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Open Betting Fact File: The course, the favourite and the correct name for the jug

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Tareq Quiroz braves the Irish Sea wind to give you the lowdown on the oldest major.

Established in 1860, the Open is the oldest major golf championship. Fourteen different courses have hosted the Open since the inaugural event at Prestwick. Many of which are no longer able to contend with the demands of the modern game. The current rotation features some magnificent courses and this year the Open returns to Royal Birkdale for the first time since 1998.

The Course

Royal Birkdale is the archetypal modern links course. It has stood the test of time and whilst undboutedly requiring a little assistance from the weather to play to its most demanding, it is a fearsome proposition at any time. When trying to gauge how the course will play there has to be a certain element of guess work. It is off the regular tour schedule and several years go by before we see it in action.

At 7,173 yards it is not the longest but as is always the case with links, they are designed to be played in tricky weather conditions. If the wind doesn't blow and the rain doesn't lash in off the Irish Sea then this great old track will be the victim of some pretty low scores from the world's top golfers. Conversely, if bad weather does roll in then you can be sure that there won't be many players breaking par and scores over eighty will be commonplace.

The Favourite

We have already had a few favourites and we haven't even teed off yet. The absence of Tiger has thrown the market into turmoil and we are now seemingly all agreed that Sergio Garcia is the man. The Spaniard has traded as high as [48.0] and as low as [11.5] already but is set to tee off at around [13.0].

Garcia secured the Players Championship with some great golf and continued his good form with a strong second-placed finish in the European Open two weeks ago. Couple that with his super Open form then you would have to say he is a worthy favourite.

The Next Best Bets In The Field

Despite the vast quantity of good players it is difficult to get a hold on who to follow because golf is in a transitional period. Bright youngsters are coming through and some of the old guard are beginning to lose their grip. The best options outside the top group of players are the resurgent Steve Stricker and the brightest young European prospect Martin Kaymer.

Birkdale will suit Stricker, who has shown he can play well in the Open, and [80.0] may turn out to be good vaule. Big hitting Kaymer is a superstar in the making, he could tear Royal Birkdale apart and has to be supported at current odds of [85.0].

The Massive Outsider

Winning the Open Championship takes something special but you should never assume that it is only the world's best known players who can produce the magic. In recent times we have had surprise Open wins for Paul Lawrie, Todd Hamilton and Ben Curtis. The last of these names grabs my attention.

Curtis was a rank outsider when he won the Open in 2003 and has since shown good form in patches. Two PGA Tour wins in 2006 prove he has the class to win and with the buzz he will get from coming back to the Open he merits my choice as the best outsider at current odds of around [280.00].

Interesting Info

Royal Birkdale is the only course on the current Open rota that hasn't had a UK winner. Ben Curtis was the last player to win an Open at his first attempt. Tiger is the only champion in the last 30 years to hold the lead after every round. The Claret Jug is actually just the more popular name for the original Golf Champion Trophy.

Let's hope the only fact you are interested in come Sunday evening is how you have just picked another Open winner.