And every year, the Open seems to get more and more "open", by design or accident.
After Greg Norman in 2008 and Tom Watson in 2009, it's virtually impossible to rule out any of the old guys having a charge this year. What odds Colin Montgomerie, 48 I think now, and presumably focussed on his Ryder Cup duties, improbably finding a bit of form around a St. Andrews course he knows like the back of his hand, roared home by a bouyant home crowd? 150-1 according to William Hill, approximately the same odds they gave to last year's winner Stewart Cink.
Tiger Woods is naturally favourite, having won here in 2000 and 2005. 4-1 looks short odds on Tiger at the moment, though, especially if the Scottish weather does its bit. Woods missed the cut last year, let's not forget.
A glance at the World Rankings suggests that, at last, a British winner might be a strong possibility. Westwood, Casey, Donald, Poulter, McIlroy, Rose all in the top 20, all favoured to around 33-1 or lower in the betting. As well as Graeme McDowell, although I think he'll be so distracted by the press and public attention at wanting pictures of him with the US Open trophy he's not got much chance of doubling up.
What of Gangster Octopus's annual assertion that the best place to look is among the unfancied Americans? After Curtis, Hamilton and Cink in the last decade one's inclined to look carefully at that. Ben Crane? Rickie Fowler? Ricky Barnes? God forbid, "Bubba" Watson? All in the 100-1 to 150-1 bracket.
And a relatively unkown (continental) European player almost always seems to give it a good go, before just tailing off - Parnevik, Rocca, Van De Velde, Bjorn, Levet. Peter Hanson shot a 65 round St Andrews on the final day of the Links Championship on tour last season, and starts at 125-1. Edoardo Molinari's clearly in form, maybe he will be the one to take the trophy back to Europe.
It'll be brilliant, simply because it's at St. Andrews. I can't wait.
After Greg Norman in 2008 and Tom Watson in 2009, it's virtually impossible to rule out any of the old guys having a charge this year. What odds Colin Montgomerie, 48 I think now, and presumably focussed on his Ryder Cup duties, improbably finding a bit of form around a St. Andrews course he knows like the back of his hand, roared home by a bouyant home crowd? 150-1 according to William Hill, approximately the same odds they gave to last year's winner Stewart Cink.
Tiger Woods is naturally favourite, having won here in 2000 and 2005. 4-1 looks short odds on Tiger at the moment, though, especially if the Scottish weather does its bit. Woods missed the cut last year, let's not forget.
A glance at the World Rankings suggests that, at last, a British winner might be a strong possibility. Westwood, Casey, Donald, Poulter, McIlroy, Rose all in the top 20, all favoured to around 33-1 or lower in the betting. As well as Graeme McDowell, although I think he'll be so distracted by the press and public attention at wanting pictures of him with the US Open trophy he's not got much chance of doubling up.
What of Gangster Octopus's annual assertion that the best place to look is among the unfancied Americans? After Curtis, Hamilton and Cink in the last decade one's inclined to look carefully at that. Ben Crane? Rickie Fowler? Ricky Barnes? God forbid, "Bubba" Watson? All in the 100-1 to 150-1 bracket.
And a relatively unkown (continental) European player almost always seems to give it a good go, before just tailing off - Parnevik, Rocca, Van De Velde, Bjorn, Levet. Peter Hanson shot a 65 round St Andrews on the final day of the Links Championship on tour last season, and starts at 125-1. Edoardo Molinari's clearly in form, maybe he will be the one to take the trophy back to Europe.
It'll be brilliant, simply because it's at St. Andrews. I can't wait.
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