The Open Round 2 Betting: Off-Colour Tiger Still Favourite

Golf | selectabet | July 16, 2009 at 10:14 pm

Bookies expectations of Tiger Woods never ceases to amaze me. After a +1 round that was described as ‘charmless’ by one Talksport commentator, Woods is still 11/2 (Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, SkyBet, William Hill) favourite to win the 138th Open Championship despite trailing Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez by a massive 7 strokes after day 1. It’s unrealistic for Woods to win every single major, despite his repeated favouritism and this weekend looks like a weekend for value elsewhere for us punters.

Jimenez is the overnight leader by a single shot on -6 but can still be backed at 18/1 (Bet365, Paddy Power, SkyBet) to win the claret jug on Sunday.

Story of the day was a flawless round by 5-time winner, Tom Watson, who shot a stunning opening day 5 under par. But the 59-year-old’s chances have been dismissed by the bookies who rate him a 125/1 (Bet365, Centrebet, Expeky, William Hill) to claim an incredible 6th title.

He’s joined in second place by Ben Curtis (16/1 Ladbrokes, SkyBet, Paddy Power, Sportingbet, William Hill) and relative unknown Kenichi Kuboya (125/1 Centrebet, Paddy Power).

A Group of 5 sit at 4 under and tehy’re headed in the betting by Steve Stricker, currently 2nd favourite at 16/1 (Centrebet, Sportingbet William Hill).

Some big names are loitering with intent at 3 under including the likes of Furyk (20/1 William Hill), Goosen (22/1 Paddy Power, Sportingbet), Weir (40/1 Betfred, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, SkyBet) and Singh (40/1 Expekt, SkyBet).

Round 2 will bring it’s own set of challenges and another day that causes the muttering obsenties under his breath will see Tiger out of the picture. 11/2 on him to win any major is about as big as it gets but he’s left himself a mountain to climb – look to the field for a decent each way bet. Jim Furyk has finished in the top 5 in 2 of the last 3 Open Championships and could be worth a look at 20s, while Ben Curtis knows what it takes to win The Open, having done so in 2003.