The Open Championship betting

British Open betting used to be about which American was in the best form. It used to be about Tiger Woods. It used to be about record scores. The Duel in the Sun; Carnoustie in 1999.

In 2010 all that changed when a modest and quiet South African Louis Oosthuizen came from absolutely nowhere, got lucky with the weather and blew the opposition away to record an incredible victory which few with an interest in The Open championship betting could have seen coming.

However, such is the great depth of talent in world golf, the mysteries of the links are no more, and that should be a marker when looking at the Open championship betting odds.

What used to be a land of deep mystery and fear now offers opportunity for young players who, as they have risen through the ranks, will have travelled the world playing any number of styles of courses. This background is worth bearing in mind when searching for value in the Open championship betting.

If the wind blows on any one of the nine English or Scottish links courses which host the tournament then expect carnage, a feature which adds an unknown element to your British Open bet as the game’s greats are inevitably reduced to mere mortals. This is all part of the joy of British Open bets – because it’s a tournament where, if course conditions are at their toughest, the results are unknown.

St Andrews, the home of golf, is one of the fixtures on the Open rotation. The greatest course in the world can be reduced to a pussycat on a calm day. But when the North Sea ripples and the wind blows, it means a bet on the British Open can be decided by the luck of the draw.

In fact, one of the highlights of the tournament is the draw. This may sound like one of golf betting’s more bizarre thoughts. But if the tournament is held in Scotland, predictions will be based as much upon final weather forecasts for the north of the UK as any form or fitness issues.

If it’s calm in the morning, chances are when the tide turns, the weather will take a turn for the worse. And vice-versa. There are any number of great players whose final fate has been decided by the weather gods and conditions must be factored in when the odds are considered.

Betting on the British open is not just about the weather, of course, although live Open championship betting sometime is.

Links golf is unique. Forget the stand and deliver and blast away the putting competitions of the PGA Tour. This is where the ability to shape a golf shot, showing imagination and having faith in a good caddie become essential.

One of the long-term fixtures of golf betting used to be Tiger Woods. His fall from grace and form highlights the vagaries of sport, but it also opens up golf betting markets to many more players.

As one Scottish journalist said: “Look at the weather forecast on the internet before you place British Open bets.

“Forget what has happened in the recent few weeks. When it comes to the Open championship betting, results favour those players who buy into the whole concept of links golf. The tournament highlights every year why those golfers with a complete education in the game are the ones to watch when you place a British Open bet.

“Tiger used to go to Ireland every year to prepare for the tournament, and the odds are those players who have become regulars in the tournament are the ones who will best prosper. Naturally, they’re the ones worth the closest look when mulling over the British Open betting. In this event, golf betting is about form and past performance.

“Look at Tom Watson a couple of years ago. Nearly 60 and he came within one putt of becoming champion.

“That’s why the players who have been around for years offer great value in The Open championship betting markets.

“Of course, the complete reverse was true of Oosthuizen. Although South Africa has any number of links style courses, nothing compares to those windswept UK courses, so no-one saw his win coming. The man known as Shrek will become one of the fixtures of the world game now because of his win and good luck to him and to anyone who backed him after perusing the Open championship betting odds.

“No British player has won the Open since Scotland’s Paul Lawrie won at Carnoustie in 1999. Little wonder as the Aberdonian knew all about playing on the east coast of Scotland, although of course he had to rely on Jean van de Velde’s horror show.

“But the Open championship betting markets will always offer great scope, even for those who enjoy wagering on such unlikely events. Online bookmakers will be happy to offer free bets in all manner of specific markets – enough, in fact, to satisfy the punter / predictor who looks beyond the winner in their golf betting.

“British Open betting and online Open championship betting in particular, has grown in popularity as the media coverage of the tournament has increased.

“Examine British Open betting in depth – and don’t forget to consider who could be the leading amateur player making the cut. There will be 156 players who start the tournament with dreams of glory, which ensures the Open championship betting odds will be fascinating.

“Tiger Woods used to be THE man in British Open bets. No longer. If you have a free bet available from an online bookmaker, bank on the once great man to again raise the Claret Jug. But if you’re using your own cash, my advice is to look elsewhere.”