The Open: Tiger or field?

If you ask golf followers about their favourite tournament, a substantial majority would be likely to pick The Masters, which is played at Augusta National in April each year.

For me, The (British) Open has always been the one. I got hooked on it during the four years I spent in England back in the eighties and still watch it as earnestly as ever, especially as the time-slot here in Oz is somewhat more hospitable than that for the other three majors that are played in the US.

The most appealing aspect of The Open is the variety of venues on offer. This year, it's the turn of the fabled Ailsa course at Turnberry in Ayrshire. There's nothing like a links course on a windy, rainy day to test the technique and temperament of the best golfers in the world. It should, yet again, make for fascinating viewing.

The most intriguing group to follow over the first two rounds will be the one that includes Tiger Woods, Englishman Lee Westwood and the exciting 17-year-old Japanese prodigy Ryo Ishikawa, whose fan-base in some parts of the world is beginning to rival that of Tiger himself. Another not dissimilar trio will consist of former champion Tom Watson, now the oldest in the field at 59, Sergio Garcia, my personal favourite, and 16-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero, who became the youngest ever to win the British Amateur Championship last month.

In the unfortunate absence of Phil Mickelson, whose wife and mother are both battling breast cancer, the bookies have installed Woods as an almost unbackable favourite. One set of odds I saw yesterday had him at $3.50, with the next best, a group including defending champion Padraig Harrington and Garcia, as far back as $26.

I'm no golf expert and shall be barracking for Garcia to make his long-awaited 'major' breakthrough. However, after scrutinising some analyses elsewhere on the web, these look like value bets for those wishing to having a flutter - might put a pence or three on one or two of them myself (in addition to Sergio, of course):
Jim Furyk (paying around $34): Four top-5 finishes in past Opens; having a very consistent year.
Paul Casey ($34): World No.3 has been practising extensively on links courses recently.
Henrik Stenson ($36): Should be able to use his favourite 3-wood often on this par-70 course.
Ernie Els ($36): Can't believe Ernie has fallen this far; with seven Top 7 finishes in his past eight Opens, he's great value at these odds.
Steve Stricker ($41): Won last week and has Top 10 finishes in his last two links events.
Kenny Perry ($61): Prolific winner - only Tiger can better his 5 wins on PGA tour over last 2 years.
Sean O'Hair ($76): World No.13 is a quality ball-striker and ready to make an impact at a major.
David Toms ($101): Finished second twice in his last four events.
Brian Gay ($101): Two wins on the PGA tour this year; is a very good putter.
Soren Kjeldsen ($101): Missed the cut at three of the last four Opens but is probably the most improved European golfer over the past year.
Soren Hansen ($101): Why are Danes so under-rated? Can't believe his odds are the same as that against Greg Norman, whose chances are about as low as those of New South Wales winning another rugby league State of Origin series against Queensland any time over the next decade.

If you're having a punt on any of the above, it might be best to spread your money and go each-way, combining a Win bet with one for a Top 5 / Top 10 finish.

Good luck and happy viewing!

And Go Sergio!

Here's the official site of The Open: http://www.opengolf.com/ChampionshipGolf/TheOpenChampionship.aspx