The 147th Open

This should be fun... It’s brick hard at Carnoustie it will either make it impossible or a doddle

Carnoustie was were that mad French guy jumped in the burn to play a shot handing the title to
Paul Lawrie

Gary Player won here 50 years ago

The 3rd Major of 2018 gets underway at Carnoustie on Thursday and with the best players in the world all accounted for, we should be in for a great tournament.



Carnoustie is a par 71 layout and the last time The Open was played here Padraig Harrington won with a score of -7. Carnoustie can play really tough with loads of pot bunkers and plenty of out of bounds trouble off the tee. The wind can play a massive role at this venue and this year the hot weather and lack of rain means that the fairways are very firm. Players should get plenty of distance but controlling the roll of the ball is not easy so the bunkers should be very much in play.

As is expected we have a quality field headed by Dustin Johnson at 14/1 and you can get 18/1 and better the balance with World Sports Betting paying 6 places.



Past Winners (at different courses)

2017 – Jordan Spieth -12

2016 – Henrik Stenson -20

2015 – Zach Johnson -15*

2014 – Rory McIlroy -17

2013 – Phil Mickelson -3

2012 – Ernie Els -7

* Playoff





Betting

D Johnson 14/1

Fowler 18/1

Rose 18/1

McIlroy 20/1

Spieth 22/1

Rahm 22/1

Fleetwood 22/1



25/1 and better the balance, prices correct at the time of posting but subject to change



Selections



Dustin Johnson at 14/1 – each way

DJ has got his game back to its best after that fall before last years US Masters tournament and I expect him to go very close this week. He is very long off the tee and will be playing some very short approach shots and he has the scrambling game to succeed here as well. My only concern is his putting which was not great at the US Open.



Louis Oosthuizen at 80/1 – each way

It has been some time since South Africa have had a major winner and I am going to put a few Rand on a previous champion. Louis is a bit hit and miss these days but he has the patience for this course and could be the pick of the South Africans this week. On that note he is 15/4 to be the top SA player.



Alex Noren at 30/1 – each way

Noren is in excellent form with a victory in his last start and he has shown a liking for links golf with a couple of top 10’s in his last 4 starts. He is a player who has raised his game over the last year and at 30/1 he looks cracking value



Brandt Snedeker at 110/1 – each way

Snedeker is coming off a top 3 finish in his last start and he is a man who plays well on tough golf courses. He hasn’t been that consistent in recent times but does play this course regularly in other events and has some good form over the years.



Click here to bet on The 2018 Open

Sergio looked to have The Open wrapped up after the 3rd round before losing in a playoff to Harrington the last time The Open was played at Carnoustie. He is in reasonable form and looks decent EW value at 30/1.

Tommy Fleetwood shot a course record 63 in the Dunhill Links Championship last year and his final round in the US Open should bring him right into the mix. Looks a big contender at 22/1.

Tyrrell Hatton is also regaining form and is a quality links golfer, winning back to back Dunhill Links Championships in 2016 and 2017. At 40/1 he also represents decent EW value.

I will be taking EW bets on these 3 golfers.

Not sure what price he is, but I fancy Justin Rose - plays well on the Links, is in form and did not finish too far back the last time they played at 'Carnastie'; my roughie is Stewart Cink who is also in reasonable form and also has experience at this course ...

rain forecast for Friday typical I have a ticket for Friday and its going to piss down, well so the forecasters say.

chicken n chips wrote: rain forecast for Friday typical I have a ticket for Friday and its going to piss down, well so the forecasters say.

Hoender, get me a pic of louis or with louis..... tell hom it's for one of the old boys from garden route casino!!!

Zac Johnston has had a win and 2 top 15 s in his last 3 opens . Nicely priced at 75 for e/w bet .
Can’t wait for Thurs brilliant coverage .

First balls tee off at 0635 tomorrow morning Course is dry due to the hot weather this summer. Rain on Thursday night forecast with some onFriday morning. I predict that an unknown will win it so I am looking for 75/1 and upwards on a few players

One of my favourite golf courses in the world, a monster when the wind blows and tough when it doesn't...Hogans Alley one of my favourite par 5,s......my fancy is Justin Rose for bets for top 20 top 10 and win....Lee Westwood 130/1 and Paul Dunne 150/1....

Justin Thomas,Tyrrell Hatton.Patrick Reed and Tommy Fleetwood.

Gone with two Japanese players both 1000/1 so far

Chris van Buuren wrote:

chicken n chips wrote: rain forecast for Friday typical I have a ticket for Friday and its going to piss down, well so the forecasters say.

Hoender, get me a pic of louis or with louis..... tell hom it's for one of the old boys from garden route casino!!!

If he asks me then I will oblige,Chris :whistle: