British Open preview: Tiger Woods is favourite to win at Muirfield

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods has been placed as the favourite to win the 142nd British Open at  Muirfield, which begins on July18.

Regardless of the fact that he hasn’t won a major in the last five years, Tiger will be gunning for a 15th Major title. The odds for him are, however, in double figure for the first time in 13 years.

Ernie Els who is the defending champ is 25-1 to regain the title at the very course where he lifted the Claret Jug way back in 2002, and Justin Rose the winner of the US open is 20-1 to become the first Englishman to win the tournament since Nick Faldo in 1992.

Woods is looking forward to the challenge of playing  in fine weather conditions, as compared to 2002 when his hopes at Muirfield were handed a blow by a third-round 81 in extreme wind and rainy conditions.

“I’m looking forward to it,” the American told a news conference. “What a fantastic championship on one of the best venues.”

“It’s playing really fast out there. The golf course has got a little bit of speed to it and I’m sure it will get really quick by the weekend so the golf course is set up perfectly.”

The 43-year-old Ernie Els felt that he stood a good chance, especially since he is coming in after his fourth Major championship win just 12 months ago.

Phil Mickelson, who is four-times Major champion, and last week’s Scottish Open winner is 20-1 to win his first British Open, coming in with the same odds as Justin Rose.

source: Reuters