2016 British Open Odds Analysis

The British Open returns to Royal Troon for the ninth time. This course is an out-and- in seaside links course. The front nine goes out in one direction, and the back nine turn around and come in the other way (if you’ve ever wondered why your golf scoring card says OUT for your total after nine holes and IN for your second nine total, that’s why). One of the most intriguing holes is #8, also called the Postage Stamp. It is the shortest hole of any in the series of courses that host the British Open, but in 2004, the participants averaged 3.09 on this 123-yard par-3 hole. So can you look at recent history when you predict the finish of a golf tournament? It’s a little tougher at tournaments like the U.S. Open and the PGA, because the courses are so different. But the courses that rotate the British Open are fairly similar. They’re all links-style courses, they are generally windswept, and they feature those pot bunkers that are so difficult to escape and that rough that is just a nightmare. So let’s take a look at the last ten Open winners. Also, be sure to check out for more betting lines by clicking here.

Taking a Closer Look at the 2016 British Open Odds Analysis

Blue skies down the 18th at Royal Troon. Anticipation building for the 1st Round tomorrow #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/59U8GssKpR

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 13, 2016

2015: Zach Johnson -15 (playoff) 2014: Rory McIlroy -17 2013: Phil Mickelson -3 2012: Ernie Els -7 2011: Darren Clarke -5 2010: Louis Oosthuizen -16 2009: Stewart Cink -2 (playoff) 2008: Padraig Harrington +3 2007: Padraig Harrington -7 (playoff) 2006: Tiger Woods -18 The last time the British Open was at Royal Troon was in 2004. Here are the top five finishers, with some expanded statistics:

Place	Name	Driving Accuracy	Driving Distance	Greens in Regulation	Total Putts
1	Todd Hamilton	T25	10	T19	T7
2	Ernie Els	T10	4	T6	11
3	Phil Mickelson	T14	15	T23	T7
4	Lee Westwood	T33	5	T11	T33
T5	Thomas Levet	2	14	T6	T18
T5	Davis Love III	T10	9	T13	T18

Look at those rankings in driving distance — power is obviously important here. But accuracy important too. Of these top six players, only one is outside the top 25, and only three are outside the top 10. So you want to carry well, but you want to carry well to the right place. Last year, the champ, Zach Johnson, came in #3 in driving accuracy and #5 for putting average (which is always important). It’s true that he only ranked #60 fir distance, so what we’re learning is that accuracy may trump power. Power will have its place, though. Tiger Woods drovethe fourth hole more than 400 yards in 1997. Big hitters like Dustin Johnson could drive the green on some of the early par fours. Here’s another thing to consider — players who take part in the Scottish Open the week before give themselves a warmup at another tournament on a links course. The U.S. Tour did not have a tournament last weekend, as flooding forced the cancellation of the Greenbrier Classic. Because links play is so different, players who have done well on it previously have a definite edge. In the British Open, ten of the last 11 winners have had a finish of no worse than sixth in the past, and seven of the last 11 had finished in the top three before. So are you’re doing your odds analysis?