The 143rd British Open will be hosted at Royal Liverpool this Thursday for the first time since 2006. The weather is sure to be windy and rainy but it will not be a problem for this star studded group of players.
Tiger Woods will be making his debut back into golf after recovering from back surgery he had earlier this year. The American won the Open Championship in 2005 and 2006. Woods chose not to play in the Scottish Open last week and some think he is not yet ready for the challenge offered by a links course. He has only played two rounds in the last five months but Woods is a comeback kid. His odds are good at 18-1.
As reigning champion, Phil Mickelson will fight to defend his British Open title. His performance at the Scottish Open last week was average at 3- under 68 in the opening round and 2-over 73 in the second. His statistics were common, as well. He found just 8 of 14 fairways, 9 of 18 greens in regulation and needed 27 total putts. The chance of a repeat at the Open is improbable but Mickelson has a solid record on links courses.
Justin Rose will attempt to win his 3rd Championship in a row, after winning Congressional and Royal Aberdeen earlier this month. At 14-1, his odds look good but Rose has not made it into the Top 10 of this tournament in his professional career. In order to win Rose has to beat the likes of Adam Scott (16-1), Rory McIlroy (14-1) and Henrik Stenson (16-1).
Rory McIlroy has never been great at links golf but his Top 20 finish at the Scottish Open is encouraging. McIlroy was favoured to win the Scottish Open after his opening round performance but lost control in the second round, scoring a 7-over 78. If he can control his ‘second round curse’, the Irishman has a high chance of winning the Open.
Adam Scott is a favourite to win this championship and does tremendously well on links courses. The world No.1 tied for third in the 2013 Open and finished second in 2012. He last played at Royal Liverpool in 2006 and has happy memories of it, finishing tied for eighth for his first British Open top ten.
