The 2012 British Open, the 141st in history, will tee off in Lancashire, England on Thursday July 19th at the Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s Golf Course and winds up on July 22nd. As usual, it’ll feature the world’s top golfers as they attempt to capture the year’s third Grand Slam.

Last year’s winner Darren Clarke is actually a long shot to defend the title with sportsbook Bet365 at 150/1 (151.00). As far as we’ve seen, they offer the best odds selection for the 2012 British Open.

Many fans aren’t used to seeing Clarke participate on the PGA Tour since he usually golfs in Europe. This year he’s taken part in the Honda Classic, the Masters, the Accenture Match Play Championships, the Shell Houston Open, and the Cadillac Championship. Clarke also took the Iberdrola Open in May of last year before he golfed four steady rounds at Royal St. George’s to win the British open. He became the first Northern Irish to win the British Open since 1947 when Fred Daly was triumphant.

However, Northern Irish golfers are currently among the best in the world and that’s why Rory McIlroy (12/1 odds) can never be counted lout these days and is among the favourites to win the event this year. McIlroy is an up-and-comer on the PGA Tour, but we haven’t really seen too much of him this year as of yet. He had his problem during the year’s first two majors by shooting five-over par at the Masters. He also missed the cut at the US Open by shooting 10-over in two rounds.

However, McIlroy is definitely capable of a lot more than that and his skill means he’s a threat to win any tournament he participates in. if there’s anything holding him back, it could be his confidence at the moment. Collapsing at last year’s Masters wouldn’t have helped it either. However, by rebounding and winning the US Open shortly after, showed what he’s made of.

As with all golf tournaments he enters, all eyes are going to be on American Tiger Woods, who’s a three-time winner of the British Open (2000, 2005, and 2006) and favoured in the British Open betting to win this one at odds of 6/1 (7.00). It’s been a while since Woods has won the tournament, but since last being crowned champion, he’s won a US Open and a pair of PGA Championships. US based bookie 5Dimes offers +775 (8.75) on Tiger to win this major.

Woods didn’t take part in the British Open last year and he hasn’t finished in the top 10 since last winning it. All of us at GamblingNerd.com thinks the odds on Tiger are too low in almost all competitions he enters lately.

Before his last win, Woods finished in the top nine at the British Open seven out of his last nine appearances and four times in a row. Wins has 74 all-time PGA wins with 14 of them coming at majors. Woods has definitely been playing better this year compared to the last couple and recently won the AT&T National at Congressional. His last major was the US Open in 2008 though.

Another threat to take the British Open is Bubba Watson (40/1 odds). This will be his second major this year and his work will be cut out for him if he’s going to reach the winner’s circle. Watson had a hard time of it at this year’s US Open, but of course, he won the Masters. He’s won four PGA tournaments so far in his career.

One golfer who will be missed at the British Open is this year’s US Open winner Webb Simpson. He’s placed in the top-10 in five different tournaments this year already and is on a bit of a roll. He’s also won three tournaments since last August. However, Simpson said he’s skipping the British Open to spend some time with his family. He’s played in just five major tournaments so far in his career and has made the cut four times.
Some of the other golfers with a good shot at taking the British Open include Lee Westwood (10/1), Luke Donald (16/1), Phil Mickelson (25/1), Graeme McDowell (25/1), and Padraig Harrington (18/1).

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written by Stefan