Rory McIlroy

It is the conclusion of the European PGA Tour this week as we head to the Dubai World Championship golf betting. We are at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf estates, for our golf betting this week. Thankfully we have an absolute cracker of an event to look at. The Greatest Show on Earth, as it is has become to be known as, is the culmination of the European PGA Tour’s Race to Dubai, where the top money earners on the European Tour fight it out to finish number one. Holding that position going into the event is current world ranked number one player Luke Donald, who simply needs to finish within the top ten to guarantee his place at the top at the end of the season. Luke Donald is in the rare position of finishing at the top of both the PGA and the European PGA Tour’s money lists, and if he achieves that, he will be the first man in history to do so. There is only one man who can stop him doing that. That will be US Open winner Rory McIlroy, who kept his chances of becoming European number one alive last week, when he landed a pretty heroic win in Hong Kong, while Luke Donald was struggling at the Nedbank in South Africa. The basic upshot of this is that Rory McIlroy has to win the Dubai World Championship to finish as Europe’s top player ahead of Luke Donald, and even if he does win, he will need Donald to finish worse than a tie in ninth with one other player. If that scenario happened, then Donald would still win by just five Euros, which really would be something. There is a $7.5 million prize pot up for grabs, and another $7.5 million to be shared in a pool between the players who finish in the top fifteen in the Race to Dubai. The defending Champion is Robert Karlsson, and all of the world’s top four players are in attendance. So a massive week ahead with Dubai World Championship Golf betting.

Luke Donald 12/1 at SkyBet
What a season the Englishman has head. Just three times this entire season has Donald finished outside of the top nine, the place where he needs to be to guarantee his position as number one. He only returned to action at the Nedbank last week after a five week layoff from the game due to the birth of his child and also the passing away of his father. What could help Donald in his quest to become Europe’s number one, is that McIlroy will have to win in a very highly competitive and classy field. So there is still a big advantage for Donald going into the event.

Rory McIlroy 5/1 at Bet365
In brilliant form at the moment, and you can’t take anything away from him. He has really kept up t he pressure on Donald all the way. There is huge money at stake in the Dubai World Championship this week, but McIlroy needs to land that win, or else his chances will be done and dusted. A tough field to crack, especially with players hoping to finish the season inside the top fifteen to get extra financial bonus, but McIlroy has proven time and time again that he is one of the best. You have to think that he will go close after firing off wins at the Shanghai Masters and the Hong Kong Classic, plus has been in the top five in the last two renewals of the Dubai World Championship golf betting.

Lee Westwood 6/1 at Totesport
Is in great form at the moment, his 62 at the Nedbank on Saturday was one of the best rounds of golf we have seen anywhere this season. Starting in fifth in the Race to Dubai, Westwood can finish second in the final money order, because he can overhaul McIlroy given the right circumstances. Westwood could well be worth backing here because he is a previous winner of the Dubai World Championship back in 2009 and he finished in third last year. So great pedigree and is definitely going to be in the running. Was driving the ball beautifully last week, and is supremely consistent mood. Ignore his final round of one over on Sunday, his position on the Saturday had allowed him to play conservatively. Seven top ten finishes in his last nine, can’t fault that. Westwood is our tip as winner for the Dubai World Championship golf betting given his track record.

Martin Kaymer 16/1 at Unibet
Probably worth a little flutter because he has raised his game a little bit over the closing month or so of the season. He won the Race to Dubai last year. Hasn’t quite been able to get his full game going consistently over four days this year. Landed a great win in the WGC HSBC Champions though to show that he still has what it takes. Can deliver and is looking in much better form than earlier in the year, looks to be getting some confidence back and after his win in Abu Dhabi and at the WGC-HSBC, could be a good outside shot.

Charl Schwartzel 25/1 at Bet365
The Masters winner and the Joburg Open winner has had a pretty good year. Well he won the green jacket for starts, and he is getting better. Arguably one of the most accomplished players on the European PGA Tour, and has been mixing it up on the US and the European Tour. Landed an eighth place finish at the Dubai World Championships last season and will need to do better than that if he wants to keep himself up there in the Race to Dubai. Smooth striker of the ball and usually contests.

Other selected Dubai World Championship Golf betting odds
Sergio Garcia: 16/1 at Boylesports
Paul Casey: 20/1 at Paddy Power
Ian Poulter: 25/1 at SkyBet
Robert Karlsson: 28/1 at Bet365
Graeme McDowell: 30/1 at Boylesports
Louis Oosthuizen: 33/1 at SkyBet

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It doesn’t really seem to be registering much interest after all the hype around the Presidents Cup last week, but there is Golf World Cup betting to take a look at this week. We have 28 nations battling it our for the honours at Mission Hills Haikou in China this week. There is a bit of complicated qualification process, as the top 18 players from the Official World Golf Ranking from back in July qualified, and those eighteen picked a team mate to pair up with for the World Cup. Some nations also made it into the event through qualifiers, which is a stroke play event. There are no singles to look at in your 2011 Golf World Cup betting, because day one and day three has fourball matches, and the second day and the fourth and final have foursomes. So what are we looking at for our Golf World Cup betting odds this time around? Well, this is the first event since 2009 when the tournament switched to a biannual affair, but it is the 54th running of the event, which sort of falls under the radar at the end of a long season. Still, there is some great golf to look forward to, and leading the pack out front in the betting, is the formidable looking pairing from Northern Ireland of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. With the pairing of two Major Champions, they are going to take some stopping. McIlroy is just in such good shape at the moment, and Graeme McDowell has steadily played his way back into form after a bit of a disappointing season all round. But the Irish pair really are expected to set the pace, especially after finishing second in 2009 and McIlroy is the highest ranked player going in to this renewal of the event. Not only is the incentive of winning the World Cup on the cards, but the winners will collect a cool $1.2 million each. The Blackstone Course on Hainan Island will host the tournament for the first time, and it is a long one at 7,800 yards over a par of 72. There will be an advantage for the longer drivers here, so you are looking for that perfect blend of length and greens in regulation in a partnership.

