British Open Odds 2013: Tiger Woods and More Favorites Set for Failure

Per Bovada, Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson have the most favorable odds heading into the 2013 Open Championship. However, there is reason to believe none of the three will win the year's third major.

In Woods' case, the Muirfield golf course seems set up perfectly for him. He should be able to use long irons instead of drivers, which gives players with his power a distinct advantage. Thus, his chances of winning are listed at 8-1.

That said, Woods has experienced firsthand how nightmarish Muirfield can be.

In 2002, the last year the Open championship was held at Muirfield, Woods had an abysmal third round. He shot an 81 that completely eliminated him from serious competition.

It will only take one day close to that this week to create the same fate. While it makes sense for Woods to be favored and a top-five finish is probable, anything short of a win is a failure for Woods.

With his history on the course and the strength of the field, it is hard to see him actually pulling out the win.

Mickelson just won the Scottish Open, which serves as a solid tune-up for the Open Championship. Lefty's odds to win are listed at 14-1, but whenever Mickelson is involved, the choke factor has to be considered.

He nearly gave away the win at the Scottish Open as his poor putting allowed Branden Grace to force him into a playoff. Putting well will be especially important at Muirfield, and Mickelson's game has been too erratic in that regard.

A nightmarish first or second round should spell the end of Mickelson's chance to seriously contend.

Rose did win the U.S. Open, but he was simply the best of the bunch who were largely befuddled by Merion golf course. Nevertheless, his win in the year's second major is a big reason he's listed at 18-1 odds. Muirfield shouldn't play nearly as tough, and thus putting should become one of the predominant factors.

Rose simply hasn't been anything special with the putter this season. He's ranked no higher than 89th on tour in any of the three most common distances (inside five feet, five to 10 feet and five to 15 feet).

That type of putting won't produce much success this week. Of the three big names listed here, Rose has the best chance of missing the cut.

Check here or any other Bleacher Report article on the 2013 British Open for a real-time leaderboard:

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