Ryder Cup stars dominate the top of the Open betting
Published:Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer were the big movers in the Open betting following the opening day’s play at Royal St George’s.
The two Major winners are sitting comfortably at two-under-par and join Rory McIlroy at the top of the betting at 12/1.
Mcilroy, the pre-tournament favourite, had a mixed day but came off the course relatively happy with his first round of 71, six shots off the leader Thomas Bjorn.
Bjorn may be the surprise leader but is now just 16/1 to win the Open while amateur Tom Lewis is a massive 40/1 and considering the record of amateur’s at the Open – Matteo Manassero, Chris Wood and Justin Rose all spring to mind – Lewis could be a great bet for a top 10 finish.
Luke Donald and Lee Westwood join McIlroy at one-over-par and Westwood is now 14/1 to win the Open with world number one Donald out to 16/1.
However the world’s top two remain in the top five of the betting as the European Ryder Cup team dominate the money.
Miguel Angel Jimenez had a very solid day and continues to fly under the radar despite a very impressive 66, leaving the Spaniard just a shot off the leaders and the 20/1 is looking very big.
Steve Stricker remains the shortest-priced American and the man from Wisconsin showed his consistency once again to shoot 69.
Stricker is 25/1 to win the Open but finds nine of his fellow countrymen ahead of him on the leaderboard and Lucas Glover, the 2009 US Open champion, is also 25/1 while he sits alongside Jimenez in third and Glover has already shown the pedigree to win a Major.
Punters couldn’t have asked for a better first round as the Open odds remain tight and we’re in for another testing day at Royal St George’s tomorrow.