But there are also good options down the field beyond the Irish duo. South Africa have sent out a very strong pairing of Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. The pair must really, really fancy their chances here because they missed the South African Open to come and take part in this. Schwartzel is the big gun here, one of the best all round players on the PGA Tour. The defending Golf World Cup champions are Italy, with brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari. They triumphed a couple of years ago by just one shot but they neither of them have really put together too impressive of a year to be honest. With the brother connection tempting a lot of people to have a punt on them, don’t see them coming out and defending their title. We think that the rest of the field in terms of quality amongst the leading pack, is just going to  be too strong for them to rise up this year. Still, Italy are good value in Golf World Cup betting, but not sure they are the best route to go down. England however have a fair chance of this. We have Ian Poulter and Justin Rose pairing up to represent their country here and England have a good track record at the event, winning it in 2004. Ian Poulter is a little hit and miss in his form, but the steadying hand of Justin Rose, who is just so good and getting from tee to green will be the influential back bone of the team. Can see them being a good combination actually, because Poulter will go for things bravely when necessary, and Rose will know how to play the percentages of when to go for it.

We are also going to have to mention the USA in all this, because they have the super consistent Matt Kuchar fresh of his Presidents Cup exploits, pairing of with Gary Woodland. Woodland is a monster hitter off the tee and with Kuchar’s accuracy and consistency they make for a dangerous outsider pair in your 2011 Golf World Cup betting. One other Nation pairing that we think is really going to be worth looking at, and that is Sweden who have Robert Karlsson and Alexander Noren going off for them. This looks a very solid partnership and would really fancy a great bet on them to come from deep in the market and be a real threat, and potentially big profit for your Golf World Cup betting. But for now, the outright favourites are justifiably Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. Scotland line up with Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher, while Wales go with Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies.

Omega Mission Hills Golf World Cup Betting
Ireland: 4/1 at Bet365
South Africa: 11/2 at Victor Chandler
England: 7/1 at SportingBet
USA: 9/1 at Bet365
Italy: 11/1 at Totesport
Sweden: 12/1 at SkyBet
Germany: 16/1 at Bet365
Spain: 16/1 at BetFred
Netherlands: 33/1 at Unibet
Scotland: 33/1 at Unibet
Wales: 33/1 at William Hill

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Well, the PGA Tour golf season is beginning to wind down, especially when the time comes around for the 2011 Grand Slam of Golf. It is not quite as exciting as it may sound, but it does offer some good golf betting value for you to look at this week, as you are only picking from a field of four. We are off to the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda for this two day event. This is an odd, midweek event, but it gives the PGA a chance to show off the four Major winners from the season. This is not a highly competitive event at all, as the players will interviewed as they go around in a foursome over the 36 holes. There will be a relaxed atmosphere in Bermuda going over 6,845 yard on the Par 71 course. There is a very nice $600,000 dollars up for grabs for the winner, and Ernie Els won last year’s edition of the event. Well, with the small field, it is going to be much easier to pick a winner than the usual big fields we see for our golf betting. Here is a look at the four contenders, and there is decent bits of value around to be picked up in your 2011 Grand Slam of Golf betting.

Charl Schwartzel -  The Masters
The South African won a great 2011 Masters, with a final flourish that got him over the finish line. Schwartzel, who always looks relaxed and confident, nailed four birdies in a row in the final stretch of The Masters, to earn himself the Green Jacket. Truthfully we haven’t seen Schwartzel as competitive near the top of the leader boards since then this season, but he is a pretty solid and consistent player and has not missed the cut in any event he has entered this year. Has also landed ten top twenty five finishes this season, and has been pacing his event appearances very well. Landed a nice top ten finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship recently and ranks eighth on the PGA for scoring average. Has good distance off the tee and when he is relaxed he looks a very strong player. Could just be rested enough to take advantage of the laid back atmosphere in Bermuda.

Rory McIlroy – US Open
McIlroy, at a young age, lived up to all they hype surrounding him when he  won at Congressional this year, absolutely demolishing the field. He was the stand out talent, who tamed the course when so many others were struggling with their game. The 22 year old from Northern Ireland has become one of the golf elite and looks set to pick up even more Majors in his career. Tiredness could be a bit of a factor for McIlroy in this, although he will start the tournament as favourite. He was out in Korea recently, finishing as a runner up to Rickie Fowler, and then was trekking all around China for the next seven days. He really has not had much rest, whereas Charl Schwartzel has, so that could be a factor. However, he is still such a class act and will probably has some sparkling moments.

Darren Clarke – Open Championship
Not sure what they are putting in the water over in Northern Ireland, but Ulsterman Darren Clarke followed up his fellow countryman McIlroy’s success with a win at Royal St George. The 43 year old veteran charmed the crowds to pick up his first ever Major. The former Ryder Cup star is such a popular figure around the round, and will be the father figure of the 2011 Grand Slam of Golf. Has not really been in any great form since his triumph at Royal St George, and is the outsider here by quite a distance according the bookies. He is always relaxed and jovial and so this event will be right up his street, however, don’t see him pushing on against the trio of youngsters he is up against.

