GOLF - THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

[gecko6]

just 2 weeks away - jacobson & mediate qualified this wk to join last wk's qualifiers

should be a cracking event - no tiger so that really opens up the field this yr

royal birkdale is the venue - I remember being there 10 yrs ago (last time the Open was hosted there) and it's a cracking viewing course as you can climb the dunes and often see 4 or 5 holes at once

just under 7,200 yards and par 70 (only 2 par 5s) but apparently they have amended a few of the bunkers and small mounds to ensure the course is strategically challenging benefiting the shotmakers rather than shortish and easy for the long hitters to dominate...

early prices >

garcia 10/1
els 14/1
westwood 16/1
harrington 17/1
mickleson 18/1
rose, furyk 25/1
VJ 28/1
scott goose karlsson ogilvy all 33/1

* should be some good value in the longer odds - you often get the unknown player shooting a first round 65 then disappearing... plenty of form players about currently and a few that you wouldn't want to back at all

[gecko6]

and there will be an OPEN GOLF CHALLENGE too - details will be posted up next MON

will be same as the Masters Challenge which was v popular

anybody can enter!

[chappy]

cant wait,love the open and the bbc coverage is very good indeed

upto now gone with Stenson and Tim Clark both good ball strikers , and a few more to follow,

like to do first round leader in majors because you get some decent prices

[cabrera]

Early thoughts:
Karlsson, been excellent this year and did well in the last major
Furyk, coming back to form and needs a major

Considerations: Robert Allenby/Tim Clark
Another European to watch out for is Soren Hansen purely on form...

[Roger Green]

When does the Open Challenge start?

[gecko6]

I've posted it up now Roger...

will be a few players dropping out prob and 1 or 2 to add still

[swashbuckler]

hi lads
its now a clear road to the Open.haven't really studied the field myself yet,but one player i had marked down for this was S.Garcia until i saw the price i can't believe how short he is,looking forward to watching the golf all day on thursday with no distractions.i have a feeling we will have a european winner and i would not write off a big price winner at that. look forward to reading all your tips in the next few days lads.
as they say' lets get this show on the road '

[abcdef]

Swash exactly. I shot an email to one of the beat writers. That Sergio line of 7 or 8 to 1 is a complete joke. The guy has never won a major.
Ernie hit it really well this past week, if he can ever make a putt.. he should win. I also think if Adam Scott can eliminate those Doubles, he has a good chance.

[abcdef]

Here we go fellas.. What do you think, You can only use a player once. I was saving Tiger for the British oops
Here is who i have used..
Masters US Open
V Singh Mickelson
Ogilvy Cink
Goosen Leonard
Donald Kim
Couples Weekley
Appleby Weir

This is what I entered for my big money pool..

Westwood
Els
Garcia
Rose
Jiminez
Mahan

Guys that I passed on were Padraig and Andres Romero.. I like Justin Leonard a lot this week, but I already used him. Opinions? Ill save Jim Furyk for the PGA

[lochinvar]

Guys remember the likes of Paddy Power are doing 7 places E/W for The Open. Good luck all.

[swashbuckler]

hi lochinvar
i think Paddy Power is the best bookie around,especially when it comes to big events and they are very fair with their customers as they do a lot of money back bets and refunds.i was reading that Mc Cririck was praising them for refunding bets on a horse recently for not coming out of the stalls.its a pity that the big 3 don't take a leaf out of their book and give a bit more to their customers.the only complaint i have with P.Power at the moment is ''S.Garcia 9/1 to win the open ( 10/1 yesterday )
abcdef i don't understand your bets at the top are they match bets?
i agree with you about J.Leonard,he will be one of my selections also

[abcdef]

Swash those aren't bets. Im in a major pool. You pick 6 guys. You cant use the same guy for more than 1 major..