The Open Championship Odds 2011: Top Irish Player – McIlroy, Harington, McDowell

Open Championship odds for 2011 top Irish player had the favorite to win, Rory McIlroy as the favorite with 2/5 odds.  Graeme McDowell was listed at 4/1, Padraig Harrington at 5/1 and Darren Clarke was the long shot with 14/1 odds, all available at 888Sport.com (*US customers not permitted at 888Sport.com.  BetDSI.com allows betting by US citizens here). 

None of these players are required to win the 2011 Open Championship as part of this bet option, they nearly have to come out on top among their Irish counterparts. 

McIlroy is said to be on course to becoming the richest Brit, especially if he manages to win this week’s Open Championship.

"What I will say is that when he comes to sign new deals Rory won't be a million miles away from what Tiger gets, based on what the amount of reaction we have had after the US Open and what people want and what they are offering,'' McIlroy’s agent Andrew Chandler said. "With Rory, there are no rules any more. I have no idea what he is worth because there is no set value on what he does."

Padraig Harrington offers great value at 4/1 considering he won the Open Championship two consecutive years not too long ago.

Harrington suggests that the “fear factor” could take its toll on McIlroy at this week’s Open.

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"Perhaps only 0.01 per cent of golfers have figured out how to control their fear," Harrington said in an interview with The Times. "You've got to think Jack Nicklaus, you've got to think Ben Hogan. But there are very, very few. The rest - over 99 per cent of golfers - have some fear in their game, to different degrees.

"Why does a guy win a tournament one week and then miss the cut the next week? Why does a guy look like a superstar for six months or a year and then he's gone the following year? There are very few players who have sustainability or longevity. We are all just trying to keep our head above water."

Meanwhile, McDowell is the wildcard, having won Pebble Beach in 2010. 

In regard to McIlroy’s recent hot streak, McDowell offered:  “I loved seeing him win at Congressional. He is a legend and a great friend, but that friendly rivalry would go out of the window if we were going head-to-head for The Open. I want to win it before he does

- Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com