeper.

Won the silver medal as an amateur, jointly holds the lowest round in open history (63 at st andrews), and has won 6 tour events, 5 of which were played on links courses. Also lead the estoril open this year (again, a links course) only to fall just short on the final day and finish tied fifth.

Was also unbeaten in his ryder cup matches at kiawah, youve guessed it, playing links golf.

This guy seems to love links golf, and has a decent (if unspectacular) open record, especially when you add in he was leading brit at carnoustie in 2007.

watch out for this guy, im telling you

I think Robert Rock is fantastic e/w value at up to 500/1. He has had a solid season, goes well in tough conditions and plays well on links courses... what a time it would be to break his duck after so many near misses! I have backed him outright and for the first round lead as he is prone to the odd flying start.

Does anyone know if Happy Gilmore qualified?

Tiger of course, but apart from them...I kinda like Goosen.
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ grown...Westwood and Poulter

I never bet on Woods, his odds are always prohibitive, 5/2 for an Open....

I'll be putting some of my money both ways on Brian Gay (100/1) - he looked very solid at Loch Lomond and he's the sort of player that could fly under the radar and do very well.

And my token British bet will undoubtedly be placed with more than a little hope on Ross Fisher, he's talented, confident and hungry after coming close at Bethpage.

COME ON ROSSY!!!!

Haha gilberto5 that cracked me up, as you said though maybe it will be a sign!!

I still haven't decided who to put my money on yet, the last couple of majors I've gone for Furyk and Villegas and they've let me down so I'm definitely mixing it up for this one. Maybe Leonard as a former champion and McDowell. Tempted with Fisher E/W as well.

As others have said though there's not much point betting on Woods at the sort of price he's on. Only if he has a fairly dodgy first day would I be tempted to put a couple of quid on him making a fantastic comeback.

tiger only wins on open playing fields (st andrews, hoylake) deep rough narrow fairways on the west coast. go for david duval 150-1 great eachway bet.

Someone needs to remind Peter Alliss that Rory McIlroy is not British. He is from Northern Ireland.

Tiger is the favourite, however other than him I think Casey and McIlroy will do well. I think Stenson and Poulter will be up there again this year.

a good outside bet justin leonard

It`s difficult to argue with the Tiger Woods brigade who only see one possible winner.
There are however one or two of our own guys who are well capable of winning.
Ross Fisher is the man who has impressed most over the last season and finishing well at Bethpage will have given him the self belief that he belongs with the best.
Lee Westwood has become the nearly man, taking over from Monty, and he just needs to tighten up with his putting to be a real contender.
Rory McIlroy has the game and is not intimidated by Tiger, that could prove vital come Sunday.
Sergio and Padraig both have the pedigree to do well, if the wind blows Padraig has the best chance.
Whatever the outcome we are in for 4 days of great golf. Winning score -3

30. At 4:21pm on 15 Jul 2009, Ira_abu wrote:
Someone needs to remind Peter Alliss that Rory McIlroy is not British. He is from Northern Ireland.


Like it or not, citizens of Northern Ireland are indeed British citizens (they have British passports), so it is not wrong to describe him as British. Of course he is also Irish.

g mc all the way

Some interesting betting tips coming through.
I like the Paul Broadhurst suggestion from redashgolf - might give it a couple of quid - valid points made about Martin Kaymer too - 3 on the trot - unlikely - but worth a go!
Paul Casey as well - he's having a cracking year - better check his odds!

Ross Fisher seems to be the 'nearly man' - I'd like to see him win a big one though!

Who's backing Greg Norman or Sir Nick?

At 4:02pm on 15 Jul 2009, sublimesuperspur wrote:
Haha gilberto5 that cracked me up, as you said though maybe it will be a sign!!

Thanks, well all I can say its happened once before.....I was mean't to Cornish Sett for the Grand National this year but accidently ticked the box below 'Comply or Die', Cornish Sett fell early and Comply or Die came 2nd.....well I thought it was gonna win coming off the last fence haha

I too like the cut of Broadhurst's jib (he seems like he's a links specialist), someone else said Tom Lehman at 500/1, he was winning 1 of the PGA tour events 3 weeks ago for 3 rounds then only shot level par in the last round and was overtaken by K Perry and H Mahan....(he was the Champion in 1996 as well)

I went for Raphael Jacqueline at 200/1 and Chad Campbell at a whopping 500/1 for my outside shots. Managed to get Kaymer at 50/1 so my e/w bet on him looks half decent now. Also watch out for Bristol's Chris Wood. Was the best amatuer last year at the open and he gets better under pressure, managed to get him at some obscene odds too!!

