Outright plays (total stake per play: 1.5pts)
Ernie Els to win 10/1 e.w. @ GolfingGods [6 places]
Very difficult to completely overlook Els in this event. He has finished in the top-3 in four of the last five years, including 2nd at St. Andrews in 2000 and 11th the previous time at the Old Course when, in his own words, "[he] had a great chance to win in ?95 but putted badly in the final round." Throw in 2nd place finishes in the Dunhill Links Championship in 2001 and 2003 and a 7th place last year and there really is good cause to believe him when he says "I just love links golf, though. I feel comfortable on this type of golf course. It suits my game." And having taken the 1st round to get used to his new driver last week, he played really well over the next 54 holes and comes into this event in very confident mood. It really is very difficult to overlook Ernie Els in this event, particularly as every champion at St. Andrews since 1970 had previously won at least one major championship.
Davis Love to win 33/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power, Boyle Sports and BetFred [6 places]
In terms of ability to play links golf, there are very few who can compete with Els, but with Love's record in this event - in the last eight years, his worst finish has been 21st which is better than Els - and his record on seaside courses such as Pebble Beach (two-time winner) and Harbour Town (five-time winner), he is also another player who should be considered every year for this event, particularly when in form. And he is in form at the moment: he has finishes of 4th, 2nd and 6th in his last four events. Sporting Odds & Sportingbet offer 40/1, but I'll take the 6 place option elsewhere.
Kenny Perry to win 80/1 e.w. @ BetInternet, Paddy Power and BetFred [6 places]
By contrast, Perry has never played this course and has only played in this event three times. He played in the 1991 Open at Royal Birkdale and missed the cut and didn?t came back until 2003. But he finished 8th on that occasion and found that he actually liked links golf and came back again last year and finished 16th. He has the experience to play well at St. Andrews and although he is not a major champion, he has at least reached a playoff for a major title ? the 1996 PGA Championship - and he is already a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year and finished 3rd in his last outing. Shouldn't be 80/1.
Justin Leonard to win 80/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power [6 places]
And nor should Leonard who won the Open at Royal Troon in 1997. And while Tiger Woods is famous for his course management in the 2000 Open, it must be remembered that Leonard also managed to avoid finding sand when he won in 1997. Excellent course management, a good links player and a player who also reached a playoff for the 1999 title at Carnoustie, this should make him a decent proposition for this event every year. But moreso this year than before because of the commitment that he has shown to winning again. He teamed up with Dallas trainer Bob MacDonald last October, built up a considerable amount of muscle from powerlifting and not only did it reap early rewards with victory at the Bob Hope Classic at the start of the year, but he also won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in May. No longer a short hitter, Leonard will not be disadvantaged by the lengthening of the course - he ranked 15th in driving distance in his last event - and he comes into the event in good form following a 7th place finish in the Barclays Classic.
Ernie Els to win 10/1 e.w. @ GolfingGods [6 places]
Very difficult to completely overlook Els in this event. He has finished in the top-3 in four of the last five years, including 2nd at St. Andrews in 2000 and 11th the previous time at the Old Course when, in his own words, "[he] had a great chance to win in ?95 but putted badly in the final round." Throw in 2nd place finishes in the Dunhill Links Championship in 2001 and 2003 and a 7th place last year and there really is good cause to believe him when he says "I just love links golf, though. I feel comfortable on this type of golf course. It suits my game." And having taken the 1st round to get used to his new driver last week, he played really well over the next 54 holes and comes into this event in very confident mood. It really is very difficult to overlook Ernie Els in this event, particularly as every champion at St. Andrews since 1970 had previously won at least one major championship.
Davis Love to win 33/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power, Boyle Sports and BetFred [6 places]
In terms of ability to play links golf, there are very few who can compete with Els, but with Love's record in this event - in the last eight years, his worst finish has been 21st which is better than Els - and his record on seaside courses such as Pebble Beach (two-time winner) and Harbour Town (five-time winner), he is also another player who should be considered every year for this event, particularly when in form. And he is in form at the moment: he has finishes of 4th, 2nd and 6th in his last four events. Sporting Odds & Sportingbet offer 40/1, but I'll take the 6 place option elsewhere.
Kenny Perry to win 80/1 e.w. @ BetInternet, Paddy Power and BetFred [6 places]
By contrast, Perry has never played this course and has only played in this event three times. He played in the 1991 Open at Royal Birkdale and missed the cut and didn?t came back until 2003. But he finished 8th on that occasion and found that he actually liked links golf and came back again last year and finished 16th. He has the experience to play well at St. Andrews and although he is not a major champion, he has at least reached a playoff for a major title ? the 1996 PGA Championship - and he is already a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year and finished 3rd in his last outing. Shouldn't be 80/1.
Justin Leonard to win 80/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power [6 places]
And nor should Leonard who won the Open at Royal Troon in 1997. And while Tiger Woods is famous for his course management in the 2000 Open, it must be remembered that Leonard also managed to avoid finding sand when he won in 1997. Excellent course management, a good links player and a player who also reached a playoff for the 1999 title at Carnoustie, this should make him a decent proposition for this event every year. But moreso this year than before because of the commitment that he has shown to winning again. He teamed up with Dallas trainer Bob MacDonald last October, built up a considerable amount of muscle from powerlifting and not only did it reap early rewards with victory at the Bob Hope Classic at the start of the year, but he also won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in May. No longer a short hitter, Leonard will not be disadvantaged by the lengthening of the course - he ranked 15th in driving distance in his last event - and he comes into the event in good form following a 7th place finish in the Barclays Classic.
