British Open Favorites 2013: Projecting Total Busts and Failures at Muirfield

The 2013 British Open at Muirfield Golf Links in Gullane, Scotland is one of the most anticipated events of the year, but certain perennial favorites will struggle and fail in the 142nd edition of the tournament.

While the hype around major championships in golf is always through the roof, the anticipation for the British Open after an amazing U. S. Open at Merion has golf fans across the world ready for this week’s action.

The following fan favorites will struggle at Muirfield and turn into the biggest busts of the tournament.

Tiger Woods (8-1 odds)

As a three-time British Open champion and a four-time winner this season, veteran Tiger Woods comes into this week’s tournament as a favorite to win it all. Not so fast.

While Woods claims the elbow injury that plagued him at the U.S. Open is much better now, per Steve DiMeglio of USA Today, there is little doubt nagging injuries have played a role in his mediocre play at past majors.

If the injury starts affecting the way Woods plays, this will be an awful showing for the legend.

Add in the fact that he hasn’t played in a tournament since shooting 13 over par at Merion Golf Club, and Woods will have to find a rhythm while contending with the rust of missing over a month of action.

Woods will fail at Muirfield.

Sergio Garcia (25-1 odds)

The controversy between Sergio Garcia and Woods has passed for the most part, and the Spanish star’s hope is that he can regain his form after a horrible 15-over-par performance at the U.S. Open.

Muirfield has a similar layout as Merion (longer but just as treacherous), and Garcia struggled mightily there. While many expect the European star to excel across the Atlantic, Garcia will be one of the week’s biggest busts.

Garcia must try to translate the success he found at the BMW International Open at the end of June (seventh-place finish) into a solid start at the British Open, but the pressure of these big situations always tends to be his downfall.

Dustin Johnson (33-1 odds)

American star Dustin Johnson is one of the best players on the PGA Tour, but his trip to Scotland will be a letdown for the power hitter. After not playing since the BMW International Open (18th-place finish), Johnson will be trying to find his winning stroke.

While Johnson is one of the best ball-strikers in the tournament, Muirfield is not a forgiving course. Power can limit accuracy, and if Johnson isn’t hitting the ball where he wants it at the British Open, he will be in serious trouble.

Johnson had an awful showing at Merion during the U.S. Open, finishing at 17 over for the tournament. With Muirfield likely playing a lot like Merion, golf fans should expect to see the American struggle.

All odds via Bovada.

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