13th Jul 2011 | Golf
The Wide Open Championship
With Tiger absent it is anyone’s tournament. We look at some of the 100/1+ outsiders who could surprise a few people.
No golfer is shorter than 10/1 to win at Royal St. George’s for one of the most attainable Open Championships in years. We highlight some of the players in the 100/1 or higher price bracket who could give you a run for your money this week.
Royal St. George’s Form
It was 2003 the last time the Open visited Sandwich and it produced a classic. Thomas Bjorn was two shots ahead with three to play, until a disastrous 16th hole. It took him three attempts to get out of the bunker and he eventually lost the championship by one shot. Ben Curtis won his first and only major on his debut. Back in a tie for sixth was a young upstart called Charles Howell III. All three are back for more this year and although Bjorn and Curtis might be on the wane, Charles Howell III arrives on the back of three consecutive top five finishes in the US.
Charles Howell III – 175/1
Ben Curtis – 200/1
Thomas Bjorn – 250/1
Young Pretenders
With Tiger Woods becoming more injury prone and Phil Mickelson struggling to scale old heights, the golfing landscape is slowly changing. The last five major winners were all first-timers, with Rory McIlroy’s triumph heralding the changing of the guard.
Two highly rated youngsters tipped for the top are Rickie Fowler and Ryo Ishikawa. Both easily recognisable for their flamboyant style of fashion, they are starting to make an impact on tournaments. Both are ranked in the world’s top 60 and it is only a matter of time before they become household names.
Rickie Fowler – 100/1
Ryo Ishikawa – 250/1
Former Major Winners
There are several former major winners in the field, but two of them are priced at over 100/1 and hold realistic chances. Y E Yang gained notoriety for outplaying Tiger Woods in the final round of the 2009 PGA Championship to win his first major. The Korean proved this wasn’t a flash in the pan and has finished T20 and T3 in the two majors this year.
A seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, Zach Johnson achieved his best result when winning the 2009 US Masters. Ranked number 33 in the world, the American is a regular contender. A third place at last week’s John Deere Classic was his third top-10 of the season. He is another player looking to flower in the garden of England this week.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:50 13th Jul, 2011 but subject to change