Keegan Bradley – PGA Championship
It really was a remarkable event for the 25 year old from Vermont. The young American entered the PGA Championship, his first ever start in a Major, and took the title against the odds, beating out Jason Dufner in a three hold play off. That was actually the second title of the season for Bradley in his first professional season on the PGA Tour. So a remarkable season for the Rookie who has made 18 cuts out of his 28 this season, with four top ten finishes and twelve top twenty placings. Very good distance off the tee for Bradley, his putting does let him down a little bit, but after finishing 5th in the FedExCup Regular Season Points standings, it gives a good indicator of what he has achieved so far. Pretty solid in the all round game, has been a bit quiet, but in a season of surprises, would not discount him totally, and would back him as the winner just for the surprise factor, even though Schwartzel and McIlroy are probably stronger.

Grand Slam of Golf Betting Odds – Outright Winner
Rory McIlroy: 6/4 at Bet365
Charl Schwartzel: 9/4 at Boylesports
Keegan Bradley: 7/2 at Bet365
Darren Clarke: 6/1 at BetFred

Grand Slam of Golf Betting Odds – First Round Leader
Rory McIlroy: 15/8 at Stan James
Charl Schwartzel: 5/2 at SkyBet
Keegan Bradley: 10/3 at SkyBet
Darren Clarke: 5/1 at SkyBet

Grand Slam of Golf Betting Odds – Straight Forecast
MciLroy/Schwartzel: 4/1 at Stan James
Schwartzel/McIlroy: 9/2 at Stan James
McIlroy/Bradley: 11/1 at Stan James
Bradley/McIlroy: 7/1 at Stan James

There is some fascinating golf betting to be had for Sunday, with the Omega European Masters out on the Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland. There is a really battle going on out there and some truly wonderful scoring taking place. At the halfway stage of proceedings, US Masters winner  Rory McIlroy had his share of the lead. This is the first time that McIlroy has competed since he injured himself at the US PGA a few weeks ago. But he doesn’t look any worse for taking a good break, as he got off to a blistering start with a round -6 Under par, shooting 65 for the round. That being said, McIlroy was not exactly happy with his performance at the halfway stage of the Omega European Masters, cursing himself for missing a lot of chances that should have put him in an even stronger position. Going in to Sunday’s final round, McIlroy sits two shots back of the leader Jamie Donaldson. McIlroy did fire in a beauty to score an eagle at the seventh in the third round, but after that, McIlroy really failed to capitalise on that score which put him out in front at -12 under par at the time. McIlroy did fire back to back birdies on the 14th and 15th, but then it went a bit wrong as he bogeyed both the 16th and the 17th, leaving him back at -12 under and two shots off the lead. Still, it has been a pretty strong showing from McIlroy in Switzerland, and he will be worth backing to put in one more superb round while the pressure mounts on the other players around him. Lee Westwood is looking in prime shape to challenge for the title as well after a stunning third round.

England’s Lee Westwood started off with a 67 -4 under par in the first round, and that should have been a lot better after a double bogey on the second and then back to back bogeys on the 17th and 18th. However, Westwood did fire in a couple of eagles as well in the first round. Strangely enough, he found the going just a little more difficult in the second round, when he fired a 69 -2 under to leave him down in tenth place. But he clearly found his rhythm in the third, when he went on a blistering run of golf form. The round started off perfectly with a birdie on the par five first, and then he strung together birdies on the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th to fire himself into contention. But Westwood was not even done there, as down the back nine he picked up a couple more bogeys on the easy 14th and 15th which left him with a superb round of -7 under, pulling him up into second place at the end of day three, just one shot off the lead. This is a prime position from which he can attack now. The ground work has really been laid and when Westwood is in a position like this, a player of his calibre really should not  be letting things slip. Well worth backing in your Omega European Masters golf betting because he should be there or thereabouts. The course is pretty soft and scoring very low, and so Westwood, with the confidence from that third round, in which he didn’t drop a shot, should really go on and capture this. He is in a great position but there is going to be a great fight to the finish here with the lead changing so many times at the Omega European Masters.

Both McIlroy and Westwood are chasing leader, Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who almost matched Westwood’s terrific third round, firing in a -6 under 65. Donaldson dropped one shot on the front nine in the third round, but he certainly capitalised on a very good second round which he finished on -5 under. That’s eleven shots picked up in the last two rounds for him, and he is looking more and more comfortable out there. The pressure of the final round may tell, especially if McIlroy and Westwood start charging. But Donaldson has shown the most control out of the three, as he has only dropped five shots over the three rounds. Has to be worth looking at in your Omega European Masters golf betting for the final round. We are expecting plenty more low scores and truthfully the leader board is so tight, that the likes of Martin Kaymer down in T6, just four shots off the lead can make a major impact with just one final flourish. Would also take a good look at Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (one of the higher ranking players in the chasing pack), who has three sub 70 rounds, including a very strong 66 in the third to put himself in contention.

Omega European Masters golf betting tip: We are going to take Westwood. McIlroy’s putter just hasn’t quite been working as well as it may need too for a low scoring fourth round.

