For golfing fans the world over, the British Open is the tournament they eagerly await for the most. It is the crown jewels of tournaments and offers more excitement than any other tournament. The links course of Royal Birkdale, the venue of the 2008 Open Championship, promises to test the most hard nosed of golfer's and the winner will be the player who has most patience, has the correct mindset, top class judge of wind direction, club choice accuracy, determination to succeed and solid nerve. These qualities are all part of the Tiger Woods make up. However, with the three time Open Champion missing through injury, which golfer in the field is able to harness the necessary qualities and fill the shoes of Tiger Woods? Below is is a preview of some of the leading contenders, all of whom who will be looking to step up to the tee in pursuit of major championship glory.
Ernie Els - Winner of the Open Champion in 2002, Ernie Els has been in good form for most part of this season and won the Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour earlier in the year. For many he is the most likely winner and has been installed as favourite for this year's Championship. He will be in a good frame of mind, in the knowledge that he does not have to compete against Tiger Woods, but will that be enough to inspire him to victory. Ernie is one of those players when good is very good, but when bad is awful. Ratings 6/10
Padraig Harrington. - Padraig Harrington is the reigning Open Champion and proven on links courses. He has an excellent temperament and the ability to keep the ball on the fairway. His putting has been weak lately but when in touch he is as good as anyone. He has pride in abundance too and he will not let his crown disappear without a tough defence. However, his form since winning the Open is woeful and he will need to find some sort of miracle if he is going to regain the title. Ratings 5/10.
Sergio Garcia - Runner up from last year at Carnoustie to Padraig Harrington and labeled the best player currently playing, however, just like Colin Montgomerie, Garcia has yet to win a Major. He has certainly been close on a few occasions and only has himself to blame for losing last year. Garcia has all the attributes to be a great champion, but the question is why has he not made it yet? However ,it is the year of the Spanish it seems, Nadal winning the French Open and maybe Wimbledon as well and Spain winning Euro 2008, it could be his year. Although he may have already had his good fortune this season when winning the Players Championship in America. That tournament is generally known as the fifth Major so perhaps that is as far as Sergio will go in 2008 but he is the pick of the leading contenders. Rating 7/10
Lee Westwood - Another nearly man of golf, but perhaps harbours the best chance from the British representatives. Lee is a good Links golfer and has been in fine form this season without actually winning an event. He battled hard against Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate in the final round of the US Open, only to lose out on the 17th. If Westwood can concentrate on finding the fairway off the tee rather than hoping for distance he may be in the running again here but if he doesn't he will be in the mire. Rating 6/10
Phil Mickelson - The second most talented golfer on the planet, or rather he is when playing in his native USA, however, Mickelson is not a great traveler and nor is he the best links player in the world. He will come to Royal Birkdale full of his normal shot making expertise and he will be a real crowd pleaser, as he finds a way out of the fairway rough. He will need all shot making ability to win here. 6/10
With the absence of Tiger Woods from this year's competition, British Open Golf Betting is as competitive as ever and the eventual winner could be one of several players. The leading fancies all hold decent claims of winning the title and of those, Sergio Garcia looks the most likely winner. However, nothing is certain in golf and it would be no surprise to see one of the less fancied players emerge victorious. it could also be the time for a new pretender to the throne to step up to the plate and make his presence felt among golf's elite players and if that is the case, Justin Rose could be man, ten years after making his debut in the competition, when finishing fourth he has rediscovered his form in recent years and a big win can not be too far away from the British player.
James Smith has worked in the sports industry for several years and has a wide range of experience in the field, ranging from sports marketing through to sports journalism. A regular writer of sports articles at http://www.betting-directory.com
TomTom 330 XLBest Buy TomTom 130
Garmin 300 Buy
No comments:
Post a Comment