34. At 4:30pm on 15 Jul 2009, Give Me A Break! wrote:
30. At 4:21pm on 15 Jul 2009, Ira_abu wrote:
Someone needs to remind Peter Alliss that Rory McIlroy is not British. He is from Northern Ireland.


Like it or not, citizens of Northern Ireland are indeed British citizens (they have British passports), so it is not wrong to describe him as British. Of course he is also Irish

That is not strictly true. People from Northern Ireland are entitled to both British and Irish passports and can hold one or the other or indeed both. It is up to Rory himself how he wishes to describe himself or, indeed, if he wishes to decline to do so. It is not up to Mr. Alliss to give him a nationality and, therefore, he should not have described him as British. Moreover as Rory has competed in team golf for Ireland it would therefore have a greater basis in fact to describe him as Irish. However, if Mr Alliss had just written that he was from Northern Ireland I am sure no offence could be taken from that.

I'd love to see McIlroy do it. The best thing about The Open for me though is the sense of occasion, so it doesn't matter too much who wins!

My outside dabbles (on Betfair as I might want to sell them over the weekend before Tiger comes charging) are:

Justin Rose @ 170/1 - has been talking a good game this week and it could just be time to realise the potential of 1997
Angel Cabrera @ 120/1 - daft price as a current major holder
Markus Brier @ 460/1 - who? ripped through two rounds of qualifying in -16, an experienced pro in the form of his life, tied for 12th last year - good outside punt to maybe sell after he has a good rounds 1 & 2. Search for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ article about the two brothers qualifying to read about Brier's exploits.

I'm going to be very rich come Sunday!

I wonder if someone from the orient will do it?
Steady players, accurate.

From a betting perspective, it's worth watching Tiger's first day performance- if he's among the leaders, everybody else's price will drift.
Looking at outsiders, Adam Scott is finding his form and can be backed at 60/1. Kenny Perry has won more tournaments(5) than anyone in the last year or so- and is similarly priced.
Not many will fancy Ben Curtis, but he likes links golf and finished 7th at Birkdale and 8th at Carnoustie. He has been playing quite well lately, and is my each way tip at 55/1 or better.

That Woods bloke really ruined that article didn't he! Joking aside though it is difficult to look beyond him.

My heart as always says Sergio Garcia, COME ON SERGIO!!

On a different subject, why don't we use these beautiful Open courses more often? Please don't point out because the Open is only played once a year, you know what i mean.

It's so rare to see the top ten or so golfers in the world playing in Europe, why not try and entice them in by using these special courses for other tournaments? Just think it's a real shame we dont get to see more of the top players playing top links courses.

I like Westwood, tee to green he is one of the best in the game, but with the putter he just doesn't make his fair share, fingers crossed for the lad this week. Be nice if Casey could stand up and be counted on the major stage as well, you get the feeling if he could win a major he could go on to great things, hope so.

it surprises me how little Padraig is mentioned. I think it was once in all the posts above. I know his form is terrible, but the scent of a major can shift him from the left side of his braiin to the right side and he'll be back to himself. So I put a couple each way on him.!!!

That Marcus Brier is a good tip, thanks. I might put a couple on him too.

had 4 bets Westwood,McDowell, Clarke & for some reason Charl Schwartzel..he's 200/1 but for some reason I think he'll do well.

I don't think there'll be a runaway winner. I think it'll be a congested leaderboard with 'playoff' written all over it and I think a previous winner or playoff contender will win it.

Don't know why but I really fancy Els - just wish he had that Ping Putter from the 90s!

Your Open story ("Norman issues Turnberry warning") says that "However, last time around in 1994 Zimbabwean Nick Price carded four rounds in the 60's to match Watson's 280." So four rounds in the 60s gives him a score of 4 x 70? A basic maths lesson needed for the author off that story.

This will be a memorable Open, and Beware the Quiet Man!

