We have two more sleeps ahead of the start of The Open but before our heads hit the pillow for the first of them there is enough time to get stuck into the many side markets that have been priced up for the event.
This is a major championship so near enough every nationality has a market and then we have the usual top finish markets, hole in one, miss and make the cut markets and much more. I’ve gone through them all and have come up with four bets.
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Top Scot
Surprisingly there are as few as seven Scots teeing it up this week which makes for a very competitive Top Scot market which is led by Martin Laird. Laird came over and played the Scottish last week though and never threatened the cut so he is there to be taken on.
Russell Knox is probably the biggest name in this select field although I’m sure Richie Ramsay would dispute that. Ramsay has been the top Scot in the last two European Tour events which might be significant but in six attempts at this tournament he has a best finish of T58 which doesn’t appeal.
I would normally look at Paul Lawrie but he hasn’t been happy with his game recently so I’m leaning towards David Drysdale. He picked up a huge cheque with a fourth placed finish in Ireland two weeks ago and I’m prepared to allow him his missed cut last week off the back of that.
He has been in the top 15 in two of the last five Dunhill Links and in last year’s Scottish Open. He is very solid off the tee and in a market which might not take much winning putting the ball in play like he does gives him every chance.
Top Irishman
Even more surprisingly there are just four Irishmen involved in this tournament with former winners Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke joined by Shane Lowry.
I can’t possibly be having McIlroy at the minute especially with him not liking links golf as a rule. His run of missed cuts could easily continue here. Clarke plays links golf better than other forms but I don’t see him being a strong enough factor which leaves Harrington and Lowry.
I’m not convinced Harrington is driving the ball as well as he would like and would need to around here so I will go for the strong driving of Shane Lowry. Not only is he an excellent driver but he has a wonderful short game and he’s the standout pick in this market.
Top Japanese
There are four Japanese players teeing it up this week as well which makes for another competitive market. Hideki Matsuyama is the favourite for this one and is very short with just Hideto Tanihara, Yuta Ikeda and Miyazato Yusaku opposing him.
Matsuyama is too short for my liking even as good as he is. Had this been six months ago then it might have been a different story but I think he is worth taking on and I’m going to do it with Hideto Tanihara. Tanihara beat Matsuyama over four rounds in Ireland two weeks ago and with the short game he carries I see no reason why he is 4/1 to do it again. I’d be surprised if the other two get involved.
Top 20 Finish
Given his record in this tournament Zach Johnson is overpriced at 4/1 to finish in the top 20. He has finished in the top 20 in five of the last six renewals of this tournament with the one he wasn’t in the top 20 being at Hoylake which was soaked and too long for him. Johnson showed he can perform in tough conditions when he won this tournament in 2015 and off the back of a positive week at the John Deere another top 20 finish he looks to have another top 20 in him.
Tips
Back D.Drysdale Top Scot for a 1/10 stake at 6.00 with 888sport
Back him here:
Back S.Lowry Top Irishman for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with Bwin
Back him here:
Back H.Tanihara Top Japanese Player for a 2/10 stake at 5.00 with Bet365
Back him here:
WON – Back Z.Johnson Top 20 Finish for a 2/10 stake at 5.00 with Betfred
Back him here:
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