Omega European Masters golf betting
Lee Westwood: 11/8 at Bet365
Rory McIlroy: 3/1 at Totesport
Jamie Donaldson: 4/1 at 888Sport
Martin Kaymer: 16/1 at Bet365
Thomas Bjorn: 20/1 at Stan James
Gary Boyd: 25/1 at Boylesports

Rory McIlroy 2011 US PGA Championship Golf Betting will be backing the young Northern Ireland star to continue his wonderful year and pick up his second career Major. Momentum is a great trend of watch in golf betting and McIlroy’s win at the US Open certainly summed that up. At the back end of last year, McIlroy finished T3 at both The Open and the US PGA Championship, and then put himself in a winning position at the start of the fourth round of this year’s Masters. ON that occasion, McIlroy famously lost his way and ended up in T15 at the end of the day from a winning position, but he showed tremendous mental ability and toughness in his game as well to land the US Open. That really set him among the stars, as he fulfilled his incredible potential and the manor in which he tamed Congressional when others were struggling so bad was remarkable. McIlroy won the US Open by a massive eight strokes, confirming his status as one of the best young golfers in the world. He followed that up with a visit to Royal St Georges for the Open, and landed a solid enough T25 finish there (after having tremendous battles with the weather), unable to live up to his status of pre tournament favourite there. He also had a pretty solid warm up at Firestone for the Bridgestone Invitational going along well, suggesting that he is going to carry decent form back into the fourth and final golf Major of the year. Rory McIlroy 2011 US PGA Championship Golf Betting has him out as favourite, and now the pressure of being a Major champion will be on his shoulders. It is a huge pressure, but McIlroy looks a calm enough and composed enough young man to handle it all. People are now expecting more big Major wins from him, but they don’t come along every day and it takes someone special to win multiple Majors. But by all account McIlroy’s talent is a little bit special. He is mature enough to hold back on his shots when he needs to play averages, but also brave enough to go gung ho and make the game changing break in a tournament. The US Open has been his only win of the year so far, but what a win it was. Can McIlroy land two Majors in a single year? That is the big question of the moment, and what everyone is waiting to find out the answer to at the Atlanta Athletic Club at Johns Creek, Georgia. McIlroy has game. He has consistency also. Forget his fourth round at the Masters, it happens, but how a player responds to moments like that is the all important factor. McIlroy has set records this year, he is now seen as the leader of the new youthful movement in PGA golf and in a sport which has been crying out for someone to take the grip that Tiger Woods had on the game, all focus is only McIlroy. There is really nothing to pick holes in his game with at the moment. He will turn up in Atlanta and perform, that pretty much goes without saying. The favourable position in which you want to see McIlroy is as front runner. He handles the position well and looks comfortable out in front. Rory McIlroy 2011 US PGA Championship Golf Betting is well worth taking a punt on, because he has the game at the moment. No point in taking him other than outright winner, and while he has a lot to live up to, ask yourself whether it is more pressure than is on the shoulders of Tiger Woods on his comeback? Or Lee Westwood and Luke Donald who have yet to land a Major and missed the cut at the British Open? While two Majors in a year may sound like a big stretch for many, for McIlroy it may be more attainable that for most. McIlroy’s two outings in the US PGA Championship so far have both yielded T3 finishes. Is he on the threshold for better again?

Rory McIlroy 2011 US PGA Championship golf betting tip:
He can win this too. He delivers the ball off the tee with great accuracy and tracks the flight of the ball in the air well enough to manoeuvre his way around the length courses. Don’t expect Rory McIlroy to be too far away from the top of the leader board at some point of the event. The most likely scenario is that he will just come out firing and look to put pressure on the rest of the field while they are settling in. You look at the struggles of some of the players behind him in the 2011 US PGA Championship golf betting, like Lee Westwood’s putting, Tiger Woods’ inconsistency and Luke Donald dent in confidence, then you can easily take McIlroy with a little more confidence. A big Major player and will be a contender.

Rory McIlroy Odds to win the 2011 US PGA Masters: 12/1 at Victor Chandler

Best US PGA Finish: T3 in 2009 and 2010

2011 Masters Performances: Masters T15, US Open 1st, The Open T25

See our Full 2011 US PGA Championship Golf Guide here

See our 2011 US PGA Leaderboard, Betting Tips and Updates here

Britain’s cyclist Mark Cavendish has been attracting some interest in the 2011 Sports Personality of the Year betting, after winning the Green Jersey for the first time this year at the Tour de France. The coveted jersey goes to the best sprinter in the event, edged himself over the finish line at the Champs-Elysees in the event’s final stage, to win his 20th Tour de France stage of his career. Cavendish, 26, has been gunning so hard for the Green Jersey, and he is one of the world’s specialist and most devastating sprinters in the sport. So now has this latest accolade of his, done enough to put in the frame to make Mark Cavendish 2011 Sports Personality of the Year betting a worthy punt? Well it certainly makes him a good outside one. Truthfully the list of candidates is not too strong this year. Cavendish is now trading at 20/1 with Boylesports to win the honours at the end of the year, but it is two golfers from Northern Ireland who are duelling it out at the top of the 2011 Sports Personality of the Year betting. Darren Clarke, following his heroics at the Open Championship, has been installed as new favourite, and can be taken around Evens at BetFair. His fellow countryman Rory McIlroy is second favourite, just behind at 2/1 with BetFred after the youngster won his first Major at the US Open. So why the disparity? Well, it is likely to come down to an age thing. Clarke has reached 40 years of age and to many, has won a Major in the twilight of his career, and is unlikely to get back there again. So it could be a sympathy vote for him, as for McIlroy, he has all the time in the world to show his worth by winning more golf Majors. However, it could be argued that he is more deserving of the Sports Personality of the Year award, after performing so well at The Masters as well. There is still the chance he could get another strong performance in the final Major, the USPGA Championships later this month, so he is good value. Athlete Jessica Ennis, who has shown again recently that she is a genuine world class act with a medals haul at trials, is also in the hunt, but she is unlikely to make an impact until she lands that Olympic gold, hopefully next year. The only other major name on the horizon is that of Andy Murray. The US Open is coming up at the end of August, and should he win that, it would be hard to see him not picking up the Sports Personality of the Year award. It would be a now or perhaps never again chance to reward his efforts.

