2022 Open

[Ken4155]

The 2022 Open at St Andrews begins tomorrow. As per usual, i have run my inexpert eye over the possibles, probables and definitely not-ables, and have come up with a trio of players i hope will give me a good run for my money.

Rory is the 10/1 fav and, while it wouldn't be the biggest ever surprise were he to win, given his recent form, he just doesn't seem to be able to hold it all together for the full 4 days. 'Home' expectation will also weigh heavily upon his shoulders.

Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth share 2nd favoritism @ 18/1. Schauffele is red hot at the moment, but this is much harder than the 2 tournaments he has just won. Spieth has shown he likes this course having come close to winning here in 2015.

£1.50 each way Jordan Spieth @ 18/1 - 8 places.

Tony Finau saves some of his best golf for this tournament and has 5 top ten finishes to his name.

£2.50 e.w. (Free bet) Tony Finau @ 40/1 - 8 places

Prior to missing the cut in last week's Scottish Open, Ryan Fox was in excellent form. I am always prepared to forgive a racehorse one bad run, so why not do the same for a golfer?

£1 e.w. Ryan Fox @ 70/1 - 8 places

All bets with Bet365

[FatticusInch]

I’m going to have a cheeky fiver on Eldrick.

[ToraToraTora]

[Ken4155]

None of my 3 selections have exactly found St Andrews to their liking. Fox missed the cut - looks like his good run has come to an end - Finau just about scraped in and is currently on +2 after the first 2 holes of the 3rd day, which leaves Speith as my only realistic hope of collecting any rebate from the 3 bets. He is 4 under after 2 rounds.
Two 'Camerons' head the field; Cam Smith (Aus) is on -13, two strokes ahead of American Cam Young -11. Close behind on -10 are Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland. McIlroy has had two decent days but if recent form is anything to go by, he is due at least one bad day. Despite that, bookies have him as 4/1 2nd fav behind the leader. Hovland, on the other hand, is 9/1 and i have been impressed by his play over the last 2 days. He won 4 titles as an amateur (incl the US Amateur Championship) and has won 3 tournaments on the PGA tour.
In order to give me a vested interest in the remaining two days play (besides my e.w. on Speith), i have had the following bet.

£5 win Viktor Hovland @ boosted odds of 9.9/1 = £54.55 - Willy Hill

[Ken4155]

Looks as if we are in for a thrilling final day's golf. McIlroy looks back to near his best and his chip out of the bunker into the hole for an eagle at the 10th was pure magic.
Many lesser opponents would have had their own game affected by that shot, but my man Hovland birdied the same hole to tie the lead, and that's how both men stand ahead of round 4. Hovland, in fact, went round bogey-free - quite an achievement in a major for someone who only turned pro 3 years ago.
If he doesn't lift the claret jug today, he looks destined to do so in the future.