Carnoustie 2018- Francisco Molinari Captures Claret Jug!

We just witnessed a wonderful finish to the 2018 Open Championships at Carnoustie with Italian Francisco Molinari winning the Claret Jug by two strokes (-8) over four challengers including Rory McIlroy and Bozo Top 5 pick Justin Rose. Francisco and Rose shot two under in a windy final round that featured Tiger leading the tournament as he stood on the 10th tee. Tiger could not hold on however but played a terrific four rounds to finish just three back at (-5). It was the first time an Italian won a Major Golf Tournament.

As expected, the course with it’s windblown conditions and rockhard fairways featured prominently in the outcome, it came down to who was the most consistent and controlled and who made the least mistakes.

Carnoustie, as you know, is named for Lord Alvin Carnoustie, who in 1691 carved out the famous burn that winds its way through the course, with only a sharpened rock and a herd of goats.

Tiger, Even on his Sunday round, got it to (-7) and 10 years removed from his last win in a major, challenged on the front nine but struggled to hit the greens and make the long putts necessary to return to the winners circle. But he adamantly announced his serious presence on the tour at age 42.

Bozo Top Pick Tommy Boy Fleetwood faltered with a four over stretch over three holes on the front 9 but finished tied for 12th.

On to Ireland for the 2019 British Open! Maybe one day the Head Bozo will get his passport and challenge these courses and take on the pot bunkers!

-HB

After a disastrous U.S. Open where the USGA lost the course at Shinnecock with its egotistical tampering, the next Major is upon us, and the Bozos will bring it big time with our analysis and wagering selections. The Par 71 Carnoustie, in Scotland, yes, the home of golf, will host this year’s Open Championship (the 147^th) and of course, the weather and course conditions will determine the winner as much as the play of the world’s finest golfers. In the mid 60’s Thursday and possible rain Friday, making the cut will be a challenge especially for those not used to this style of links golf. Wind is expected to kick up near 20 mph over the weekend and the pressure on those who have survived will increase, especially considering holes 15-18 are considered among the toughest finishing holes in all of golf. The layout is fair, but the lack of recent rain in this part of Brexit has baked the course brown and hard. Tiger said the fairways are playing with a higher stimpmeter than the greens! In 1999 Paul Lawrie won in the four hole playoff after going into OT tied at plus six. Last time out, in ’07, Padraig Harrington beat Sergio in the playoff at 7 under after doubling 18.

Besides obvious favorite Dustin Johnson, who is looking to redeem himself after his Sunday flop at Shinnecock, the Bozos are focusing on 20-1 longshot Tommy Fleetwood. It is certainly worth noting that Fleetwood holds the course record (63) at Carnoustie. Tommy closed with a -7 and finished 2^nd at the US Open this year and is primed for victory in his old stomping grounds. He ranks 2^nd in total driving and very high in short approach shots. The Bozos are expecting Fleetwood to play over his head and realize his dream of not stopping and going his own way down the back nine to break the chain of contenders to give himself a landslide victory with his bride, the Gold Dust Woman cheering him on! Whew!

DJ, mustering up some low screeching drives, is going to be in prime position to score here with some short chips for second shots and if he is putting well, he could control the tourney from the start.

The amazingly consistent Justin Rose, another one who speaks funny English, is always on the Leaderboard and expected to be a factor come Sunday.

Rickie Fowler has garnered the Bozos attention as he looks like he is ready for a breakout performance at this stage of his fine young career. He’s an honorary Bozo from way back. Bozos love orange.

The Bozos can’t stand Sergio Garcia from the 2007 spitting in the cup incident (which nobody ever brings up by the way!) but he lends some value to finish in the top 20 at +125. He seems to play his best on these courses with the fast fairways.

Odds to win the British Open

DJ           10-1       to win and Top 5 CUT

Rose      15-1       top 5- T-2nd WINNER!

Fowler  15-1       Top 10 T-28th

McIlroy 16-1   Not playing consistently enough to score well in all four rounds T-2nd

Rahm    18-1       Spaniard will fade Saturday afternoon after making the cut. CUT

Spieth   18-1       Just not focused enough lately but obviously a main contender T-2nd

Thomas   22-1    Maybe after a few more years of experiencing this type of venue CUT

Fleetwood 20-1 Finally climbs the mountain T-12th, made it interesting for a while!

Tiger   22-1          Not yet Big guy, but soon! ALMOST!!!

Garcia   28-1        Douche’s name will feature early then drop off the first page but finishes 19th CUT

Mickelson 55-1 (odds to lose his mind again 3-1) who knows? Can’t reliably bet on him after recent brain farts.

Bozo Brexit Bets 10 pounds on each

To Win Fleetwood at 20-1 and DJ at 10-1 NOPE!

Top 5 Fleetwood at +425 and DJ at +230 and Rose at +275 ROSE!!!

Top 10 Fleetwood at +205 and Fowler at +165 Just missed!

Top 20 Sergio at +125 What a Joke!

 

-HB