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

'Someone needs to remind Peter Alliss that Rory McIlroy is not British. He is from Northern Ireland.'

In response to 39- All great sportsmen and women from Norn Iron have been recognised as being british for decades. This maybe down to the fact that only really good sportsmen from Northern ireland (not a huge number) are recognised by the british media rather than just the local media. Just leave the nationality matter alone. He only represents northern ireland so there is no need for it! And to say that he is just irish because he represented Ireland has no relevance. i'm sure Northern ireland were included in that and for financial and historical reasons, and purely for convenience sportsmen from Northern ireland represent the whole island in many sports (swimming, rowing and rugby)

...BACK TO GOLF, Graeme McDowell has a decent shot because he is a good links player and historicall he has a good couple of rounds. Don't quite know how a major seems to elude a european so often, but taking that into account I think Geoff Ogilvy will be up there along with Steve Stricker. And it was Duval's year last year, then his charge up the leaderboard didn't quite materialise. I am wondering what people's views are on Martin kaymer are. I haven't seem him play much this year but I thought he was exceptional at times last year, and although he seems to be on a roll there has been little mention of him!

Had a few each way flutters -
Nick Watney @ 80-1 (Played very well in Scotland last weekend),
Appleby @ 110-1,
Westwood @ 25-1,
Markus Brier @ 200-1 (Thanks to recomendations from this blog!) & McDowell @ 66-1 (Playing very well this year- put in a solid performance at the masters and as said before knows how to play Links Golf!

Well Skybet is going Woods 5/2; 25-1 and better the field.

In a field of 150+, to be 10 times firmer in the betting than anyone else does say the bookies will lose an absolute fortune if he wins on Sunday afternoon, doesn't it?

McIlroy at 33-1 sounds worth a few bob.

Personally I cant see that Woods winning and I have gone for Garcia, Westwood, Els and The Goose..In fact I have laid Woods to win, that's how confident I feel that he isn't up to this..

It's Martin (Michael Schumacher) Kaymer for me @ 40/1

Morning All by the way :-)

52. At 01:53am on 16 Jul 2009, PJL90 wrote:
'Someone needs to remind Peter Alliss that Rory McIlroy is not British. He is from Northern Ireland.'

In response to 39- All great sportsmen and women from Norn Iron have been recognised as being british for decades. This maybe down to the fact that only really good sportsmen from Northern ireland (not a huge number) are recognised by the british media rather than just the local media. Just leave the nationality matter alone. He only represents northern ireland so there is no need for it! And to say that he is just irish because he represented Ireland has no relevance. i'm sure Northern ireland were included in that and for financial and historical reasons, and purely for convenience sportsmen from Northern ireland represent the whole island in many sports (swimming, rowing and rugby)

PJL90 (if indeed that is your real name) - You are wrong. People from Northern Ireland can only hold a UK passport - and by definition the UK stands for the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. It states it very clearly on the front of the passport.

Can people stop incorrectly labelling people from Northern Ireland as British. It doesn't matter what their faith or political persuations are, no one from Northern Ireland is British.

It is incumbent on journalists to get simple facts correct and their wishful thinking that they can claim who they like as being British when it suits their purpose is annoying. I have never, ever heard anyone claim that Martin McGuinness or Gerry Adams are British. Why do you suppose that is?

@ #57 Your comment...."You are wrong. People from Northern Ireland can only hold a UK passport - and by definition the UK stands for the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. It states it very clearly on the front of the passport."

I'm afraid you are wrong. People in NI have a choice of either a UK passport or an Irish passport.

58. At 10:45am on 16 Jul 2009, John From London Town CBE wrote:
@ #57 Your comment...."You are wrong. People from Northern Ireland can only hold a UK passport - and by definition the UK stands for the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. It states it very clearly on the front of the passport."

I'm afraid you are wrong. People in NI have a choice of either a UK passport or an Irish passport.


To clarify: I knew they could also hold an Irish passport. I meant it only in the context that they could not hold a British passport.

@ Ira_abu.

Course you did :-)

60. At 1:02pm on 16 Jul 2009, John From London Town CBE wrote:
@ Ira_abu.

Course you did :-)

With reference to this snide comment, for proof see entry 39 above.

I was joking Ira_abu hence the smile after the comment.

Chill & enjoy the Golf.