Betfair Official Blog

Top trio take Carnoustie berths

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell came out on top of the controversial 36-hole Open qualifying at Sunningdale, which also saw Nick Dougherty and Miguel Angel Jimenez through.

McDowell carded 67, 64 over the Old and New course - heading the list of 16 qualifiers from 120 hopefuls to earn the right to play at Carnoustie from 19-22 July.

Dougherty, Ross Fisher and Peter Baker of England and Scotland's Alastair Forsyth were also among the qualifiers, as was popular Spaniard Jimenez.

But controversy reigned as eight players were told to replay a hole because of a difficult pin position.

Among those who failed to make it through were last year's Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, but the Welshman was happy to be playing again as he battles post-viral fatigue syndrome.

England's Brian Davis also claimed a place in the Open Championship after a superb second-round 65 at the US qualifying event at Oakland Hills, Detroit.

Michael Putnam won the event with Ryan Moore and John Senden tied for second.

PGA Tour winners Jerry Kelly and Sean O'Hair also secured their tickets with Duffy Waldorf, Spencer Levin and Australian Mark Hensby coming through a six-man play-off to win the final three spots.

Spanish amateur Pablo Martin failed to win his place, as did England's Greg Owen and Gary Christian, and Swedish trio Jesper Parnevik, Fredrik Jacobson and Daniel Chopra.

Tiger Woods dominates Betfair's Open Championship winner's market as the strong 4.1 favourite, ahead of rivals Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els (both 21).

McDowell is now 95 to maintain his form through to Carnoustie and become the first British player to take home the claret jug since Paul Lawrie in 1999.

Dougherty is available at 120 to win his first Major tournament, while Jimenez is 140 to be smoking a victory cigar on the final Sunday.