Last week’s Genesis Scottish Open served up plenty of dramatic moments, not least on the very last green when the Canadian Open hero Bob MacIntyre holed out a 22-foot putt for par to win the championship. Bob is now near the top of Sandy’s Christmas Card list, having secured a 33-1 payout for us just four weeks after we advised him at 80-1 in Ontario. The icing on the cake was provided by Aaron Rai and Ludvig Aberg, who finished T4. Thus, an overall profit of 44.6 points following a 36.4 point profit the previous week in the John Deere Classic.This week, the 152nd Open Championship returns to Royal Troon for the 10th time. The par-71 course lies close to the Ayrshire coast, and wind is, therefore, a key factor. Royal Troon is unique among Open Championship courses in that it features both the longest and shortest holes. Its most famous hole is the Par-3 123-yard 8th, the ‘Postage Stamp’.
Golfers know they must land their tee shot on the green here, not in any of the fearsome pot bunkers surrounding it. In fact, there are 98 bunkers on this course – and three of those are brand new – added simply for this year’s Open Championship! The longest hole is the Par-5 sixth, which measures 623 yards. There may be no water hazards, but deep fairway bunkers abound, and many are not visible from the tee. The key stats include driving accuracy, strokes-gained-tee-to-green, strokes-gained-approach and par-4 performance. The last 4 Opens held at Royal Troon were all gaining their first Major victory.
With all this in mind, here are my MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (Name and Current Price Bookmaker and places offered) selections for the Open Championship. Bets should be placed by 6.30am on Thursday.
COLLIN MORIKAWA 16/1 Bet365 8p: My pick of all those (except Aberg) at the front of the market, the Californian comes here with form figures of 2-14-13-4. Earlier, he had secured a T3 at the Masters. It’s time for the World #6 and 2021 Open champion at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich to strike again.
TONY FINAU 45/1 888 8p: He comes here under the radar. But why? He’s enjoyed top 15s in 3 of the last four Opens. His latest form figures read 17-8-3-5. The world #12 loves link courses and has all the experience to flourish this week. Get on!
AARON RAI 60/1 Bet365 8p: The Englishman has been in explosive (latest = 19-2-7-4) form all season. His exquisite ball-striking can set up all sorts of approaches to the green opportunities this week. He ticks more stats boxes than any other player in the field.
LUDVIG ABERG 14/1 Bet365 8p: The Swedish world #4 is a close buddy of his compatriot, Henrik Stenson, who mashed up the Royal Troon course record in 2016. Henrik has marked Ludvig’s card for this week! Add to this the fact that Ludviig has contended in 2 of his first three Majors and that he played well at last week’s Scottish Open and ‘Bingo’!
SHANE LOWRY 35/1 Bet365 8p: The popular Irishman, who won the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush in his native country, swerved last week’s Scottish Open, preferring to play practice rounds (wearing shorts in the driving rain) at Royal Troon. He’s been running into form and has three top 25s in the last four Opens. There is nothing not to like about Shane here.
ROBERT MACINTYRE 35/1 Boylesports 8p: It would be rude not to include our Bob. Apart from his amazing recent run, we must remember that he has had two top 10s in the Open during the past 4 years. His self-confidence is off the radar presently, and he’s playing at home!
TOM KIM 40/1 Bet365 8p: The 22-year-old South Korean loves links courses. An impressive second in last year’s Open at Hoylake, he has subsequently gone from strength to strength. Tom’s recent form has lifted his OWGR to #17. Expect fireworks this week.
Bet 1 point each way on all, and after round 3, beware of Wyndham Clark [60/1 – gen] (solid Major winner and great all-rounder,} Tommy Fleetwood [22/1 8p] ( so close, so often but …} and Akshay Bathia [90/1 8p] (a dangerous roughie).
Good Luck – SL
PROFIT OR LOSS FOR THIS POST: -4.00
COLLIN MORIKAWA 16/1 Bet365 8p: T16 -2.00
TONY FINAU 45/1 888 8p: MC -2.00
AARON RAI 60/1 Bet365 8p: T75 -2.00
LUDVIG ABERG 14/1 Bet365 8p: MC -2.00
SHANE LOWRY 35/1 Bet365 8p: 6th +8.00
ROBERT MACINTYRE 35/1 Boylesports 8p: T50 -2.00
TOM KIM 40/1 Bet365 8p: MC -2.00