Ladbrokes Free Bet and Latest Open Championship Betting Preview

With the third major championship of the season about to kick off this Thursday, the betting markets for the 2012 Open Championship are starting to heat up in a very big way and one of the most interesting moves in a while has been the bookmakers leaving Tiger Woods installed as the outright favourite, but notching up his price to 8/1.

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Woods is set to be paired with Justin Rose for the opening two rounds and this will be the fourth time that the pair have been drawn together. The four day event at Royal Lytham & St Anne's is shaping up to be the major of the season.

A very deep pool of competitors are lining up for this one and the clear second favourite appears to be Lee Westwood, who floats at an enticing 16/1 price. All eyes will be on McIlroy as he heads into this one and he's listed at around 20/1 with Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington sitting alongside him.

A cadre of players are floated at 33/1 and represent some very good value, particularly on the each way. Punters will find Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose all available at that price.

Expect plenty of attention on Rickie Fowler, though many will find him to be under-priced with a 40/1 listing.

There will be a lot of media noise made about Tiger Woods assertion that the rough at the 2012 Open Championship will be the toughest he has ever faced and the rain currently in the forecast could make the deep cuts even more punishing.

Observers are blaming the wet summer season for the tricky conditions, with many players themselves referring to good lies as “coin flips” in a number of cases.