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There is of course only one tournament worth discussing this week The Open, played at Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) for the first time in nearly 40 years.
The first Open Championship was played there in 1887 when a local member, Harold Hilton won. Since then, another nine Opens have been played here with Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen and Peter Thompson among the victors.
Many of the holes are traditional doglegs with the ideal landing areas very tight and affected by undulating fairways. Add to this the expected dry conditions and many drives will run through the fairways and into penal rough.
Although short in length (7,200 yards), Hoylake will provide a strong driving and course management test. The weather is predicted as fine for the week with perhaps a shower on Sunday. If this is correct, then the fairways and greens will definitely be very fast and hard.
Most of the greens demand a chip and run style short game if missed, which will be a shot foreign to a number of the American players.
The winner this week will be a player in control of his course management, driving and short game. He must also be able to handle the immense pressure attached with winning The Open and battle through the elements and poor shots.
Although the course is short, I expect the hard and fast conditions to provide a real test this week. I dont expect any major surprises.
Selections
Jim Furyk (+3400) One of the most meticulous players in the world with no real weaknesses to his game. He will be required to chip the ball more this week than he is used to. However, I feel his current form, course management and ability to drive the ball onto tight landing areas makes him a real contender. I think he is a great each-way option.
Robert Allenby (+8100) A pupil of the Links style of golf due to his upbringing on the Melbourne sand belt courses, he will not fear the Hoylake test. In cracking form at the start of the year in Australia, his performances on the U.S. tour have been solid without being spectacular. However, he will like the Hoylake layout and at these odds I think he is undervalued.
Tim Clark (+5100) The South African is a tough player who achieves the very most out of his game. His form has been very solid this year and good defence of his Scottish Open title last week will provide perfect preparation for this week. Although not a long hitter, he is very straight and has excellent course management. I think the hard conditions will assist him this week and I expect him to contend. I think he is an excellent each-way option.
Many of you may be wondering why I have not selected any of the leading market principles. These include Tiger Woods not sure of his form and +625 is too short, Phil Mickelson (+1200) his driver is too loose for this course and I am not convinced he is over his U.S. Open disaster, Vijay Singh (+1600) not holing enough putts, Retief Goosen (+2600) his form has dipped and is not consistent enough and Darren Clarke (+3400) finds it very hard to close out tournaments.
Others to consider: Trevor Immelman (+4100), Thomas Bjorn (+5100) and Nick OHern (+8100).
Finally, I would suggest the following players to win their Nationality markets: Robert Allenby top Australasian, Grew Owen top GB & Ireland and Jim Furyk top US player.
The first Open Championship was played there in 1887 when a local member, Harold Hilton won. Since then, another nine Opens have been played here with Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen and Peter Thompson among the victors.
Many of the holes are traditional doglegs with the ideal landing areas very tight and affected by undulating fairways. Add to this the expected dry conditions and many drives will run through the fairways and into penal rough.
Although short in length (7,200 yards), Hoylake will provide a strong driving and course management test. The weather is predicted as fine for the week with perhaps a shower on Sunday. If this is correct, then the fairways and greens will definitely be very fast and hard.
Most of the greens demand a chip and run style short game if missed, which will be a shot foreign to a number of the American players.
The winner this week will be a player in control of his course management, driving and short game. He must also be able to handle the immense pressure attached with winning The Open and battle through the elements and poor shots.
Although the course is short, I expect the hard and fast conditions to provide a real test this week. I dont expect any major surprises.
Selections
Jim Furyk (+3400) One of the most meticulous players in the world with no real weaknesses to his game. He will be required to chip the ball more this week than he is used to. However, I feel his current form, course management and ability to drive the ball onto tight landing areas makes him a real contender. I think he is a great each-way option.
Robert Allenby (+8100) A pupil of the Links style of golf due to his upbringing on the Melbourne sand belt courses, he will not fear the Hoylake test. In cracking form at the start of the year in Australia, his performances on the U.S. tour have been solid without being spectacular. However, he will like the Hoylake layout and at these odds I think he is undervalued.
Tim Clark (+5100) The South African is a tough player who achieves the very most out of his game. His form has been very solid this year and good defence of his Scottish Open title last week will provide perfect preparation for this week. Although not a long hitter, he is very straight and has excellent course management. I think the hard conditions will assist him this week and I expect him to contend. I think he is an excellent each-way option.
Many of you may be wondering why I have not selected any of the leading market principles. These include Tiger Woods not sure of his form and +625 is too short, Phil Mickelson (+1200) his driver is too loose for this course and I am not convinced he is over his U.S. Open disaster, Vijay Singh (+1600) not holing enough putts, Retief Goosen (+2600) his form has dipped and is not consistent enough and Darren Clarke (+3400) finds it very hard to close out tournaments.
Others to consider: Trevor Immelman (+4100), Thomas Bjorn (+5100) and Nick OHern (+8100).
Finally, I would suggest the following players to win their Nationality markets: Robert Allenby top Australasian, Grew Owen top GB & Ireland and Jim Furyk top US player.
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