Rory McIlroy is all the rage in the odds for the 2011 Open Championship, which gets underway at Royal St George's in Sandwich on Thursday. The US Open champion is as short as 7/1 with William Hill as a host of European players dominate the odds, with world numbers one and two, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, well fancied.
Tiger Woods absence from this week's Open has left McIlroy as the man to watch and many are calling him 'the next Tiger Woods'. McIlroy of course won his first major title at the US Open at Congressional last month as he put memories of his final day Masters meltdown to bed to take victory. The 22-year-old Northern Irishman was third at St Andrews in last year's British Open, although he looks far too short at 7/1 this week.
For better value it could be worth a look at the English pair of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood on home soil as they look for their first major victories. Both are an industry best priced 12/1 with Hills and Donald in particular has enjoyed a stellar 2011 season.
The world number one has finished in the top ten in eleven of his last twelve events and arrives at Sandwich on the back of his Scottish Open win at the weekend. No Scottish Open champion has gone on to win the Open Championships, but Donald is the form man of 2011 and could well change that stat. Donald did miss the cut when he played Royal St Gorge's in 2003, but he is a far different player nowadays and arrives full of confidence.
Westwood also missed the cut at Sandwich in 2003 after opening rounds of 76 and 75, although he too looks to have a great chance of ending his major drought. The world number two has eight consecutive top 15 finishes to his name, including two tournament wins, and he has a fine record at the British Open - three top five finishes.
Continuing the strong European theme is 25/1 chance Martin Kaymer, as the PGA Championship winner looks to improve on a disappointing 2011 season that saw him finish fourth in a weak French Open field last time out.
Of more interest could be an each way look at Sergio Garcia, who is available at odds of 30/1 with WilliamHill.com. The Spaniard is still looking for his first major title and looks to be moving back to his best after a difficult few years. Garcia was tied for seventh at the US Open last month and followed that up with a second in the BMW International Open, an event in all reality he should have won. He was tied for 10th at Sandwich in 2003 and he is well worth a look this year.
Away from the European contingent is a clutch of players at 35/1, and Australian Jason Day demands respect after finishing runner up in the US Open and Masters this year. Last week's John Deere Classic winner, Steve Stricker, arrives bang in form after seven consecutive top 15 finishes on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson can be backed at 40/1, despite traditionally struggling at the Open Championships.
However, the odds and form suggest it could well be a European champion that takes glory at Sandwich this year, and form man Luke Donald could be the man to provide some home cheer.
Check out our dedicated Open Championship mini-site for the latest betting news, markets, player profiles and much more.
2011 Open Championship Tips
Tip #1: Luke Donald to win outright @ 12/1 with WilliamHill.com
Tip #2: Sergio Garcia each-way @ 30/1 with WilliamHill.com
7/1 Rory McIlroy
12/1 Luke Donald
12/1 Lee Westwood
25/1 Martin Kaymer
30/1 Sergio Garcia
30/1 Graeme McDowell
35/1 Nick Watney
35/1 Steve Stricker
35/1 Jason Day
40/1 Padraig Harrington
40/1 Matt Kuchar
40/1 Phil Mickelson
50/1 BAR
Odds supplied by WilliamHill.com bookmakers, who provide a variety of odds and markets for the 2011 Open Championship - including live betting in-running.
Posted: Monday, 11th July 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: british open, open championship, rory mcilroy, luke donald, william hill,
 | John Deere Classic Betting Preview Jason Day Well Backed For The Title Day has finished runner up in the first two majors of the season | 6th Jul |
| Scottish Open Tips Gregory Havret Could Provide Value In The Open Warm Up Frenchman was 2007 Scottish Open winner and has fine links pedigree | 6th Jul |
 | Scottish Open Betting Donald And Westwood Joint Favourites At Castle Stuart World number one and two head the odds from a strong field | 5th Jul |
 | John Deere Classic Betting Stricker Hot Favourite To Secure Hat Trick Win Steve Stricker is short priced to win PGA Tour event for third successive year | 5th Jul |
 | Rory McIlroy Remains Firm Favourite In The British Open Betting With Unibet Tiger Woods remains well backed for Sandwich despite injury concerns | 4th Jul |
Headline News
 | Euro 2012 Top Goalscorer Betting Preview Mario Gomez Favourite To Land Golden Boot Robin Van Persie In The Mix At The Head Of The Betting |
 | BMW PGA Championship Betting Luke Donald Starts Favourite At Wentworth Defending Champion Can Reclaim World Number One Ranking |
| Crowne Plaza Invitational Odds Zach Johnson Heads The Betting At Colonial David Toms Returns To Defend His Title In Texas |
 | West Ham Odds On To Stay Up On Return To The Premier League Next Season Hammers Short Priced For A Bottom Half Finish Though |
 | Russian Grannies Lead Eurovision Semi Final Odds Jedward Ready For Battle |
BRAND NEW £250 free bets offer.
Open Account - Free £250 Bets With Paddypower
£25 free bet with William Hill.
Open Account - Claim £25 Free With William Hill
Claim a massive £50 free bet with teh leading bookmaker Ladbrokes
Open Account - Free £50 Bet at Ladbrokes
The UK based bookmaker Betfred is now offering a £50 free bet for new clients.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Betfred
New £50 free bet offer.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Coral
BetVictor is offering £100 in free bets to all new clients.
Open Account - Open Account - Free £100 Bets With BetVictor
Up to £200 worth of free bets with Bet365.
Open Account - Claim £200 Free With Bet365
Those looking for some online casino entertainment ought to check out all the latest UK Casino Sign Up offers from the top operators including 32Red and many of the sports betting casinos.
There is excellent information, should you be interested in playing online blackjack, roulette, the best progressives or slots - Online Casino Betting with the best introductory offers
Bookmark This Page