2011 Sports Personality of the Year Betting
Darren Clarke: Evens at BetFair
Rory McIlroy: 2/1 at BetFred
Jessica Ennis: 14/1 at William Hill
Mark Cavendish: 20/1 at Boylesports
Andy Murray: 25/1 at BetFred

It is time for the WGC Bridgestone Invitational again in Akron, Ohio, with the big news that Tiger Woods will be stepping back into action. After missing the British Open with an injury, Woods is back on the playing trail but once again, last week on the PGA Tour was all about the unknowns. Rookie Scott Stallings landed Greenbrier Classic in a play off to grab all the headlines, after his form throughout the season didn’t suggest that he had it in him. It certainly has been the year of the underdog on the PGA Tour, but in such a strong field lining up at the 2011 Bridgestone Invitational, it is hard to look past one of the best taking the title here. This is of course a primer for next weeks USPGA Championship, the fourth and final Major of the year. What makes 2011 Bridgestone Invitational golf betting so interesting, is that players want the glory, but none of them will want to peak to early here and blow their chances at the Major. It is extremely tough to win back to back tournaments on the PGA Calendar, and so players want to do well, but maybe not go all out here. That leaves things wide open in your 2011 Bridgestone Invitational golf betting and once again it should be a fascinating event. Tiger Woods has pretty much owned this tournament during his career, winning seven out of the last ten renewals here. History is definitely behind Woods in golf betting here, but there are major question marks about him. So will Europe be able to dominate again on US soil, with the likes of Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy gunning for glory? The South Course at Firestone is 7,400 yards, making it the longest on PGA Tour calendar. The 16th is the longest hole on the PGA Tour as well (par 5 667 yards). Look for players who have the ability to go long and go straight. This is a power and distance course more than finesse with the iron work. Those who can land it on the green in regulation with most accuracy are going to run away with this.

Rory McIlroy: 14/1 at William Hill
Naturally has not lived up to the heights of winning the US Open, but his game should translate well at Firestone. There will be a bigger prize waiting his full attention next week of course, but this is just the ideal course for him to get back into the flow of things, to build a little confidence again after being on top of the world. After a T9 here last year, it showed he enjoyed the course and if he is on top of his game, should be near the front of the pack. There are stronger, more in form players carrying better momentum than him though. His recent US Open success keeps him short in the 2011 Bridgestone Invitational golf betting.

Lee Westwood: 18/1 at BetFred
There is no doubt, no question over the talent of Lee Westwood, but we want to see him put it together more when the high pressure tournaments are here. This is another event where he just has not been able to get over the finish line first. He landed a T2 back in 2008 but didn’t play last year because of an injury. Should not have any concerns about the fact that he missed the cut at the British Open, because his consistency in finishing before that really was up there with the best. He should come good at this point and he is likely to be a lot more relaxed here than he will be next week in Georgia. That makes him a very likely winner here.

Steve Stricker: 18/1 at BetFred
The American is on fire at the moment and enjoys playing at Firestone. In his last two outings here he has finished in the top ten, and with two PGA Tour wins under his belt in his last four tournaments, Stricker is tearing it up at the moment. Now, reading his stats, which will  be envious to most other players on the Tour, such as leading in birdie average and adjusted scoring, Stricker should be right at the top of the leader board on Sunday. It doesn’t matter if he is chasing down a leader or striding on alone out front, he has the game to punish the field at the moment. Will naturally have one eye on the PGA Championships, the big one starting next week, but this is the PGA’s prime man at the moment, and won’t want his momentum to slip up.

Luke Donald: 19/1 at Unibet
The Englishman, world number one of course, just has not been quite on top of his game at the moment. He was the most consistent player in the world, landing in the top ten in ten consecutive events on Tour, but has been slipping back in his results lately. He never showed up at the US Open, nor the British Open, but prior to The Open, he did win in Scotland, so is a bit hit and miss. He will be looking for the form he produced back in 2005 at Firestone, where he fired three sub 60 rounds, but could only finish T6 with Tiger Woods storming ahead to victory. Donald blew the last round there and doesn’t look his confident best to challenge strongly here. Doesn’t have the distance and the strengths of his game may not work to an advantage here.

Phil Mickelson: 21/1 at BetFair
Not sure what happened to Mickelson at the Greenbrier Classic last week, a tournament in which he should have been the strong front runner right from the start. It was a different Mickelson which finished tied in second at the British Open, and was his worst finish in a tournament this year. We are pretty certain that he will shake it out of his system, and has five top ten finishes at Firestone, out of12 attempts. Has never won the Bridgestone Classic, but has won on the course before, back in 1996 in the World Series of Golf. Expecting a better showing from him than last week, but he will want the USPGA prize more than this, and should be a warm up for him as opposed to going hell for leather.

