British Open: Top British and Irish Player
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Steffan Jones, readaBet.com
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2002-07-16
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View Top British and Irish Player Best Odds
American players have dominated the British Open for the last seven years, only Paul Lawrie in 1999 has been able to break this domination. With Tiger Woods at 2/1 and in great form this sequence could easily be stretched to eight years. For those punters who cannot stomach the thought of backing an American player there is the attractive option of betting on who will be the leading British and Irish player.
The favourite is Dubliner Padraig Harrington who seems to be improving every year as two top eight finishes in the Masters and US Open this year so far show. He has not made much of an impression in the Open since 1997 and while winning the title this year is probably unrealistic he could well head the European field.
Darren Clarke looks a more than reasonable bet at 15/2, the Portrush resident has a great deal of experience in dealing with links courses and will certainly fancy his chances having recovered from a dip in form last year after finishing third in the Open. Colin Montgomerie is 9/1 and is hard to make a serious case to back him despite being the leading European on the Order of Merit. He has a miserable record in the Open and has never been the highest place European. Monty will no doubt pull out one decent round to seemingly put himself in the leading pack only to fall away once the attention turns to him.
Nick Faldo and Justin Rose are both at 12/1 although Faldo is probably the better bet of the two. The three time Open Champion enjoyed two of his successes on Muirfield and has a better knowledge of the course than any player with a realistic chance of success. Faldo’s game has enjoyed a resurgence in quality this year with a top fifteen and top five finish in the US Masters and US Open respectively. Missing the cut in Loch Lomond last week shows that he does not have the constancy of old but he would certainly make an intriguing bet.
Justin Rose probably doesn’t represent great value. His success in finishing fourth in 1998 was followed by a missed cut in 1999. Since then he failed to qualify in 2000 and came 30th in 2001. Rose has been in far better form this year winning his first title in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and three more respectable titles. However it is very hard to see him finishing ahead of the likes of Garcia and Clarke particularly as he has to cope with the extra pressure and attention. |
| Betting Verdict |
2pts Darren Clarke to be top British and Irish player at 15/2 (Hills)
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Darren Clarke at 15/2 to finish as the leading British and Irish golfer looks the best value and most reliable bet. He has the required knowledge of the course to do well and has just come back into the type of form that is required to do well at Muirfield. Clarke has finished third and seventh in the last two Open’s and looks the most attractive option from the British field. |
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