Golf Betting Odds

PGA European Scottish Open - July 10th thru July 13th, 2008

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

With the British Open next week, several of the world’s top players are competing in this week’s European stop, the Scottish Open, to prepare for Royal Birkdale and the season’s third major.

Chief among the players at Loch Lomond this week is world No. 2 and presumptive British Open favorite Phil Mickelson, who is the WagerWeb.com favorite this week as well at +600. Lefty makes the Scottish Open an annual event to warm-up for the British Open.

“Part of getting ready for next week is performing well this week, hitting shots sharply and crisply, being prepared for this week,” said Mickelson, who said he had already laid the foundations for his British Open title challenge.

"I arrived on Sunday morning at Birkdale and I spent three days over there," he said.

Mickelson nearly won the Scottish Open last year but bogeyed the final hole to fall into a tie with Gregory Havret, then bogeyed it again on the first playoff hole to hand the victory to the Frenchman.

Chief among his rivals here is world No. 3 Adam Scott and former winners Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood. Twelve of the world’s top 50 are in attendance this week.

Scott (+950 this week on WagerWeb.com) has played this event five times, with three top-12 finishes, including a tie for third.

Els (+1000) has won this tournament twice and has only once been outside the top 20 in nine visits, while his last 20 rounds average out at a stellar 67.75. But he has missed a total of five cuts this year in Europe and the U.S., including the Masters. He hopes for a boost of confidence this week.

 

"My game's been a little bit dicey to say the least," he said. "I've had three weeks off...so the game's got a bit of rust on it. … I have had a good run here. I have won twice (in 2000 and 2003) and had some close finishes.

"I feel it's a good course for me and for my game and I feel refreshed for once."

Perhaps the smart money is on Ian Poulter (+3000), whose last five finishes at the Scottish Open are 5th-10th-4th-14th-8th.

Two European big names not in Scotland this week are Sergio Garcia and reigning British Open champ Padraig Harrington, who are doing their British Open preparations in their home countries.

Bet on Golf at WagerWeb.com