British Open Weekend Preview

After Thursday’s opening round at the British Open that saw several players shoot in the mid-60’s, it was back to business as usual at St. Andrews in Scotland, much to the dismay of golf betting fans everywhere.

Thursday’s brisk, mild, unseasonal weather was replaced with what we’ve come to expect at the Open Championship, whipping wind and harsh conditions that forced a stoppage of play early in the afternoon.

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And while the opening round was a day of record setting scores, we saw none of that Friday, as many golfers came back down to earth.

After two full rounds our leader in the club house is the unlikeliest of names, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuzien who shot a Friday best 67 to find him at -12 through two rounds.

The 27-year-old has never won a PGA tournament, and has made just one cut in a major, at the 2008 PGA Championship.

Falling in line behind Oosthuzien is American Mark Calcaveccheia who shot a 67 as well, after an opening round 70. Three Brits, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and Steven are at -5.

On the opposite side of the things, Thursday’s leader, 21-year-old Rory McIlroy could do little to reclaim the magic that saw him tie a major record by shooting a 63 in the opening round.

McIlroy- who went out in the afternoon, at the height of the brutal Scottish weather- finished his day with a miserable +8, 80, which now puts him 11 strokes off Oosthuzien.

As for the rest of the notables, U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell shot a solid 68 on Friday to find himself at -5, while world No. 1 Tiger Woods shot a +1, 73, and is now eight shots off the lead at -4.

Amongst the notables who are expected to miss the projected cut of +1 are 2010 PGA Tour money leader Ernie Els, who shot a +7, 79 on Friday, as well as two-time Open Championship winner Padraig Harrington, who will leave St. Andrews at +6.

On Saturday course conditions are expected to be much the same as they were Friday, with rain and high wind expected, with temperatures in the mid-50’s.

That is certainly a factor for golf wagering fans to keep in mind when make their wagers.

With play suspended because of darkness on Friday, a handful of players still have to finish their second rounds, meaning that Saturday tee-times have not yet been established.

The leaders are expected to hit the course sometime around 5 p.m. local time, which is 12 p.m. EST.

Tune in for coverage all weekend long, and remember, it’s never too late to your British Open golf bets in!