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ODDSbible Golf: The Open 2017 Betting Preview

ODDSbible Golf: The Open 2017 Betting Preview

It looks a wide open tournament.

Anonymous

Anonymous

The Open returns to Royal Birkdale for the first time since 2008, when Padraig Harrington retained the Claret Jug.

Traditionally, there's a theory that links golf, with it's course set up, and weather conditions, suits the British/European players, more than their American counterparts. I disagree with this, and think this year's leader board could be dominated by the American's once again.

In the last 20 years, The Open has been won by an American on 10 different occasions. Whilst several Brits have won it in that time, you have to go back to 1992 to find the last English winner, Nick Faldo.

The conditions are set to be tough this week, and I expect the winner to be a player who can grind out a victory in tough circumstances, adapt to the conditions, and most importantly, be accurate off the tee. It looks a wide open tournament, with many of the market leaders out of form, especially Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.

Image result for Dustin Johnson
Image result for Dustin Johnson

Rickie Fowler - 16/1 (8 places, 1/5)

Rickie Fowler has been threatening to win a major now for a good few years. Back in 2014 he finished in the top 5 in all 4 majors, and so far this year, he's finished 11th and 5th respectively at The Masters and the US Open. He loves links Golf, winning the Scottish Open in 2015, 2 good rounds there last week were followed by a frustrating weekend.

I put that down to him fine tuning his game, and seeing it as a preparation event for this week. He's had a good year so far, and I think with the likes of Rory Mcilroy, Dustin Johnson, and Jason Day struggling for form, this could well be his time to win that elusive first major.

Matt Kuchar - 66/1 (7 places, 1/5)

Like many players on the PGA Tour, Matt Kuchar has often threatened to win a Major, without ever being able to see the job through. Sergio Garcia's win at The Masters back in April though, is sure to have given many like Kuchar, the confidence that they can do it.

Like Rickie Fowler, Kuchar had a decent week last week at The Scottish Open, and I always take note of players who come over from the US and play in Scotland the week before. It shows that they're seriously intent on not just playing the The Open for it's prestige and prize money, but also seriously intent on winning it. At large odds, I really, really like the look of his chances this week.

Image result for Matt Kuchar
Image result for Matt Kuchar

Soren Kjeldsen - 125/1 (8 places, 1/5)

Not a name that many people will pick out as one to watch, but again like Fowler, the Dane loves links Golf. He won the Irish Open back in 2015 with a score of -2, conditions making for an incredibly difficult tournament that year. A 9th place finish at last year's Open was another notable result for him.

Kjeldsen isn't the longest off the tee, but his ability to keep the ball in play, and use a low ball flight that's needed at times make him in my opinion, way over priced, especially in terms of place value. It would be a suprise to see him go on and win this week, but 4 steady rounds, and a high finish would be no shock to me.

Brian Harman - 125/1 (8 places, 1/5)

Again, not a player who'll be high on many people's lists, but the man from Georgia is currently 9th in FedEx Cup standings having recorded 1 win on the PGA Tour so far this year, as well as an impressive 7 top 10's, including a very impressive 2nd place at last month's US Open.

Like Kjeldsen, Harman isn't necessarily someone I think will win this week, but his price when compared with others seems huge, especially considering the form he's in.

Image result for Kjeldsen
Image result for Kjeldsen

Other Selections

Winning Nationality: American - 13/8

To Miss The Cut: Rory McIlroy - 11/4

First Round Leader: Charles Howell III - 125/1

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