The Open Championship: Top 10 Best Bets to Win at Royal St. George's

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The 2011 Open Championship is being played at Royal St. George's, located just a few hours outside London, England. The defending champion is Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa.

The Open Championship, one of the four major championships, typically challenges the world's best golfers because of its length and difficulty.

The deep bunkers and normally windy conditions make for a great weekend for television. To help you decide who to watch and what to expect, I've made a list of 10 golfers most likely to win it.

(Odds according to www.bet365.com)

10. Ian Poulter

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Poulter's previous best finish in The Open Championship came in 2008 when he finished in second. In fact, that's his best finish in any major during his career. Since joining the PGA Tour, Poulter has just one victory and that came last last year.

Some would say this Englishman has been a disappointment in America and I couldn't argue with them. The good news for Poulter is that this years Open is in his home country of England. Maybe this weekend will be the homecoming he had hoped for.

Odds: 70 to 1 

9. Nick Watney

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Nick Watney is coming off a victory at the AT&T National earlier in July, giving him two PGA Tour wins this year. This 30-year-old from California finished tied for seventh in last year's Open Championship and looks to improve upon that finish.

Watney failed to make the cut at the U.S. Open, so he'll look to win his first career major this weekend.

Odds: 35 to 1

8. K.J. Choi

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K.J. Choi was impressive in the years Players Championship ending a winless drought on American soil that lasted over three years. However, Choi's best finish at The Open Championship is a tie for eighth back in 2007.

I like Choi's style and his consistency, which is why he made the list. If this course starts to play a long and straight, Choi might be unable to keep up with some of the big hitters. 

Odds: 50 to 1

7. Sergio Garcia

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Sergio has come so close to winning The Open Championship finishing in the top-10 in six times. Most recently in 2007, Garcia lost in a four hole playoff to eventual champion Padraig Harrington.

Garcia has made the cut in eight of the nine events he's entered this year, but his best finish is tied for seventh in the U.S. Open. However this weekends major is his favorite of the four, so perhaps he can finally the monkey off his back.

Odds: 30 to 1

6. Lee Westwood

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Lee Westwood has finished in the top-three in each major, but has yet to win one. After becoming the worlds number one golfer in 2010, Westwood has won just one tournament and it was on the European Tour.

It seems like this Brit is always on the first page of the leader board, but never at the top. If he can find a way to win this weekend, it would definitely be a career-defining win in his home country.

Odds: 11 to 1 

5. Justin Rose

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Justin Rose earned his first two PGA Tour victories last year. He also didn't make the cut or did not play in all four majors during the 2010 season. With that said, Justin Rose is still a legitimate threat to win this years Open Championship.

Rose's biggest problem is consistence, which he will look to find this weekend. At 30 years old, Rose still has plenty of time to win his first career major.

Odds: 50 to 1

4. Dustin Johnson

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Dustin Johnson can crush the ball of the tee and since Royal St. George's is a links corse, this weekend sets up well for him.

Johnson has yet to completely recover from his meltdown at the 2010 PGA Championship, but the 27-year-old has the type of free flowing game that should help with that.

If he can keep his score under par heading into the weekend, Johnson could have a big impact in the final two rounds.

Odds: 60 to 1

3. Rory McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy at number three here might surprise a few people. Considering he's been hearing how he's the second coming of Tiger Woods for over three weeks now, I do expect a bit of a let down from Rory.

However a let down from this 22-year-old means still means he'll have moments of brilliance. I expect McIlroy to hang around, but in the end mistakes will make the difference between winning and coming up just short.

Odds: 8 to 1

2. Adam Scott

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Adam Scott looked like the golfer everybody expected of him in this years Masters finishing in a tie for, second place. Scott had the lead on the 17th hole on Sunday, but couldn't manage to hold off Schwartzel.

The Aussie does have a legitimate shot at winning this years Open Championship, but he'll have to play a near perfect tournament to do so.

Odds: 66 to 1

1. Luke Donald

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Luke Donald has won three tournaments already in 2011, enough to give him the title of the world's No. 1 golfer. Donald ranks third in scoring average on the PGA Tour, but to most Americans he's underachieved after reaching that milestone.

If Donald is going to win a major, this is likely one of his best chances. At age 33, this Englishman will have to compete with the likes of Rory McIlroy and possibly Tiger Woods in the coming years.

Everything is in place for Luke Donald to win the 140th Open Championship.

Odds: 11 to 1