Capelle On Golf

British Open Coverage

When asked about stock prices, the late and great financier J.P. Morgan once said, “They will fluctuate.” And so it is with odds on the golfers at this week’s British Open.

The action at British gambling house Ladbrokes in the days leading up to the Open is fast and furious as the punters (gamblers in Britain) are placing wagers on their favorites and hunches. When their bets lean towards a player the odds drop, and vice versa, as you would expect.

So do these British based fans, amateurs and experts know something that we Americans an ocean away don’t? Who knows, but the odds are fluctuating. Four players who were at 66/1 have seen their odds drop, joining the 50/1 (or less) club. These include Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell who won the Scottish Open and climbed into the WGR top 30 at #29, and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez (WGR #20), who tied for third at the same event. Hunter Mahan has been hot lately with finishes of 2t and 12t in his last two starts, earning him odds of 50/1. Justin Leonard has played poorly his last two outings but was upgraded anyway.

A number of big names have become more attractive (meaning you can make more money on them) or less attractive (if the downgrades are warranted). Those now available at longer odds over the last four days include former Open champion Ernie Els, defending champion Padraig Harrington, and Justin Rose, who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his 4t in the Open at age 17.

Anthony Kim continues to receive rave reviews from a variety of experts including his mentor, Mark O’Meara, who says, “This kid is the best young player I’ve ever seen except Tiger Woods.” Evidently the gamblers aren’t buying into the hype because he’s still available at 50/1 even though he’s won two of his last five starts, drives it long and relatively straight, and has a killer short game, which will come in handy on this difficult par 70 layout.

Apparently the fans have cooled on Masters champion Trevor Immelman, but if his driver gets hot as it was at Augusta, he could be in the thick of it come Sunday. “The main thing this week is you had better drive the ball straight. If you don’t, there’s no way you are going to contend. Once you have hit the fairway, it’s fair from there,” said Immelman.

There are 23 players in the field of 156 at listed at odds of 50/1 or less.
Those who’s odds have dropped are in red, while those who are at longer odd are in blue. Example: 20 equals 20/1.

British Open Odds – Changes from July 10 to July 14 – 50/1 or Lower
14—10 July
10—10 Sergio Garcia
14—12 Ernie Els
16—16 Phil Mickelson
16—16 Lee Westwood
20—16 Padraig Harrington
20—20 Geoff Ogilvy
25—20 Vijay Singh
25—25 Jim Furyk
33—20 Justin Rose
33—25 Adam Scott
33—25 Retief Goosen
33—33 Richard Karlsson
33—40 Stewart Cink
40—66 Graeme McDowell
40—66 Miguel Angel Jimenez
50—33 Andres Romero
50—40 Paul Casey
50—50 Angel Cabrera
50—50 Anthony Kim
50—50 Henrik Stenson
50—50 Robert Allenby
50—66 Justin Leonard
50—66 Hunter Mahan

Bounced from the 50/1 Club
14–10 July
66—40 Trevor Immelman
66—40 Martin Kaymer