Our newest semi-regular feature here at RSS Sports is "What are the Odds?" where one of our expert Yoders will lay out the odds on certain sporting events. Today, Mr. Yoder II will give you, our grateful audience, the odds of winning for several of the leaders after 36 holes of the British Open at Turnberry. So, you'll still have time to head to Vegas to place your bets. Note: RSS Sports does not condone gambling, games of chance, or actually taking our advice when your money is at risk.
1. Tom Watson (-5) 10-1: Obviously the biggest surprise for real golf fans after 36 holes is the 59 year old having a share of the lead. Watson is the oldest man to lead a major at any point by five years! After four straight bogeys on the front nine Friday, Watson rallied with several long birdies on the back nine. If Watson were to win, he'd be the oldest major champion by 11 years! For any true fan of the game, a victory would be one of the most memorable and improbable in golf history. Watson has the pedigree to hang in there (5 British Open victories), but it would be a gamble to put serious money on him winning.
2. Steve Marino (-5) 15-1: So how can a man who's never played links golf before be tied for the lead in the British Open? One of the last men to get into the field, it would be a definite surprise if Marino pulled off the upset. However, the British may be the major most susceptible to out-of-nowhere winners (see Laurie, Paul and Curtis, Ben), so don't rule him out yet.
3. Mark Calcavecchia (-4) 12-1: Calc's one major victory was a British Open in 1989, however it's been a while since he's been a serious contender in a major tournament. Either Calc will roar to the front with a blistering round, or he will fade quickly...there's not a lot of in between anymore with his game; I doubt he's a serious threat for the Claret Jug, sorry Dad.
4. Vijay Singh/Retief Goosen (-3) 7-1: Vijay began showing signs of rounding into form with his three wins at the end of last season. But, his last major victory came in 2004 at the PGA and he doesn't have a great pedigree at the British (only 3 top 10s). His putting will hold the key to any hopes at contending over the weekend. As for Retief, he's been practically invisible since contending at the 2007 Masters (1 PGA Tour win). His famous calm demeanor could serve him well though if the weather heads south over the weekend.
5. Ross Fisher (-3) 9-2: Fisher may be an unknown, but the Englishman has two Euro Tour wins and contended at June's U.S. Open. He has the talent to win a major, and will be one of the fan favorites...that is, if he isn't called away to see the birth of his child. I think Fisher is definitely the dark horse to watch this weekend.
6. Tiger Woods (Cut) 100-1: So Tiger actually showed some human element, no he didn't give a revealing interview to Mike Tirico, but he missed only his second cut in over fifty major appearances. Still recovering his form after knee surgery, Tiger was all over the place today. But hey, if anyone can win even while missing the cut, it's Tiger Woods.
7. Sergio Garcia (-1) 150-1: Yes, this is meant to be an indictment on how dimly I view his chances to win this weekend since I'm giving him longer odds than a player who missed the cut. His putting has never been worthy of a major champion, and after two heartbreaking losses in the 2007 British and 2oo8 PGA, I don't see him coming from four back this weekend.
Also keep an eye on some other players lurking in the shadows like Lee Westwood (-2), Angel Cabrera (-1) and Jim Furyk (-1). No matter who you like, it should be an interesting final 36 over the weekend on the west coast of Scotland. If you're a golf fan, or sports fan period, there's no spectacle quite like links golf, how the game was meant to be played.
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