British Open Odds - Turnberry caters to Toms
BRITISH OPEN ODDS
- TIGER WOODS +165
- DAVID TOMS +250
- SERGIO GARCIA +1600
- PHIL MICKELSON +1800
- PADRAIG HARRINGTON +2000
- JIM FURYK +2200
- LEE WESTWOOD +2500
- PAUL CASEY +2500
- KENNY PERRY +3300
- HUNTER MAHAN +3300
- JUSTIN ROSE +4000
The British Open odds represent the crown jewel of golf betting for golfers and bettors around the world, as the tournament, officially named the Open Championship, is the sport’s most storied event. An international field like none other braves the wind and tough links conditions every July. Will Padraig Harrington continue his dominance? Will Tiger get his next major? Or will a newcomer emerge?
British Open odds: Tournament returns to Turnberry for first time since 1994
- WHAT: The Open Championship
- WHEN: Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19, 2009
- WHERE: The Turnberry Resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland
- KEY STAT: Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington have won five of the last nine British Opens
- THE PICK: David Toms
When forecasting the 2009 British Open odds golf lines, we can’t judge the event on past success, as Turnberry hasn’t hosted in 15 years. We can, however, look at the course layout and see who it suits. Ranked as the No. 1 course in the U.K., Turnberry isn’t particularly long or short. It’s a course that will test every shot in a player’s bag and reward good course management. In other words, it favors shot makers over big bombers.
Regardless of the setup, Tiger Woods is the top favorite for the event, simply because of his natural ability to get hot and hit any type of shot – especially his trademark low stinger. However, he’s not as strong of a play for the 2009 Open Championship odds as he normally is. He’s struggled off the tee all season and Turnberry will punish poor tee shots, especially if the conditions are windy. For Tiger to succeed, he may want to keep the driver in the bag. He’ll scramble all week, but I don’t think a win is in the cards.
Next up is Padraig Harrington, who is seeking his third straight Open Championship victory. Some fans of sports betting online trust Harrington because he’s an Irishman who’s used to links golf and thus a very good course manager. However, he’s been simply atrocious in 2009. He’s missed three straight cuts and four of five; his best finish of the season is 11th. As a two-time defending champ, he’ll be overrated and his sportsbook value will be way too low considering how poorly he’s played this season.,
Can Sergio Garcia get the monkey off his back? Don’t count on it. He has just one top-10 finish of his own this year. Rounding out the big names is Phil Mickelson. He may not play because of his family situation, but if he does, he’s not a great bet either. Turnberry punishes bad course management and Mickelson is a bit of a cowboy – and exciting golfer, but one who takes too many chances to succeed on a course like Turnberry.
Paul Casey is the obvious hometown British Open odds favorite. The No. 3 player in the world is on the verge of stardom and has played well this season, but I can’t quite see him breaking through at the Open Championship. He’s very long off the tee but he ranks 101st in driving accuracy, so he could find the fescue too often to contend.
Three names that stand out in my mind: Jim Furyk, Hunter Mahan and David Toms. Furyk has quietly played well all season, posting five top-fives. He ranks in the top 20 on Tour in driving accuracy, putting average and sand save percentage. Don’t be surprised if he flies under the radar and hangs around the top five all week.
Hunter Mahan may be the hottest golfer on Tour right now, even though he hasn’t won in 2009. He has three-straight top-six finishes and has improved his finishing rank in seven straight tournaments. He’s not amazingly accurate off the tee but he ranks in the top 10 in scoring average, total driving, sand save percentage and par breakers.
What about David Toms? He quietly has seven top-10 finishes entering the British Open odds. Check out his stats: first in driving accuracy, second in scoring average, sixth in greens in regulation, 10th in putting average...and I could list more. His peripherals scream “shot maker,” so he sets up well hang around the hole all week at Turnberry.
MARCO’S PICK: David Toms is the guy for the British Open odds. Turnberry demands accuracy and course management, and Toms has both. He’s also playing with the most confidence he has in years. Bet on David Toms to win the Open Championship.
For full British Open odds and offshore sportsbook lines, keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Marco Sussman isn't too bad on the links, reportedly a five handicap. But, he's great in the sports betting game. He'll watch just about anything you put in front of him, but golf is what really gets his juices flowing. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
