The 150th Open

[Mackman15]

Tiger at 11/2, then Westwood (16's), McIlroy(17's), Phil, Ernie and Padraig at (18's)

Personally, i'd take the field against Tiger if it were available and for a small interest perhaps Tom Watson again at 250/1. Wouldn't be bad on the 1st 7 places.

I suppose McIlroy or McDowell with their links history have to be worth considering but for no better reason than that. Paddy H. needs to buck up and get himself into Ryder Cup mode but the form has not been obvious to date.

[Slipper1]

Really looking forward to this - spending the weekend in Clonakilty with nothing to do but watch the golf.

[Sauvignon Blank]

If the wind blows Woods will need to use his Driver which he will prefer not to. If the weather is benign he'll use his 2 Iron to avoid the bunkers, the successful strategy employed in 2005 when he last won at the Old course.

If Harrington gets off to a good start and doesn't play himself out of contention on Thursday i'd be quietly confident he'd mount a challenge at the weekend. That said if he's on the leaderboard by the start of play Sunday, it's most definitely game on.

Looking forward to it, would be nice to have another Irishman as 'Champion Golfer' of the year alongside the US Open champion.

I've a feeling a Brit might win this one, Poulter, Rose and Westwood showing good form.

[Mackman15]

I can't see Tiger being in it at all. Regardless of the new putter, i just can't see it. The weather is meant to be muck to start with.

[IanD]

Paddypower are paying out on the first 7 places.

Anyone have any ideas on longshots who might make a good each way bet.

[Mackman15]

Paddypower are paying out on the first 7 places.

Anyone have any ideas on longshots who might make a good each way bet.

Peter Hanson @ 100's and Allenby @ 80's.

The 7 places looks great but hey cut this to sh&t by the time they have fella's in tied position, so if you have a 1st, joint 3rd and a joint 4th or 5th, there's every chance that there will not be a 7th spot and the next could be a joint 11th.

Nice marketing coup so be warned.

[Donny B.]

Can anyone explain why Rory Mcilroy is second favourite to win this?

[Mackman15]

Can anyone explain why Rory Mcilroy is second favourite to win this?

Indeed, a lot of weight on young shoulders.
While it doesn't fully explain it i would suggest that the fact that he was born and reared on links golf would have a lot to do with it. That and the fact that he is on a good streak at the minute.
The same logic would apply of course to G-Mac and by some extension Shane lowry who won an Irish Open in truly sh&ite conditions last year.

There's a lot of viable major winners immediately behind Rory. Interesting to see. Come this time tomorrow night 2/3rds of the field will be gone. That might make it a tad easier.

[Donny B.]

Terrible start for Harrington - Double Bogey at the first.

John Daly having a great start at 5 under at the turn.

[Donny B.]

Daly seven under after 11 now.

He's really taking advantage of some very benign conditions at the moment.

[sarah_lennon]

Fabulous

[jezzer]

Daly tearing the place up. 13 out fo 14 greens in regulation and has 7 one-putt holes under his belt, to go with a chip-in. The course suits hims really well and if he keeps this up, he's a legit contender.

[Donny B.]

Mcilroy up to 5 under now. An eagle and two birdies in his last three holes.

Always believed in you Rory!!!

[Donny B.]

Daly tearing the place up. 13 out fo 14 greens in regulation and has 7 one-putt holes under his belt, to go with a chip-in. The course suits hims really well and if he keeps this up, he's a legit contender.

That's the big question. He's had great starts before but then blown up spectacularly.

[jezzer]

True, but he not the basket case he once was. I'm not sure I'd put money on him to win, but I bet he'll be in the top 5.

[dod]

Rory to 6 under. Now only one shot back from Daly.. I knew that 16/1 was a good bet.. Tiger to 3 under now

[Danthefan]

I'd say the organisers will be praying for a bit of wind to kick up, it's embarrassing to see guys tearing up the course like this imo. Daly could easily be about 10 under by now if he hadn't missed a few putts.

[Donny B.]

McIlroy leads on seven under.

[future international]

McIlroy never hot worse than a 69 on the Old Course

[Slipper1]

McIlroy on -8 now, on his way to the 16th