Adam Scott and Justin Rose garner co-favorite status for this week’s British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, while Tiger Woods is unfamiliar territory at 25-to-1 odds.
Woods missed the cut in the only tournament he’s played since having back surgery in March – the Quicken Loans National at Congressional – but Matt Kuchar, who played a practice round with Woods on Sunday, says don’t count out the three-time Open champion.
Kuchar, per The Guardian, said Wood was “impressive” on Sunday. “I absolutely think he could contend,” said Kuchar. “The Open, the knowledge he has, the skill-set he has? Yes, he could definitely contend.”
Woods, though, will have to show us something more before we back him at the bet window.
A few other favorites The Linemakers on Sporting News’ Brian Blessing won’t have his money on this week.
— “With the inconsistencies in Rory McIlroy’s game – especially his putting – I’m not playing him at (14-to-1).”
— Phil Mickelson won last year’s British Open at Muirfield, but prior to last year, “links golf just didn’t suit him.”
Says Blessing of how he approaches betting on a golf tournament, “Unless I’m all in with a guy who’s 20-to-1— I’m price hunting in the 40- or 50-to-1 or much higher range to start a tournament, and then I can get a really high-end player two or three shots off the pace heading into the weekend still in the 15-to-1 range – near where they started the tournament at.”
Here’s who is on Blessing’s list for the 2014 Open Championship:
— “I keep chasing Louis Oosthuizen. He’s got back issues, but he’s got one of the sweetest swings and he’s got the game. He won his British Open in dominant style (in 2010). If he can keep himself upright for four days, I think Louis Oosthuizen at (60-to-1) is a guy worth a look.”
— “Paul Casey, I think, will win a tournament this year. … He doesn’t have tour status and he’s trying to get his game back up into that world-class range. I think he’s showing signs of life here – not a crazy play at (50-to-1).”
— Jamie Donaldson (60-to-1) is “one of the top players on the European Tour.”
— 80-to-1 is “too high a price” for Victor Dubuisson. “He is proving to be one of the most consistent golfers in the world.”
And here’s a couple of bombs for your consideration:
— Brooks Koepka (200-to-1) had the lead at the U.S. Open and ended up finishing tied for fourth.
— Thongchai Jaidee (150-to-1) is “one of the best players no one knows anything about.”
Odds to win 2014 British Open (LVH SuperBook, as of July 13, via Golfodds.com)
Adam Scott 12/1
Justin Rose 12/1
Rory McIlroy 14/1
Martin Kaymer 16/1
Henrik Stenson 16/1
Phil Mickelson 20/1
Graeme McDowell 25/1
Tiger Woods 25/1
Jason Day 25/1
Sergio Garcia 25/1
Jordan Spieth 30/1
Lee Westwood 30/1
Matt Kuchar 30/1
Dustin Johnson 30/1
Rickie Fowler 30/1
Bubba Watson 40/1
Luke Donald 40/1
Ian Poulter 40/1
Brandt Snedeker 50/1
Hideki Matsuyama 50/1
Zach Johnson 50/1
Paul Casey 50/1
Thomas Bjorn 50/1
Angel Cabrera 50/1
Jason Dufner 60/1
Charl Schwartzel 60/1
Louis Oosthuizen 60/1
Ernie Els 60/1
Jim Furyk 60/1
Keegan Bradley 60/1
Francesco Molinari 60/1
Jamie Donaldson 60/1
Hunter Mahan 80/1
Jimmy Walker 80/1
Webb Simpson 80/1
Victor Dubuisson 80/1
Miguel Angel Jimenez 80/1
Stephen Gallacher 80/1
Mikko Ilonen 80/1
Jonas Blixt 100/1
Harris English 100/1
Ryan Moore 100/1
Patrick Reed 100/1
Matteo Manassero 100/1
Shane Lowry 100/1
Graham DeLaet 125/1
Padraig Harrington 125/1
Bill Haas 125/1
Gary Woodland 125/1
Joost Luiten 125/1
Billy Horschel 125/1
Kevin Na 125/1
Chris Wood 125/1
John Senden 150/1
Thorborjn Olesen 150/1
Nick Watney 150/1
Marc Leishman 150/1
K.J. Choi 150/1
Thongchai Jaidee 150/1
Brooks Koepka 200/1
Brendon de Jonge 200/1
Ross Fisher 200/1
Freddie Jacobson 200/1
Chris Kirk 200/1
Branden Grace 200/1
George Coetzee 200/1
Bernd Wiesberger 200/1
Paul Lawrie 200/1
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 200/1
Stewart Cink 200/1
Tommy Fleetwood 250/1
Ryan Palmer 250/1
Matt Every 250/1
Kevin Streelman 250/1
Darren Clarke 250/1
Gregory Bourdy 250/1
Matt Jones 250/1
Richard Sterne 250/1
Russell Henley 250/1
Peter Uihlein 300/1
Boo Weekley 300/1
Justin Leonard 300/1
Ben Curtis 300/1
Brett Rumford 500/1
Kiradech Aphibarnrat 500/1
Roberto Castro 500/1
D.A. Points 500/1
John Daly 500/1
Y.E. Yang 500/1
Tom Watson 500/1
David Duval 1000/1
Jin Jeong 1000/1
Field (all others) 12/1
Steve Stricker WD
Tom Lehman WD
Visit The Linemakers on Sporting News for all of your sports betting information and be sure to follow the The Linemakers on Twitter.
Related Link: 2014 Open Championship Round 1 Tee Times and Pairings
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– Open Championship Flashback: Tiger Woods Storms Hoylake in ’06
– Open Championship 2014: Nike Golf Players Scripting
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– Drone Captures Incredible Footage of Royal Liverpool
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