It’s finally here – one fo my favourite weeks of the year as the 143rd Open Championship comes to us from Royal Liverpool – probably better known as Hoylake.
It is a little tricky for me writing a preview about my betting tips when the first bet was struck months ago so I will do a split preview – firstly looking at the bets placed so far, the reasons behind them and what price they are now.
Mikko Ilonen was the first player to go in my book as long ago as late January when he got into a playoff in Qatar.
He would go onto lose that but has had a great year resulting in a second win in twelve months in Ireland just a few weeks ago.
He was always going to be a pick for me having won the Amateur Championship around Hoylake back in 2000.
He played here back in 2006 and was in a strong position going into the weekend but faded.
He is a much better player now and as a great wind player is totally suited to links golf.
Original bet 0.3 ew 150/1 – Best price now 100/1 Stan James 6 places
Patrick Reed was second man to be backed when he was winning his third event in seven months at Doral in March.
He has since taken time off and become a father but the signs are there in recent weeks he could be up for another win.
People will tell you that debutants don’t win and he has no experience of travelling the world however one little known fact about Reed is that he won the Junior British Open at Heswall just down the road so he will have positive memories of the area.
Original bet 0.3 ew 125/1 – Best price now 150/1 Boyles 6 places
Angel Cabrera has been well known as a Major specialist – indeed until just last week his only wins in the States were the US Open and US Masters but he put that behind him with a confident win in the Greenbrier Classic.
He really is a very difficult player to catch right but with five wins on tour he is well worth a saver especially on links golf" Not many players win two Majors so could he add a third and indeed a different one?
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Well I wouldn’t put it past him as his record in this event is not that bad with 4th at Carnoustie and 7th here in 2006 his best finishes. Original bet 0.2 ew 125/1 – Best price now 70/1 Bet365 7 places
Michael Hoey was added just last week when he opened up with a fine 66 around Royal Aberdeen but he then went into reverse gear.
He really is a very difficult player to catch right but with five wins on tour he is well worth a saver especially on links golf which he can on a good week play really well.
The only Opens he has played he missed the cut at Lytham but maybe Hoylake will bring better fortune.
Original bet 0.2 ew 250/1 – Best price now 200/1 Stan James 6 places
Tommy Fleetwood is a player I backed last week as I thought he may have found some form after a spell in the doldrums – sadly it was not to be as he didn’t fire in Scotland.
One positive we still have going for us is that he grew up in Southport playing links courses and knows Hoylake well.
If he can use that knowledge and take inspiration from playing at home then maybe this wager isn’t quite dead in the water yet! Original bet 0.25 ew 200/1 8 places – Best price now 250/1 various 6 places
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