Open Golf Championship
Only Weather can stop a bizarrely over-priced Tiger making it Three In a Row
The 150th playing of The Open Golf Championship begins on Thursday morning. The venue - as it is every five years - is the Old Course at St Andrews. Perhaps fittingly, the Home of Golf has become like home for the sport's greatest exponent. On the last two occasions the Open was held here, Tiger Woods won by 8 shots and 6 shots (2000 and 2005). In 2005, he started the tournament at odds of 2/1. Incredibly, he is currently being offered at 6.6/1 with Befair.His recent woes notwithstanding, Woods' form is solid. He finished 4th in the recent US Open, having also finished 4th in The Masters. As recently as four years ago (2006) Tiger's form going into the Open was not so good - for the first time, he suffered the ignominy of missing the cut in the US Open at Winged Foot. The following month he lifted the Claret Jug with some ease at Hoylake.
Part of the reason of my tip's resounding dominance at St Andrews is his length, not to mention accuracy, off the tee. The course could have been designed to suit his game. It is the shortest on the Open rota with some driveable par fours. It is difficult to come up with a name to oppose the favourite. This is emphasised by the fact that the bookmakers' have installed Britain's Rory McIlroy as 2nd favourite. Although a fine prospect, he is yet to contend in any of the majors, let alone win. The weather is the main opposition to Tiger Woods making it Three in a Row. Rain and some wind are forecast for every day of the championship, with particularly strong winds on the friday. Nevertheless, 13/2 represents outstanding, if not baffling, value.
Chris Harkus
14th July 2010