We are halfway through The Open at Royal Birkdale and after one of the tougher days there has been in a major championship for quite some time on Friday the players who made the cut will be hoping for some nicer conditions over the weekend beginning with the third round on Saturday.
Friday Recap
At the halfway stage of the tournament we have a sole leader which is Jordan Spieth. He takes a two shot lead into the second half of the competition with Matt Kuchar his closest challenger after a day which really sorted the wheat from the chaff.
Ian Poulter and Brooks Koepka sit three off the lead on three under par with Richie Ramsay a further shot back and then comes a strong group on one under which includes a resurging Rory McIlroy, Richard Bland and Gary Woodland as just nine men begin Saturday under par.
We lost some big names ahead of the weekend with the likes of Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel all packing their bags having missed the cut which fell on five over par.
Betting wise it was a frustrating day on Friday. We won with the Kjeldsen bet to ensure that we didn’t lose too much but despite Branden Grace holding a significant lead at one point he couldn’t hold on while Chris Wood annoying lost to Mark O’Meara of all people so we were slightly down for Saturday.
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Saturday Betting
There is a market up for the end of round leader where Jordan Spieth is a worthy even money favourite and the fact that only four players are within four shots of him in what are expected to be better conditions it would be a surprise if someone two under or better doesn’t lead. I’ve got outright interests in two of those four players so I don’t really need to force anything there which sends me to the two balls for bets on Saturday.
Saturday 2 Balls
Jimmy Walker vs Martin Kaymer
Match tees off at 11.55 BST
Two former major champions tee off just before noon both looking to get themselves back into this tournament from a position of four over par. Both will need good rounds to make him major ground but they are both capable of that. Or so we would think.
It might not actually be the case with Jimmy Walker though. His coach Butch Harmon let on that he is really struggling with his Lyme Disease so it is a big effort for him to still be here in many ways. You would think the week is going to catch up with him at some point though. In calmer conditions we should see the best of Martin Kaymer and if he is anywhere near his best he should see off his playing partner here.
Jamie Lovemark vs Richard Bland
Match tees off at 15.15 BST
Two men who remain under and level par heading into the weekend go out in the fifth last group to go off on Saturday as Jamie Lovemark partners Richard Bland with both looking to build on their total.
Although these two are almost on the same score they earned it at different times. Lovemark was out on the course in the better of the weather late on Thursday and early on Friday while Bland was in the much tougher part of the draw which suggests that Bland has actually played the better golf.
I was impressed with how Richard Bland stuck with it on Friday and that bodes well here. Although conditions aren’t likely to be tough on Saturday I think Bland is playing better than Lovemark as evidenced by him being one better after 36 holes and he can see off his American rival in this pairing.
Tips
Back M.Kaymer to beat J.Walker for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with BetVictor
Back him here:
Back R.Bland to beat J.Lovemark for a 3/10 stake at 2.30 with Winner Sports
Back him here:
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