Open contender McIlroy leads Irish invasion of St Andrews
Published:At 16/1 to win the Open, Rory McIlroy is the leading contender in a pack of Irish players about to descend on St Andrews.
The 21-year-old from Northern Ireland has been in excellent form this year, clinching his first PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship.
McIlroy was only the second player – the other being Tiger Woods – to win at Quail Hollow before turning 21, and much is expected of him at St Andrews.
Another of Northern Ireland’s leading players, Graeme McDowell, is also a strong contender to win the Open at 33/1.
McDowell has already snared the US Open this year, and you can bet on the total of Irish major wins in 2010 to remain on one at a price of 1/6.
You can also back two Irish winners of major titles at 7/2, while a total of three major tournaments to be won by a player from Ireland or Northern Ireland is available at 40/1.
The third of the Irish triumvirate at St Andrews, Padraig Harrington, is 25/1 to win the Open.
Harrington has a stellar record at the Open, having won the championship in both 2007 and 2008. With a PGA Championship to his name as well, the 38-year-old will be a strong contender at St Andrews.
Can anybody stop the Irish? Tiger Woods is 6/1 to win the Open. See the full 2010 Open Championship market.
