No clear favourites in tight field for British Open 2017

PUNTERS are struggling to pick a favourite for the 146th Open Championship, which tees off this Thursday at Royal Birkdale.

Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth have led the way in the outright betting, but both have come back to the field over the past week or so.

They now share the top line with Rickie Fowler on +1400 at online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au.

According to SportsLine, none of that trio will lift the Claret Jug on Sunday.

The projection model that correctly tipped the Masters and the US Open has named Sergio Garcia as the man to beat.

The Spaniard is paying +1800 alongside a talented batch that includes Rory McIlroy, Irish Open winner Jon Rahm and Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose.

If his recent comments to the press are anything to go by, Garcia is primed for a big week on his third visit to Birkdale.

You’re making us blush, @thesergiogarcia pic.twitter.com/NXO4OZDR5I

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2017

On the flipside, SportsLine’s projections have Johnson, McIlroy and Rahm struggling to crack the top 10.

One man expected to bolt into contention is Matt Kuchar – a +5500 roughy who has never won a major.

With Jason Day drifting back to +3500 odds amid some very ordinary form, Adam Scott (+2800) looms as Australia’s best chance.

The 37-year-old Queenslander told reporters this week that he had “unfinished business” at the Open, where he has gone top 10 four times in five years without winning it.

“It’s been a tournament I’ve been really close to breaking through at and obviously all we talk about is majors all the time and this is a very special one for everyone who has won it,” Scott said.

“So for me now it’s just about getting it done and that’s all I’m worried about this week.

“My game is in good shape. I think all areas of my game are good enough.

“I just have to have some focus and get myself in position and, once I’m there, I believe I’ve got what it takes to do it.”

SportsLine is predicting both Day and Scott to finish well outside the top 10.

Best bets for British Open 2017

Sergio Garcia to win – +1800 at Sportsbet

We like the tip on Sergio. The Masters champ has had a light schedule since April, but his form is promising. He has a taste for major success now and is a noted contender at the Open, where he has finished tied sixth or better the last three years. If the putter keeps working, Garcia will be hard to beat.

Hideki Matsuyama to finish top five – +450 at CrownBet

Is he the Kei Nishikori of the golf world, or is he a realistic chance in the big ones? A closing 66 at Erin Hills last month saw Matsuyama claim a share of second place – his best finish yet in a major. The world number two might not be your first choice for the title, but he should be there or thereabouts again.

Adam Scott for top Australian player – +200 at Sportsbet

While Scott has not enjoyed the greatest of returns this year, he has not played all that badly. The putter, by his own admission, has been his downfall. With Day struggling, Marc Leishman (+333) might be the next best Aussie chance after strong results at the Travelers Championship (tied 17th) and the Quicken Loans National (tied fifth).

Ian Poulter to finish top 10 – +650 at Bet365

He had to earn his spot the hard way, but Poulter is playing some of his best golf in years. A disappointing final round of 74 took the shine off an otherwise impressive performance at Scottish Open, while it was only a couple of months back that he finished tied for second at the Players Championship.

146th Open Championship outright odds

+1400 – Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth

+1800 – Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose

+2200 – Hideki Matsuyama

+2500 – Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson

+2800 – Adam Scott

+3300 – Paul Casey, Brooks Koepka

+4000 – Alexander Noren

+4500 – Phil Mickelson

+5000 – Branden Grace, Padraig Hasrrington, Marc Leishman, Louis Oosthuizen

+5500 – Matt Kuchar

+6000 – Shane Lowry, Thomas Pieters

+6600 – Rafael Cabrera Bello, Brandt Snedeker, Justin Thomas

+7000 – Matthew Fitzpatrick, Ian Poulter, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, Lee Westwood

+8000 – Daniel Berger, Zach Johnson

+9000 – Martin Kaymer, Francesco Molinari, Ross Fisher

+10000 – Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Steve Stricker, Andy Sullivan

More quoted at Sportsbet.com.au