Why Tiger Woods Should Be Considered the Early Favorite at British Open

Tiger Woods is the only golfer worthy of being considered the favorite at the British Open, which will tee off on July 19 at Royal Lytham in Lancashire, England.

Sure, he flopped and faded at the U.S. Open, but there is more promise in that tournament then there are signs of failure. 

Woods had a share of the lead after two days at the U.S., but he ended up tied for 21st. He fired a 75 in the third round, and began his final round by going six-over through six holes, and by then he was well out of contention. 

However, he was not playing terrible, he was just slightly off, and that was a course where you could not afford to be slightly off. 

This much was evident as he wrapped up his final round. After his terrible start, Woods played the final 12 holes at three-under par, and he certainly wasn't the only golfer to struggle mightily on the opening six holes at the Olympic Club. 

At the root of his problems were struggles with distance. He hit a ton of shots and putts that came up short. This is a fairly easy fix as he prepares for the next major, and there is nothing at Royal Lytham that suggests Tiger won't play well. His game adapts nicely to the links courses.

The Open was last held at the par 70 Royal Lytham in 2001. Tiger finished 25th, a full nine shots behind David Duval.

Despite this finish back in the pack, he did fire a second round 68, which was one of the better scores of the tournament. 

He will put himself in a position to win this tournament. Who knows if he will be able to seize it this time, but what I do know, is that there isn't another golfer I would bet on first.