British Open from Turnberry - Group Betting Picks

When: Thursday-Sunday, July 16-19
Where: Turnberry's Ailsa Course, Scotland
Yardage/Par: 7,204 yards; par 70
2008 champion: Padraig Harrington
TV: Thu., Fri. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. ET on TNT;
Sat. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ET on ABC;
Sun. 8 a.m. ET-1:30 p.m. ET on ABC

BetUS online sportsbook fans will need to get up bright and early in the United States this Thursday to see the first round of the 2009 British Open.

Being held at Turnberry in Britain, the British Open is the PGA’s third major of the year. Not only will the British showcase the best talent in Europe, but America’s best figures to line up behind the tee and hit golf balls for American glory.

One of the categories in which gamblers will be allowed to bet is 72 Hole Group Betting. 72 Hole Group Betting places golfers into a group. Bettors need only pick the winner of he group to cash a nice, profitable, ticket.

Let’s take a look at 72 Hole Group Betting for the 2009 British Open.

British Open: 72 Hole Group Betting

Group A: Sergio Garcia +300, Lee Westwood +300, Rory McIlroy +350, Padraig Harrington +350, Paul Casey +350

Analysis: This is Group A for a reason. Garcia came on some in the U.S. Open while Paul Casey was a big disappointment. The buzz is out on Lee Westwood as he is one of the favorites, after Tiger Woods, to win the British Open this year. Everybody has a shot in this group, but I believe it comes down to the two Irishmen, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington. Out of the two, Harrington makes the most sense, but McIlroy is the sexy pick. I’m going with Padraig who has had a terrible 2009 so far but no doubt will be geared up to win his third British Open in a row.

Pick: Padraig Harrington

Group B: Jim Furyk +275, Hunter Mahan +300, Ian Poulter +300, Henrik Stenson +350, Ernie Els +350

Analysis: It’s hard to go against a consistent guy like Furyk, but Mahan has been on fire lately. He was actually waiting for Tiger to par the last three holes of the AT&T National. He also finished 5th in the U.S. Open. Stenson and Els could also be tough, they almost always are, but I like Ian Poulter. To me, the 2008 runner-up could be ready to shine this year and a beat down of this group is more than possible.

Pick: Ian Poulter

Group C: Steve Stricker +300, Martin Kaymer +325, Geoff Ogilvy +325, Retief Goosen +325, Anthony Kim +350

Analysis: Kaymer is going for a third straight European Tour event but he hasn’t done well in Majors, missing the cut in 4 out of 6 tournaments. Goosen just doesn’t strike me as ready to win the British Open. Ogilvy has seriously tailed off after his hot start to 2009. Kim doesn’t have the mental game as evidenced by his strange play in the final round of the AT&T National when paired with Tiger Woods. That leaves the John Deere Classic winner, Steve Stricker who was in 81st place after the first round of the John Deere before shooting a 10 under par to get into second place in the second round. That’s the mental toughness it takes to win the British Open.