The Open

[Non-Smoking Man]

The Open Golf Championship takes place at St Andrews this week.

This is a premier British sporting event and attracts all the top golfers from all over the world.

Links golf is a specialist art, especially in fast conditions, and presents particular challenges.

Therefore, it will be won by a golfer who has form in similar past events and is currently playing well.

I turned to the Racing Post golfing writer Steve Palmer for the info I need for one attractive bet..

Writing in today's Post, Palmer pens the following headline:

'Mcilroy looks ready to take his place among the legends'.

The Northern Irishman has been a frustrating golfer to follow in recent years, but is a 4-time Major winner and is currently world-ranked number 2. With a home crowd behind him Rory will go close and should be favourite , and is @ 10/1.

Spieth won The Open in 2014 and tied 4th the following year at St Andrews. He placed 10th in the warm up event, the Scottish Open and must be a contender. Has a tendency to be wayward off the tee. He could win but he's not for me.

Rahm is probably one of the best 3 golfers at the mo (ranked 1?) alongside a group of Americans containing the likes of Scheffler (no. 1?), Thomas, Johnson and Cantlay but I dont fancy any of them to be at their best in these conditions at a links course.

One yank I DO rate, and he has attracted a small wager from me on the grounds of value is PATRICK REED. Reed is not much liked, not least because he has joined a breakaway tour but he has been recently freed from a contract that forced him to use a certain brand of clubs (which he didnt get on with). Now a free agent he is back to a set he likes, is a Major winner, and enjoys links golf. He was 20th at St Andrews in 2015, 12th at Troon and 10th at Portrush (Lowrey, a danger, the winner).

£2 @ 110 Betfair.

Jack NSM

 

[DIB]

I've got my pin out ready to stick into the list of players to pick one!

Seriously though as I've mentioned on the other golf thread I think I'll have a little E/W bet on Speith and also Ryan Fox as an outside chance of a place.

I do love the Open though, especially when it's a tight Sunday afternoon, essential viewing for me, even my wife watches it.

On Sky earlier they were saying how hard the fairways were and even good drives were in the lap of the gods as to where the ball runs off to. Add a bit of wind into the mix and it's up for grabs to anybody. At the same time the Sky cameras were on Justin Thomas at the practice range and he was casually knocking 3 woods over 300 yards with unerring accuracy.

 

[pmcuk]

I follow the womens game - the LPGA. Some great players and personalities.

I might take a look at the men, though they're way above my ability level.

 

[Non-Smoking Man]

Ive got a feeling that the Claret Jug has Rory's name on it.
He's playing with a huge amount of confidence to go with his innate ability. He's a classic 'streak' player - when it's all going for him and the planets are aligned he is sublime.
However, if he hits some bad luck - a bad bounce, rims out - the wind can go out of his sails at a stroke.
He shot a 68 in round 2, exactly the figure posted by my fancy Patrick Reed (who famously beat Mcilroy in a combustible Ryder Cup match a few years ago.) I just placed an additional £2 @ 700 and £1 @ 720 that Reed wins it. I know he isnt going to, but I think his score will move forward and others backwards and so I will be able to trade out of Reed at an advantageous point. Its called arbitraging.

Anyhow, looking forward to watching it live chez Wizmax tomorrow
I'll be watching the round figure of the youngster, Kim, with interest - he is a star of the future.
The worst thing about the Sky coverage is Nick Dougherty one of their presenters - the man with nil punctuation. Aaargh..!
Jack NSM

P.S. Oddly enough, Kim is paired with Reed today, teeing off at 1 25pm.

 

[Joss]

I was lucky enough to go and watch play on thursday at St Andrews. It's not a great course for spectators though as your only really viewing from the perimeter of the course. Amazing setup though as the atmosphere and areas for the fans are brilliant. The money these events must generate is staggering.

I can't see past Cameron Smith now, it's his to lose really.

 

[DIB]

I was lucky enough to go and watch play on thursday at St Andrews. It's not a great course for spectators though as your only really viewing from the perimeter of the course. Amazing setup though as the atmosphere and areas for the fans are brilliant. The money these events must generate is staggering.

I can't see past Cameron Smith now, it's his to lose really.

Well it didn't look like that after round 3 yesterday, he had a bit of a mare, nothing dropped. However today was another matter, as fine an exhibition of putting and short iron play that I think I've seen. McIllroy didn't play badly, 2 under par isn't poor by any means, but he had plenty of chances today to put it to bed early on but the putts just wouldn't drop. Cameron Smith's par 4 on the 17th today was the clincher, a truly brilliant up and down from a seemingly impossible position.

 

[DUVET]

Anyone who shoots a closing 64 deserves to win

 

[Colinjg]

Anyone who shoots a closing 64 deserves to win

Yes, but should be fined for that haircut.

 

[pmcuk]

The right guy won. He was electrifying.