Golf betting tips: Preview and tips for the 2022 British Open Championship

The 150^th Open Championship returns to the “home of golf“, St Andrew’s Golf Club, for the 30^th time this year.

Affectionately known as the ‘The Old Lady‘, the Old Course at St Andrews hosts the Open Championship every five years. The Open was last played here in 2015 with Zach Johnson emerging victorious on a score of -15 (273).

The traditional playing of the Open at St Andrews every five years was adjusted to ensure that the “home of golf” hosted this year’s historic 150^th Open Championship.

2015 British Open at St Andrews | Top 10

Course Overview

St Andrews Golf Course epitomises the term “classic links course“.

One of the unique features of the Old Course are the large double greens. Seven greens are shared by two holes each, with hole numbers adding up to 18 (2nd paired with 16th, 3rd with 15th, all the way up to 8th and 10th). Only the 1st, 9th, 17th and 18th holes have their own greens.

The Swilcan Bridge, spanning the first and 18th holes, has become a famous icon for golf.

There are 112 bunkers scattered throughout the course which are all individually named and have their own unique history. The two most famous are the 10ft deep “Hell Bunker” on the 14th hole and the “Road Hole Bunker” on the 17th hole.

An unusual thing about the Old Course is that it is closed on Sundays to let the course rest. As a general rule, Sunday play is allowed on the course on only four occasions – the final day of the Open Championship and Women’s British Open (when it is held at the Old Course, the final day of the Dunhill Links Championship (DP World Tour Event) and the final day of two amateur events, the St Andrews Links Trophy and the St Rule Trophy.

The course is located on a peninsula and its primary defences are the elements and the firm and fast conditions from the tight lies its turf provides. As is the case with all links golf the prevailing sea winds can play a major role in the scoring.

St Andrews Scorecard

The ground is generally flat but dominated by depressions and undulations. Besides the obvious sandy ground, there is an abundance of bunkers which can easily trap long drives. Instead of doglegs to hide holes, the course has plenty of large mounds covered in coarse grass and heather.

The toughest stretch of the course is the final third, with the 13th, 15th, 16th and 17th being the most difficult. The short 18th is a birdie chance provided you can avoid the ‘Valley of Sin’, a big dip in front of the green.

St Andrews stretches to 7,300+ yards and historical results tell us that it favors the longer-hitters. History also tells us that those who wish to win the Claret Jug will need to putt and scramble brilliantly.

Links experience is key and with fourteen Par 4s, Par 4 Performance will be important, a stat topped by Louis Oousthuizen on his way to victory here in 2010. Important to keep a close eye on the weather throughout the week as it can play a major role in scoring.

Patience will be key this week. Players will need to take their medicine after wayward shots and deal with whatever presents. More importantly, it will be imperative to capitalise on scoring opportunities when they arise.

British Open Tips

Jordan Spieth 16/1 (E/W) – a past Open Champion winning at Royal Birkdale in 2017. His Open Championship results since then read T9-T20-2. He also finished T4 when last played at St Andrews in 2015. Already a winner this season at the RBC Heritage, he also has two runner-up finishes at Pebble Beach and the Byron Nelson. Finished T10 in last week’s ‘warm-up‘ event the Genesis Scottish Open. Statistically balanced, the consummate pro places 4^th in this week’s Stats Analysis. Enjoying what could arguably be called a ‘comeback’ season, if the flat-stick heats up then he will be a force to be reckoned with. Standout pick.

Seamus Power 66/1 (E/W) – this is his first time teeing it up at the Open Championship. That said, it was also his first time teeing it up at the PGA Championship and US Open where he finished T9 and T12 respectively. Enjoying a break-out season with 5 x Top 10’s among 13 x Top 25 finishes. The 35-year-old places 20^th in this week’s Stats Analysis, no mean feat considering the field strength. He is also 7^th on Tour for GIR and 27^th in Strokes Gained Putting. From Ireland, he will no doubt have the necessary skill-set for links golf. Looks to have found his feet on Tour and has the game to stack up against the best in the field. Excellent each way value.