British Open 2012 Odds: Who Experts Believe Have Best Chance to Win It All

The day has finally come and the British Open is finally upon us! The question is, who will win?

While we could all offer our hand at that type of prediction, it's much more practical to evaluate the opinions of the experts. From CBS Sports to ESPN to PGATour.com, some of the brightest golfing minds in the world have chimed in.

So who have they got? Who do they predict will win the 2012 Open Championship? For those answers and more, follow along with the succeeding slides.

Farrell Evans, ESPN.com

The first expert listed is Farrell Evans of ESPN.com, who has been a member of the golfing expert community for over a decade. As for who Evans has to win big, the Georgia native has chosen a crafty veteran with a great history at Royal Lytham.

Ernie Els.

As for why Farrell Evans is picking the veteran to snag a win, here's a direct quote from his keyboard to your eyes.

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The 2002 Open champion is the only player in this year's field to get top-10s in the two previous Opens at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. In 1996, the South African finished in second place, 2 shots back of Tom Lehman, when warm and dry conditions made the course play very fast. When David Duval won here in 2001, Els tied for third.

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All excellent points that are far from disputable. The question is, how much does Els have left in the tank? If he truly does have enough left in the system, Els could emerge as a favorite in no time at all.

Evans' Pick: Ernie Els

Bob Harig, ESPN.com

There aren't many multi-time champions in the history of the British Open. Somehow, that hasn't seemed to effect many when adjusting the odds, as one Padraig Harrington has gone under the radar.

Bob Harig offers a brief but convincing argument as to why the two-time champion could take home a third crown (via ESPN.com):

"The two-time Open champion loves links golf and has been on a nice run of late, playing well at the U.S. Open, Travelers Championship and Irish Open."

With great history at the tournament and some solid recent history on tour, Harrington could indeed take home title No. 3.

The question is, how much leverage will history hold on the immediate future?

Harig's Choice: Padraig Harrington

Mike McAllister, PGATour.com

Mike McAllister is the managing editor of PGATour.com. He's spent over a decade researching and studying the sport and art of golf.

Now he's going with the safe bet.

Tiger Woods is the heavy favorite on all fronts. In McAllister's eyes, there is great reason behind that theory (via PGATour.com):

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1. He's due for another major win. 2. His refined swing changes should allow him to adapt to any and all course and weather conditions; 3. He says British Open is his favorite major; and 4. Did I mention that he's due?

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It's hard to argue against anything McCallister states. Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers of all time. He's also a player that has battled adversity and emerged victorious. Is this finally the tournament that he turns things around?

McAllister believes so. Do you?

McAllister's Pick: Tiger Woods

Ryan Smithson, PGATour.com

Ryan Smithson of PGATour.com has selected a name that very few have opted to take. This comes as a surprise, as Graeme McDowell is a golfer who is perfectly fit for this type of challenge.

Here's Smithson with the defense of his selection (via PGATour.com):

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Still mad at myself for taking Stricker over him for Olympic. Not making that mistake again. Graeme is an excellent bad-weather player for bunker-heavy Royal Lytham. Has enjoyed a sneaky good year with a pair of seconds. Major tested.

"

Graeme McDowell finished second at the U.S. Open by shooting two-over par. The story to watch here, of course, will be whether or not he can continue to build off that tremendous momentum.

If he can, he could take home the title.

Smithson's Pick: Graeme McDowell

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

We all know about Tiger Woods, but how about the other Americans?

From the underdogs to the top dogs, there has to be someone who could steal a win at the British Open.

According to Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, there is.

Dustin Johnson.

Johnson finished second at the Open Championship in 2011 and recently won a title in 2012. The question is, how will he handle Royal Lytham?

Wilson likes his chances (via CBSSports.com):

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Johnson has a lifetime of experience in dealing with soul-crushing defeats, and instead of it breaking him it's made him stronger. He won the FedEx St. Jude Classic last month and we like his chances at Royal Lytham this week. 

"

Dustin Johnson is certainly a favorite at any tournament. He's seen some of the highest highs and lowest lows, but never been able to win a major tournament. Is this the year he finally does?

Wilson's Choice: Dustin Johnson

Gene Wojciechowski, ESPN.com

For the sixth consecutive pick, an expert selects a new name.

With that being said, it shouldn't be much of a shock who.

Lee Westwood has been on the prowl for years. He finished second at the Open Championship in 2010 and is clearly looking to move up one slot in 2012.

Here's why Wojciechowski believes Lee Westwood could do just that (via ESPN):

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[Lee] Westwood knows this course fairly well, played it more than a few times as an amateur and has the tee-to-green game to survive those 205 bunkers. Plus, his short game is better than he's given credit for.

"

Although he struggled in the first round, we have learned to never say never. Westwood is a top-tier talent and should be able to fight back and compete.

Wojciechowski's Pick: Lee Westwood