Golf – The Open Championship 2014: Who will be crowned King at Royal Liverpool?

The Open Championship Preview

The Open Championship Golf

Thursday 17^th – Sunday 21^st July. Coverage on BBC.

[quote_box_right]Betting on the golf? Pick up £200 in free bets with Bet365 and make money on the Open Championship [/quote_box_right]All eyes will be on Hoylake this week as 156 of the world’s best golfers do battle for the 2014 Open Championship title. It is the 143^rd edition of the event and there are plenty of sub-plots to keep us glued to our screens.

This is the third Masters event of the year and everyone involved will be dreaming about lifting that trophy on Sunday evening. First, though, those stars must ensure that they make the cut.

This is one of, if not the, highlight of the golfing calendar. We should be in for a thrilling few days.

Can Tiger Roar To Another Hoylake Victory?

The Open was last played at Hoylake in 2006 and saw the game’s most famous son lift a third title. The American superstar has not since added to his three crowns but he’ll be particularly confident heading into this week’s event.

Eldrick Woods is the golfer of a generation and is still one of the biggest draws in the sport. The fact that this is his return to the big time, after missing the first two Majors of 2014 due to having back surgery, means that he will undoubtedly be the headline maker regardless of how well he performs.

He was named PGA Player of the Year in 2013 and would love nothing more than a 14^th Major triumph to confirm his return to the top. However, it is worth noting he hasn’t won any of the big four since 2008 and the fierce competition means he may have to wait to end his barren run.

Rose To Put Previous Heartache Behind Him?

South Africa’s Justin Rose has endured some tough times at the Open in recent years, missing the cut three times in the past four years. However, the World No.3 can put those failings in the past by claiming a second Major title.

After winning his first Major at last year’s U.S Open, Rose enters this year’s Open with far greater confidence and we would expect him to enjoy a much better week at Hoylake.

Another serious contender for the title is World No.1 Adam Scott. The Australian enters the Major in great form after finishing in the top 10 in each of his past three tournaments. Additionally, he claimed a top three finish in both of the last two Open Championships.

Elsewhere, there are a host of other contenders including last year’s champion Phil Mickleson. The fight for the Claret Jug is set to be ferocious.

Prepare yourself for fireworks.

The Open Championship Betting

As far as betting is concerned, the first thing we must emphasise is that it is essential to shop around for the best deal. In addition to the huge discrepancy in prices between competing bookmakers, there are also dozens of special promotions running ahead of this event and any punter would be a fool not to take advantage.

For example, Betfair are paying out on 8 places on the each-way market, while Ladbrokes will offer your stake back if your outright winner selection doesn’t make the cut. There are plenty of promotions available so it really is worth looking around. Additionally, mobile betting app users can take advantage of enhanced odds via BetVictor’s ‘InstaBet’ app.

Having seen Rory McIlroy win the BMW PGA Championship in Surrey just a few weeks ago, the Northern Irishman is our pick on the outright market.

McIlroy has ditched the five-wood in favour of a two-iron and that should help him to battle the Merseyside winds. We think the 25-year-old will at least be in contention and are therefore backing him on Betfair’s each-way market.

[quote_box_center]Rory McIlroy is 16/1 e-w (8 places) with Betfair [/quote_box_center]

As far as the first two days are concerned, we’ve put together this Lucky 7 accumulator by backing these seven stars all to progress to the weekend’s action.

[quote_box_center]Miguel angel Jimenez, Adam Scott, Luke Donald, Brandt Snedeker, Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley and Thomas Bjorn all to make the cut pays 5/1 with Bet365[/quote_box_center]