British Open 2015: Updated Odds for Top Contenders After the Cut
Well, it's safe to say that the first three days of golf at St Andrews have not gone according to plan.
Instead of being through 54 holes and looking toward the final day of play, we're merely through 36 holes and looking toward Moving Day.
That's right; due to unsurprisingly atrocious weather in Scotland, it took two days to complete the British Open second round. That means the third round has been moved back to Sunday and the fourth round to Monday.
So if the delays have gotten you a bit behind and confused, have no fear.
Here's a look at the top contenders right now and their current odds for the title, based on where they sit in the leaderboard currently, along with their recent form and past history at the British Open.
Paul Lawrie
1 of 8
Odds to Win: 22-1
Nobody is talking much about Paul Lawrie, which is odd since the Scot is at eight-under par, in third place all by himself. Oh yeah, and he just happens to be a former British Open winner.
Back in 1999, Lawrie won at Carnoustie in a playoff over Justin Leonard and Jean van de Velde. During that tournament, Lawrie trailed the leader, van de Velde, by 10 shots heading into the fourth round.
Lawrie hasn't been in contention at a major in over a decade, and he hasn't won a pro event in three years, but he has officially turned back the clock at St Andrews.
Now we have to see if this 46-year-old can use his experience to his advantage or if his form will return back to its new normal over the next 36 holes.
Zach Johnson
2 of 8
Odds to Win: 20-1
You might not spend a lot of time thinking about the understated Zach Johnson, but considering he's sitting at seven under par and tied for fourth at St Andrews, perhaps that should change.
Joel Beall of Golf Digest did a great job breaking down exactly why this 39-year-old is so dangerous on links courses, despite his lack of flash:
"What Johnson does boast is a surgical-like game plan. His tee ball is true, ranking sixth in accuracy. His is a calculated game; wherever his course position, you can bet said location was made with purpose.
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Since winning the green jacket in 2007, Johnson remained a steady and dangerous presence on tour.
He has two top-10 finishes in the last three British Opens and has finished in the top 10 in three of his last four starts: tied for third at the John Deere Classic, sixth at the Travelers Championship and fifth at the AT&T Byron Nelson.
So don't overlook this major winner this weekend—the other Johnson has the lead, but this Johnson has a chance, too.
Danny Willett
3 of 8
Odds to Win: 15-1
There are a lot of familiar names on the British Open leaderboard. Then there's Danny Willett.
The 27-year-old Englishman will tee off with Dustin Johnson on Sunday in the third round, only one stroke behind the leader. His best finish at a major in his career was a tie for 15th at the Open Championship three years ago.
After finishing his second round Friday afternoon, he was the clubhouse leader for a full day until Johnson surpassed him on Saturday.
"I think it's a childhood dream, and looking up there it's still a little bit surreal but something I'm going to have to get used to; otherwise no point being up there," Willett said, per Bob Harig of ESPN.
Willett is surrounded by the best golfers in the world, and because of his inexperience, his odds aren't quite as high as some above him on the leaderboard. But he's in a position to do something special.
Jason Day
4 of 8
Odds to Win: 12-1
Jason Day has bounced back nicely from his scary spell of vertigo during the U.S. Open, and the 27-year-old Aussie now sits at seven under par and tied for fourth here at St Andrews.
Of course, Day has never been a factor at a British Open before; his best previous result at this major was a tie for 30th in 2011. But that's no reason to discount his 66 on Thursday and his 71 in dire conditions on Friday and Saturday.
Day has finished in the top 10 in five majors since the beginning of 2013, and it does seem like only a matter of time before he breaks through and wins one of these.
When Day is fit and healthy, he's as dangerous as anyone out there on the course.
Louis Oosthuizen
5 of 8
Odds to Win: 10-1
Louis Oosthuizen has been playing some remarkable golf lately, and he happens to be the only top contender who has won this tournament since the 2000s began.
In 2010—the last time the British Open was played at St Andrews—Oosthuizen beat everyone in the field by seven spectacular strokes. Currently, he is tied for fourth at seven under par.
The South African almost eked out a victory at the U.S. Open last month as well, after shooting 66, 66 and 67 in his final three rounds. He ended up tied for second but has carried that great play over the pond.
He has 10 birdies and only three bogeys through 36 holes, and while he's not dominating the field like he did five years ago, he is solidly in contention.
This 32-year-old has form and history on his side. That could be a tough combination to beat.
Jordan Spieth
6 of 8
Odds to Win: 10-1
Jordan Spieth is five strokes behind leader Dustin Johnson and currently in a tie for 14th with names such as Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Anirban Lahiri.
Yet, Spieth is still considered a top contender at the Open Championship because if we've learned anything in 2015 so far, it's to never count this 21-year-old out.
Spieth struggled in the conditions during his split second round on Friday and Saturday, with four bogeys (balanced out by four birdies).
However, I think the Masters and U.S. Open champion can take solace from the fact that despite his bad putting and general frustrations, he is still in the picture.
There are plenty of birdies to be had at St Andrews—his early-round playing partner Hideki Matsuyama made eight on Friday and Saturday—so there's still time for Spieth to move up the leaderboard.
The pressure is off, as much as it ever will be at least. Now he's free to just play golf.
Adam Scott
7 of 8
Odds to Win: 8-1
Adam Scott knows how to play well at the British Open, so it should be no surprise that he's up toward the top of the leaderboard after the cut.
The Aussie finished as the runner-up at the event in 2012, tied for third in 2013 and tied for fifth last year. This year, he's tied for fourth at seven under par after 36 holes.
Of course, while the former No. 1 has great memories at the British Open, he also has heartbreaking ones: Back in 2012, he had a four-stroke lead with four to play before bogeying all four final holes and losing to Ernie Els.
He's put himself into contention at this major once again, and with caddie Steve Williams returning on his bag, this just might be his year.
Dustin Johnson
8 of 8
Odds to Win: 7-4
Dustin Johnson has been here before: in the lead during the weekend at a major. Can he make it count this time?
Right now, things are looking good for the 31-year-old. He has a one-stroke lead at 10 under par, and the two guys closest to him, Danny Willett and Paul Lawrie, have not been in great form lately.
One of Johnson's two bogeys in his first two rounds came on the 14th hole during the ill-fated morning start on Saturday, when winds wreaked havoc on play as they tried to complete the second round.
But the American did not let that bother him.
"I'm not the only one that happened to, so it's nothing to worry about. It's over with," he said after the round, as reported by Jason Sobel of ESPN on Twitter.
That resilient attitude is why Johnson is back in the lead at a major despite his recent U.S. Open heartbreak and why he's the favorite to finally walk away with the trophy.
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