13th Jul 2011 | Golf
British Open Tips: Lee Westwood
Should be favourite for the Open and has an excellent record in majors.
There have been many fluctuations in the top echelons of golf but one player has held steady - Lee Westwood. By not making him favourite for the Open I think the bookmakers have made a mistake. Perhaps they have been swayed by McIlroy’s major hype or Donald’s number one status.
When it comes to majors in the last two years, Westwood’s record speaks for itself:
US Master (10,11): 2-T11
US Open (10,11): T16-T3
Open (09,10): T3-2
US PGA (09): T3
He has five top-three finishes plus another couple of top-20s. Looking beyond the bare results, it is hard to say that he lost those tournaments; he was always beaten by someone playing amazing golf. The 2010 Masters was snatched away by a brilliant round from Phil Mickelson for example.
After struggling with injury towards the end of last season, he is back to his best this summer. Already twice a winner, he arrives after an encouraging T14 at the Scottish Open last week.
Compared to the players around him, his Open record is far superior to the likes of Donald and McIlroy. At the prices, he is the standout bet of the home nations’ challenge.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 08:44 13th Jul, 2011 but subject to change
