British Open odds are backing Padraig Harrington to put up a good fight when the 138th edition of the Open Championship tees off on Thursday, but the Irishman has had an awful season despite his recent win in the Irish PGA Championship. Here is a look at the top five British players who could replace Harrington.
British Open Odds – Thursday, July 16, 2:30 AM ET
Ian Poulter probably has the best chance to win, even though he isn’t the highest-rated player with British Open odds of +2600. But he finished second in last year’s Open, and he’s finished in the top 20 of both majors so far this season. Poulter has all the talent in the world and will eventually win a major, but he’ll have to be better off the tee and with his putting to be one of your sports picks this week.
Lee Westwood hasn’t made the top 30 in a British Open since 2004, when he came in fourth. He is coming off a 23rd-place result in the US Open, and he’s coming off two straight top-10s on the European Tour. Westwood has British Open odds of +2800 according to handicapping software, and he’ll open up the event paired with Tiger Woods.
Rory McIlroy finished in the top 20 of both majors along with Poulter, and he had a solid 10th-place result at the US Open. The 20-year-old phenom comes in with British Open odds of +2200 as the highest-rated British player, and he came in 42nd in 2007 as an amateur, his first time in the British Open.
Paul Casey got off to a great start this year, even winning in Houston the week before The Masters. Six of his first seven starts resulted in top-10s, but since, he has a 63rd-place finish and two straight missed cuts. Still, Casey has solid British Open odds of +2500 as he finished seventh in last year’s event, and he also has a pair of wins on the European Tour.
Colin Montgomerie is a loooooooooongshot at +17500, and he’s never been that good in the British Open, as he finished second in 2005 for his best showing. “Monty” hasn’t played much this year as he’s been busy with his new role as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, but after Greg Norman turned back the clock in 2008 to carry the lead into Sunday’s final round, he could be worth a wager in your offshore sportsbook.
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