PGA Golf Column: Teeing It Up with IJ Schecter

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Handicapping the Open

IJ Schecter

Senior Golf Writer, Fantrax

Of the last 14 majors in golf, there have been a whole bunch of different winners. Fourteen, to be exact. No, I'm serious. Since Tiger decided to let other guys win (around the same time his wife decided to not let him be married to her any more), we've seen a parade of victors less predictable than gas prices at your local pump.

Who will win this year's Open Championship, starting this Thursday at Royal Lytham? It's anyone's guess. But here's how I see the odds shaking out, just in case you were thinking of laying a pound or two. Those I list below have a shot. Everyone else will be done by the weekend. But given how things have been going, it may be safest just to bet on the field. Good luck.

3:1

Lee Westwood - Because he knows how to keep smiling and having fun even when it's windy and raining.

Luke Donald - Because eventually he has to justify his ranking by winning a major. Doesn't he?

4:1

Louis Oosthuizen - Because he's become the new Padraig Harrington: He wins one, you think he got lucky, and then he wins another. And, maybe, more.

Justin Rose - Because this just might be the year he finally figures out how to close on Sunday during a big one.

6:1

Tiger Woods - Because I personally don't think he has it in him to take the Claret Jug this week, but you can only bet against Tiger so much.

Phil Mickelson - Because I personally don't think he has it in him to take the Claret Jug this week, but you can only bet against Phil so much.

Martin Kaymer - Because he's been consistent, he's got game, and he knows how good he can be.

8:1

Bubba Watson - Because he's that classic "He won a major?" type of golfer who probably won't catch lightning in a bottle again - but you never know.

9:1

Darren Clarke - Because, while it's hard to repeat, he's learned how to win this particular one, and that can't be overstated.

Geoff Ogilvy - Because he always flies under the radar, but always seems to be in the hunt when it matters.

Rickie Fowler - Because he seems just about ready to take the next step. If it isn't now, it will be soon.

10:1

Hunter Mahan - Because he's got serious skills, and one of these days he's going to put it all together in a major, probably when we least expect it.

Adam Scott - Because he's awfully good looking, but he can also be awfully frustrating to watch over the course of four consecutive days of a major.

Keegan Bradley - Because once you've finally climbed the hump, it's easier to do it again.

12:1

Rory McIlroy - Because he's already talking about how much he dislikes the weather, which means he's mentally talking himself out of winning before the tournament starts.

Zach Johnson - Because he's super-confident, because he just won, and because only Tiger, Phil and Steve Stricker have more wins over the past five years. No, seriously.

Dustin Johnson - Because if he decides to play the thinking man's game that Tiger did a few years back and leave the driver in the bag, it could pay serious dividends come Sunday.

20:1

Sergio Garcia - Because all the talent in the world can't overcome the instinct to blame everyone but yourself.

Jim Furyk - Because, despite the God-awful swing, you can never really count him out. Not yet.

25:1

Yoshinori Fujimoto - Because, admit it, wouldn't you love to be able to say, "The winner of the 2012 British Open is Yoshinori Fujimoto"? Wouldn't you like any excuse to say his name? This is the best name in golf since Jose Maria Olazabal.

Ryo Ishikawa - Because I really want a Japanese golfer to win a major. I just think it would be a ton of fun all around.

50:1

Tadahiro Takayama - See above.

IJ Schecter is the author of the bestselling collection Slices: Observations from the Wrong Side of the Fairway. E-mail him at ij@ijschecter.com and follow him on Twitter at @ijschecter.

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