Tiger Woods: 22/1 at Totesport
What has he got left to offer? Supporters say that he has hit the ball well this year, like at The Masters, but for most of his appearances, he has looked a spent force. How fit will he be after his injury? The Bridgestone Invitational is Woods’ tournament. He has won it seven times before and will be looking for four impressive rounds to get him into the swing of things for the USPGA Championships next week. Even if he is fully fit and driving solidly enough off the tee, the short iron work takes a lot to get back into, getting those fine touches back is not easy after lay offs, and so he probably won’t be a big threat. Only started hitting the ball again last Friday in practice and there are kinks in his game to work out. Not sure how relaxed he will be either as all eyes will be on him, looking for a big game or for flaws to tear him apart. For all of his affinity with the course and tournament, Woods is going to need baby steps to get back to the top, he is not going to come back all guns a blazing here.

Dustin Johnson: 22/1 at Bet365
Our tip here to do something big. He has decent form at Firestone with a couple of top 25 finishes in his two attempts at the event. DJ just keeps doing everything so very well and he keeps firing himself close to Major glory. He really has gotten to grips with his game and ahead of the US PGA Championship, in which he should be making a charge as well, would expect him to shine here. He has the game, he has the momentum and just keeps landing those greens in regulation with remarkable frequency. He is hungry, will want to get back to the PGA Championships, the scene where he took a two stroke penalty on the last hole, and this will be superb preparation. Momentum is key here for Johnson and he looks ready to win something. Would fancy him taking this one, and if not, well worth backing for the USPGA Championship next week. He can go long and go accurate. Our 2011 Bridgestone Invitational golf betting tip.

Nick Watney: 25/1 at SkyBet
One of the Tour’s most consistent players has been suffering a bit of inconsistency of late. He looked on top of the world in winning the AT&T National, but then missed the cut at the British Open. Hasn’t done as well as projected in the big events of the year though, but definitely potential is there. He is the FedExCup points leader and superb with the putter. He should be in some kind of top ten contention on Sunday.

Other Notable Prices:
Martin Kaymer: 29/1 at Unibet
Hunter Mahan: 33/1 at Stan James (defending champion)
Matt Kuchar: 33/1 at Boylesports
Charl Schwartzel: 35/1 at Bet365

With the 2011 British Open at Royal St George’s, Sandwich teeing off on Thursday, the online bookmakers are rolling out their golf betting promotions to grab attention. Here are a selection of some of the top 2011 British Open golf betting promotions around online at the moment. For more about the 2011 British Open, see our full preview here!

Unibet McIlroy Refund

If the young Northern Irishman, and star, wins The Open, then the highly rated online bookmaker will refund all losing pre-tournament outright winner bets. So that means you have a punt on the likes of main challengers Lee Westwood or Luke Donald, with a bit of insurance if McIlroy steps up to the plate again. McIlroy is leading the way in 2011 British Open golf betting at the moment, but there is a competitive field lining up behind him. Unibet offer a £20 Risk Free bet for new customers opening an account with them. Remember, this McIlroy Refund offer is for pre-tournament outright winner bets only.

William Hill Free Bet

The ever popular online bookmaker William Hill have taken a slightly different route for their 2011 British Open golf betting promotion. This is a time sensitive one as well, because when you place a bet before Midnight on Thursday, July 14th on the outright winner for 2011 British Open golf betting, if the player you back misses the cut then William Hill will give you a free bet. Your selection will need to miss the cut by up to 3 shots to qualify for the free bet, but is a decent bit of coverage nonetheless for your 2011 British Open golf betting. New Customers signing up for an account with William Hill can use the special promo code F25 to get a free £25 bet.

BetFair 2nd Place Cash Back

The online betting exchange are running a 2011 British Open golf betting promotion as well for this week’s action on the links of Royal St George’s. When you place a £25 single bet or more on an outright winner bet, if your selection finishes second (not to anyone in particular), then BetFair will give you half of your lost stake back. This is valid up to a return of £50 and will cushion the blow of a bit of heartbreak if your selection just misses out. New customers to BetFair can earn a welcome bonus based on the amount of points earned, which basically equates to the fact that the bigger you bet, the bigger your welcome bonus between £10 and £1000.

Coral McIlroy Magic

You back any golfer to win the 2011 British Open in golf betting, and if your backed selection finishes second to US Open winner Rory McIlroy, the online bookmaker will pay you out as a winner! This is a decent 2011 British Open Golf Betting promotion from Coral, who offer a £25 free bet for new customers opening an account with them.

Boylesports Place Market to 8 Places

The popular online bookie is offering 8 places in place betting for the 2011 British Open. The place market betting offers an alternative to outright betting, but of course the prices are not as attractive because of the extra coverage that it provides. For example, Rory McIlroy is 13/8 to place at Boylesports which doesn’t offer a lot, but does allow you to dip further down the market to people like Padraig Harrington for 8/1 because quarter odds will be paid out to eight places at Royal St George’s. This is the market just to use as a back up really to outright winner betting. Boylesports offer £40 in free bets for new customers registering an account. Simple make your first bet with a stake of £20 and received a free bet of £40!

US Open Congressional Betting Odds Round Three Close of play: It is all on the line now for young Northern Irishmean Rory McIlroy who just keeps going from strength to strength. No-one else in the field can touch him at t he moment, he is making the US Open look so easy. He is firmly in the driving seat and has so much room to work with now. The third round was not his best but he showed great mental fortitude in holding himself together when his driving was awry. Surely not going to blow it from here. Phil Mickelson capitulated with a round of 77 to put him out of contention, while defending Champion Graeme McDowell sits back at Even par. England’s Lee Westwood was one of the big movers of the day, along with Australia’s Jason Day.

