British Open: Tee off at the Royal Birkdale, leaderboard

British Open: Tee off at the Royal Birkdale, leaderboard The start of the 2008 British Open is a fact, after the players tee off at the Royal Birkdale in England. As many of you are already aware, the world's No.1 Tiger Woods is missing the action at this year's British Open, following his knee surgery. But one group is actually happy about the fact that Tiger Woods will not compete at the Open - the odds makers. Woods, always a favorite to win with the bookmakers, was replaced atop of the betting sheet by Sergio Garcia, whose odds were cut from 10/1 down to 8/1 at the online sportsbook BodogSports, following a heavy betting action on the Spaniard. And at press time Garcia was tied at No.13 on the 5th hole with one over par.

But the current leaderboard is not as forgiving to the rest of the favorites of this British Open. Padraig Harrington, who is playing through a wrist injury, finished the first round with the disappointing four over par 74, tied for the 55th spot on the leaderboard. Harrington is 12/1 at BodogSports to win the 2008 British Open. Lee Westwood, 14/1 odds on winning the Open, is also struggling, finishing 5 over 75, tied 68th on the leaderboard. How about Ernie Els? He was second favorite at 15/1 a few days before the start of the British Open, his odds were also slashed, down to 14/1 currently, but the South African player is pretty much out of the competition with 10 over par 80!

Although the British Open just began, there will be a lot of odds shifting at the end of of the first round. Current British Open leader is Adam Scott with one under par at the 9th hole. He is 25/1 to win the 2008 Open.

Published on 07/17/2008