The U.S.A has gone six consecutive majors without a win. As we come to the 2011 British Open, at Royal St. George's, Thursday July 14th, the drought is at five — and counting. So if an American is to end that drought, who will it be? PGA oddsmakers have Phil Mickelson as 7/1 odds favourite to be top American at The 2011 British Open Championship. Let’s take a look at the Top 3 Americans heading into golfs third Major. Get your 2011 British Open: Who will be top American Predictions in early to beat the rush.
Phil Mickelson is the favourite American based on what he’s done in the past, but he hasn’t played well in 2011 or at the recent Open Championships. The Open has been his toughest to contend in — just one top-10 finish in 17 career starts. He won the 2011 Shell Houston Open and has four Top 10 finishes this season.
Nick Watney comes to Royal St. George's confident and playing extremely well after making the AT&T National his second win of the season two weeks ago. He certainly doesn't fit the Ben-Curtis-under-the-radar theme on the links at Sandwich. But given the recent dearth of American major champions, I've got to go with one of our top guns. Watney tied for seventh at St. Andrews last year and he learned a lot about himself — and how to handle final round pressure — a year ago at Whistling Straits. Don't look for another meltdown if Watney gets the chance on Sunday at St. George's.
Matt Kuchar jumped across the pond to play in the Scottish Open, so he won't have any issues with jet lag. Kuchar continues to amaze with his consistently superior play. In his last four events on the PGA TOUR, he's finished no worse than a tie for 16th. Kuchar's dependable game (12 top-25s in 15 starts with no missed cuts) should be a good fit for Royal St. George’s, where par is typically a good score. Kuchar tied for 27th a year ago at St. Andrews, making the cut after missing his first three attempts as a professional.
Sleeper Pick: Davis Love is playing some terrific golf and — when he's playing well — has a pretty good Open Championship record. He tied for fourth at Royal St. George's in 2003 and his Open history will serve him well on this, the quirkiest of the courses. Magic does happen with older players in this championship.
2011 American British Open Odds:
Phil Mickelson 7/1
Nick Watney 8/1
Matt Kuchar 8/1
Steve Stricker 8/1
Dustin Johnson 10/1
Hunter Mahan 16/1
Rickie Fowler 20/1
Jeff Overton 25/1
Bubba Watson 25/1
Bo Van Pelt 20/1
Brandt Snedeker 25/1
Jim Furyk 25/1
Stewart Cink 28/1
Zach Johnson 28/1
Kevin Streelman 33/1
Ryan Moore 33/1
Webb Simpson 33/1
Ben Curtis 33/1
Chad Campbell 50/1
Charles Howell III 40/1
Davis Love III 33/1
Gary Woodland 33/1
Robert Garrigus 50/1
Sean O'Hair 40/1
Steve Marino 40/1
Anthony Kim 40/1
Bill Haas 40/1
J.B. Holmes 40/1
Jonathan Byrd 40/1
Ben Crane 50/1
Lucas Glover 40/1
Mark Wilson 50/1
Ryan Palmer 50/1
Charley Hoffman 50/1
Jason Dufner 50/1
Kyle Stanley 66/1
Jason Knutzon 100/1
Justin Leonard 50/1
David Duval 80/1
Harrison Frazar 66/1
Kevin Na 66/1
Spencer Levin 50/1
Tom Watson 66/1
Jerry Kelly 100/1
Sports-Odds.com recommends you check Golf Odds before the 2011 Open Championship
The Bottom Line: Matt Kuchar or Steve Stricker. Get your 2011 British Open: Who will be top American Predictions in early to beat the rush.