US Open Congressional Betting Odds Round Two close of play: (play suspended) Round two at Congressional in the 2011 US Open was dominated again by Rory McIlroy. While most of the field is struggling, with just fourteen men under par, the Northern Irishman is making things look easy. Is this his time now? That is five out of six rounds of Major golf played this year, which McIlroy has lead. He is going to continue to be aggressive and two incredible rounds of golf has left in him a very strong position to win his first Major. He certainly put the rest of the big names to shame, with Luke Donald back on +4, and Martin Kaymer sitting at +2. Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood improved largely upon their first rounds. Westwood hit a round of -3 under to pull himself back to +1, while Mickelson put on a great display of iron work to fire a -2 under to also sit on +1. But this year’s event is all about Rory McIlroy. Can he finish the job which he has halfway to completing? 

US Open Congressional Betting Odds Round One close of play: One of the highlights of round one of the 2011 US Open at Congressional was watching the Marquee group of Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer all struggle so badly. These three have shared a portion of the world number one ranking during 2011, and were among the front runners to win this year’s event. However, neither of them could get going, with current number one Luke Donald having to scramble for the entire round with his usually impeccable accuracy deserting him. The putter was not working for either Kaymer or Westwood, and the Englishman was clearly frustrated and annoyed with what was going out there. With no Tiger Woods at the event, Phil Mickelson had also attracted a lot of interest in the 2011 US Open golf betting markets, but on his 41st birthday, even he struggled from the off. But one man who has had his Major woes over the last year, Rory McIlroy, once again showed that he has what it takes to lead the field at a Major. Now the big question is, can he keep things going this time from such a strong position, and actually close out the deal to win his first Major. Here we take a look at the betting standings for the players near the top of the leaderboard as we head to Round Two.

(-14 Under) Rory McIlroy: 1/10 at SkyBet

65-66-68 After breaking the record for the lowest score after 36 holes of Open golf, Rory McIlroy backed it all up in the third round and scored a -14 Under total of 199, which is now the best ever 54 hole score. It wasn’t vintage golf over the first few holes for McIlroy, who had to scramble to keep himself in check. Still, his lead of six shots at the start of round three over YE Yang did give him some wiggle room to play safe, percentage golf to rescue situations. While he was having trouble finding the fairway off the tee, many wondered if the Majors jitters were going to strike McIlroy again. But the Northern Irishman responded ever so well with four birdies to post a score which has never been seen ever at the US Open, -14 Under par. The course was a lot more playable on Satuurday thanks to some rain, but while the rest of the field enjoyed an easier time, there was still no catching McIlroy, who posted a round of 68 to finish with an eight shot lead over Yang ahead of Sunday. Overturning that kind of deficit, there is just no precedence for it at the US Open, so baring another Masters capitulation in the final round, McIlroy just needs to get round. With just holes 10, 11 and 18 the realistic threats of double bogeys, as long he plays steadily for par on those, then the rest of the course will fall into play. Another disaster in the Majors for the young, nearly man? No, he’s not going to be the nearly man after this. Be there to see it. It could be the first of many.

Round Two Rory McIlroy is storming his way to the title at the US Open at Congressional. After setting the pace with a -6 under for the first round, McIlroy went out and consolidated his position at the top of the leader board by firing a -5 Under par. In the process of landing himself -11 under after two rounds, he has also now picked up the record for a US Open score after 36 holes. It could have better for McIlroy after he hit a double bogey on the 18th hole. But the Northern Irishman, who has had Major collapses before, looks mentally tough enough to slay all his demons. He certainly can’t play much better and this is the best way to silence all of his critics. He is half way done, and the magnitude of his lead, which stands at six over YE Yang back at -3 under, is remarkable for the sheer size. The cut for the 2011 US Open, is likely to be a  -4 and from Yang back to that mark, there is only six shots. McIlroy has now produced two remarkable rounds of golf and even at the halfway stage the title is his to lose. Again. He has to have learnt from his previous encounters, most recently after blowing his final round lead at The Masters this year. It could be a matter of consolidation in the third round for McIlroy, or he could simply go out and land another startling round. He has tamed Congressional where no-one else has even come close. That is now five of the six rounds of Masters golf this year which McIlroy has led.

Round One -6 Under Well once again the young Northern Ireland star has taken a grip of a Major firing a round -6 under par. He has done this before, most recently a couple of months ago at The Masters where he had a fourth round lead before falling away. You may recall last year’s Open as well at St Andrews where he was in a strong lead. Following questions over his mental strength to win a Major, he has responded in the best possible way by taking firm control at the top of the 2011 US Masters leader board after round one. McIlroy fired a wonderful -6 under par, putting Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson in his playing group, firmly in the shade. Did not drop a shot all day, while other big names throughout the field were dropping them all over the place. Nailed three birdies on the front and the back nine to put in the best round of the day. Simply never looked back from the word go, finding the green off his first tee, while Mickelson hit the water and Johnson was wayward. Is now the red hot favourite in your 2011 US Open golf betting, with his odds slashed down to 5/2 at Bet365. Could well now keep the trend going of another first time winner of a Major

(-5 Under) Lee Westwood: 18/1 at Bet365

76-68-65 The Englishman has come back into contention, but it is too little too late, as he’s twelve behind McIlroy going into the final round, at -5 back. It has been a great effort from Westwood who has recovered from his frustrating first round of +4. If he had nailed an even par round there, this could have been so much different. Westwood can’t worry about what McIlroy is doing, all that the Englishman can do is play his golf and hope that McIlroy slides backwards. It is unlikely, but if any one can keep up the pressure, it is Westwood. He has been in McIlroy’s position before and will be hoping the pressure gets to the young Irishman again. If it happens, Westwood will capitalise, is in his rhtymn. An eagle on the sixteenth was his higlight and that came after a run of three birdies. Only one dropped shot on the round. Not going to win, but profit to be picked up for 11/4 at Bet365 in the Without McIlroy market.

