The Open returns to Royal Birkdale for the first time since 2008 and will be hosting the Championships for the 10th time.
Nine years ago Padraig Harrington retained the Open title beating Ian Poulter by four shots in what was to be his second of three majors. Ironically, both had strong finishes at the Scottish Open this weekend.
The course is regarded as one of the best links tracks England has to offer defined by its menacing dunes.
At 7,100 yards it’s not a particularly long track but when the wind gets blowing and the rain starts lashing it becomes a fearsome prospect.
This was shown in 2008 with (+12) getting you inside the top 10. Harrington eventually won on (+3). Another factor will be accuracy off the tee.
Open Championships won’t be won from the rough – finding the short stuff gives you opportunities to make birdies, which will be at a premium this week.
⛳ The Open Betting Tips ⛳
By Andy Taylor
- Rickie Fowler 16/1: ‘His skill-set lends itself to links golf’. (Add to your betslip)
- Matt Kuchar 55/1: ‘He’s due a major at some point in his career’. (Add to your betslip)
- Padraig Harrington 66/1: ‘He’s one of the best links golfers around’. (Add to your betslip)
- Shane Lowry 66/1: ”He’s no stranger to adverse conditions having grown up in Ireland’. (Add to your betslip)
As with a lot of Open Championships, the weather could prove to be the decisive factor.
Rain is predicted for all four days with gusts potentially reaching 75km/h on Saturday.
Although this makes life difficult for the golfers, it does narrow down the field as to who could potentially win the Claret Jug. Links specialists are absolutely paramount this week.
Current form is also key. Previous winners Stenson, McIlroy and Mickleson had all won within their last five starts before they entered Open week. Zach Johnson in 2015 and Ernie Els in 2012 also entered in great form.
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Open Picks
Rickie Fowler 16/1 (add to your betslip)
The last seven majors have had first-time winners with the likes of Garcia, Stenson and D.Johnson claiming much deserved victories.
We can see Rickie Fowler making that eight. His skillset lends itself to links golf and has a very solid record on similar courses. He has two top 5’s to his name already in the Open while he hasn’t finished outside the top 10 at the Scottish Open at the three times of asking.
His form is right up there with the likes of Rahm, Spieth and Fleetwood coming into the event after a 2nd at Memorial and 5th at the US Open.
Matt Kuchar 55/1 (add to your betslip)
Kuchar is another guy who is due a major at some point in his career.
Having watched him closely on the range in Scotland last week, the American was working late in the day to gain that extra edge. He’s proven his worth on links tracks with his three appearances at the Scottish Open being 10th, 2nd and then 4th last week.
He also has a top 10 Open finish to his name back at Lytham in 2012.
He hasn’t finished outside the top 16 in his last five starts which includes three top 10’s.
Padraig Harrington 66/1 (add to your betslip)
The Irishman is one of those picks where it’s almost too obvious.
He has proven to be one of the best links golfers around and at 45 he’s not done yet.
Three years ago Padraig was sitting without a PGA or European title in seven years and was battling swing and eyesight issues. But after a victory at the Honda Classic in 2015 and laser eye surgery, Harrington has been on a steady incline.
Not only does he have two Claret Jugs and five top 5 Open finishes, he looked imperious last week in Scotland. Rounds of 66, 67 and 68 were hampered by a poor Saturday but it bagged him 4th place finish nonetheless.
Don’t put it past him making it two Birkdale victories on the spin.
Shane Lowry 66/1 (add to your betslip)
Lowry is still very much an underrated golfer who often finds himself at this sort of price despite having top 10’s in both the Open and US Open as well as a WGC title.
Growing up in Ireland, he’s no stranger to adverse conditions and won his first European Tour title at his home Open on the links course at County Louth.
The experience he gained finishing 2nd to Dustin Johnson at the 2016 US Open will prove to be invaluable and could prove to be the stepping-stone to going one place further at Royal Birkdale.
The Open 2017 Preview
Course: Royal Birkdale
Distance: 7,173 yards (Par 70)
Current Champion: Henrik Stenson
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