The British Open betting odds for 2009 feature all of the top finishers from the 2008 tournament. However, the 2009 British Open odds are much different from the 2008 British Open odds because Tiger Woods is back in the British Open betting odds after missing last year’s tournament to undergo knee surgery, and Phil Mickelson is absent from the 2009 British Open odds. Nevertheless, bettors looking for value in the 2009 British Open betting odds should undoubtedly consider the potential of the golfers who played especially well in the tournament last year.
The British Open odds for Padraig Harrington paid off handsomely in 2008, as he won the tournament for a second year in a row. In 2009 he will obviously be trying to earn his third consecutive victory, and his British Open odds will unquestionably appeal to many bettors. Despite his recent successes in the tournament, though, Harrington’s British Open odds reflect him as a huge underdog compared to Tiger, and Harrington is also listed behind Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy in the British Open betting odds.
Some bettors feel as though Harrington has the best chance to win the 2009 tournament after Tiger, but only time will tell whether history can repeat itself. The second place finisher in 2008 was Ian Poulter, who is featured just behind Harrington in the 2009 British Open odds. Poulter is a very talented golfer, but his 2008 finish was easily the best he has ever placed in a Major Championship.
Australia’s Greg Norman tied for third place in 2008, but the 2009 British Open betting odds list him as an underdog in the middle of the pack. Norman is an extremely accomplished golfer who has twice won the British Open, in 1986 and 1993, but at age 54 he is clearly past his prime. Some bettors may support Norman in the 2009 British Open odds due to his stellar reputation and the high payout such odds would offer, but most bettors do not think Norman still has what it takes to compete with the likes of Woods, Sergio Garcia, and Harrington.
Tying with Norman in 2008 was Henrik Stenson from Sweden. The 2009 British Open betting odds favor Stenson above Poulter but below Harrington. Finally, Jim Furyk tied for fifth in 2008 (with amateur Chris Wood) and the 2009 British Open odds list Furyk similar to Stenson.
With Tiger back in the hunt, it is quite possible that none of these five golfers will win the 2009 British Open, and it is always even possible that none of them will even finish in the top five. Nevertheless, when analyzing the 2009 British Open odds it is certainly worthwhile to consider the value of the golfers who thrived in the tournament one year ago.