(-5 Under) Jason Day 33/1 at Boylesports

71-72-65 Aussie Day blitzed his third round after seeing the coruse was a bit more forgiving. This is the first time at the US Open, and you may remember his effort at last year’s PGA when he was also tied for fourth at that day (finsihng T10). Fired a wonderful -6 under par for the third round to put himself -5 under for the tournament, level with Lee Westwood. Produces another blinder like the third round and his 11/2 at Bet365 w/o McIlroy looks nice.

(-6 Under) YE Yang: 33/1 at William Hill

68-67-70 Lost just a little bit of momentum today after dropping a shot on the second. He didn’t pull back a shot under the 14th. The South Korean went into the day determined not to play catch up golf, but instead concentrate on his own game. He did that quite well and it was a solid enough round, but would have liked to have been at least a couple of shots closer to McIlroy. Yang looked confident and wasted no time in getting around the course. Don’t think he has a strong a finish in him as he would like, and he is drifting in the odds. Currently trading at 7/2 with SkyBet in the w/o McIlroy market.

Round Two YE Yang looks the most likely to track down McIlroy, but at this stage even that gap looks a bit unattainable. You remember his efforts against Tiger Woods in the 2009 USPGA event? He held overturned a two shot deficit to beat Tiger Woods on that occasion. Is that going to happen again this year? Well, he is certainly playing his game, concentrating on playing his own game rather than looking at the chase he needs to do to catch runaway leader Rory McIlroy. It is a big daunting task ahead for the Korean, but he looks to be going along at a steady pace, finishing on -2 under for the day. That leaves him six shots back of the leader, but if he were to pick up another two shots in the third round and McIlroy drops a couple, then it would make for a fascinating day. Still a chance. Along with McIlroy, the only other man in the field to have two sub seventy rounds at Congressional so far.

Round One -2 Under Took full advantage of all the par threes at Congressional. Yang fired five birdies in his first round, picking up one on each of the four par threes on the course. Again found the going easier on the front part of the course, as he dropped two shots on the back nine, both on par 4’s. Yang is a great little dynamo around the golf course and punches the ball quite well. Off to a good start, but wonder if he has the consistency over the next three rounds to hold this together. Big mover in the outright winner odds for Yang.

(-5 Under) Robert Garrigus: 80/1 at Victor Chandler

70-70-68 He sure can drive a mean ball off the tee can the American. Very steady through the third round, with three birdies on the front nine, plus one dropped on the third. Found the going over the back nine a little more difficult and nailed only one more birdie in the round. A good top ten finish will be great for him here, has only shown up really here with the course helping out a bit.

(-4 Under) Matt Kuchar: 80/1 at SkyBet

72-68-69 Another one who was really hurt by his first round. Kuchar is consistent, but you don’t see him having that explosive power to be able to go ahead and make huge in roads into the lead. 

(-4 Under) Sergio Garcia: 80/1 at Bet365

69-71-69 Played another solid round of golf, but not low enough when the rest of the field was finding its feet. Fired another 69, which should help keep him in the top ten.

Round Two Haven’t seen the Spaniard play this well for a long time. There is a marked difference in the game between McIlroy and that of Garcia. McIlroy is simply breezing around the course, while Garcia is having to fight and scrap just to stay in touch. Still, if he was to get even closer you wouldn’t expect him to really hold himself together to push to the title. He will be looking at envy at McIlroy’s position.

Round One -2 Under Almost didn’t even bother taking up qualification for the US Open this year, but after his first round he’ll be glad about his last minute decision to do so. He was keeping up with Rory McIlroy at one point on -3 under par, but let things slip towards the end of the round, after bogeying the 14th and 18th. It was a pretty good opening round from the Spaniard though, who was never really a serious threat in the betting. Drove the ball quite well on day one, whether or not he can keep this up over three rounds is a different matter.

Interestingly with Rory McIlroy opening up a major lead in the US Open at Congressional following two spectacular rounds of golf, the Northern Irishman has shot to favourite in 2011 Sports Personality of the Year betting. At the time of writing, McIlroy has led in five of the six rounds of Major tournament golf which has been played in 2011, and clearly the bookies are expecting him to land his first ever Major at Congressional this weekend. His record breaking -11 under after two rounds really puts him in a strong position, and with nothing else too much going on this year in terms of spectacular outstanding personal sporting achievements, he is now 2/1 favourite at Bet365 in 2011 Sports Personality of the Year betting. He tops the list ahead of athlete Jessica Ennis who was named as an MBE and trading at 3/1 with Victor Chandler, her time would probably come next year though after the Olympics as she is a big Gold Medal hopeful. The biggest threat to Rory McIlroy at the moment, could come in the next couple of weeks with Andy Murray at Wimbledon. Andy Murray is trading at 8/1 at William Hill in 2011 Sports Personality of the Year betting at the moment, but of course, were the Scotsman to land the Wimbledon title, that priced would be slashed. But McIlroy really is in a strong position to win the US Open right now, and there is no reason why he couldn’t go further this year if he breaks his duck in the Majors. So it is worth getting an ante post bet down on McIlroy to be 2011 Sports Personality of the Year right now before he puts he wins his biggest title. If you want an outside bet, then look at Andy Murray for sheer value. He has two more Grand Slam chances left in the year.