Donald makes huge move as the Scottish Open is cut to 54 holes
Published:What a final day we’re in for at Castle Stuart as a weather-affected Scottish Open hopes to come to a climax.
Thunderstorms over the past three days have meant that some of the golfers could only complete their second rounds this morning and Luke Donald was eager to put himself in contention for the final 18 holes later today.
Donald is just one shot off the four leaders on ten-under-par, and his Scottish Open odds have been slashed to 4/1.
Graeme McDowell remains favourite at 7/2 after a majestic 64 yesterday, and he joins local favourites Scott Jamieson, Peter Whiteford and Swede Peter Hanson at the top of the leaderboard.
Hanson can be backed at 9/2 to win the Scottish Open and he represents a huge danger to Donald and McDowell, but their isn’t much support for either Jamieson or Whiteford despite their being just 18 holes left to play.
Jamieson is a European Tour rookie and has plenty of ability to challenge the bigger names today and could be a huge price at 14/1 especially considering Lee Westwood, three shots off the lead is the same price.
Whiteford is an old hand on the European Tour and this is new territory for the 30-year-old, but any of the golfers at the top of the leaderboard would back themselves to shoot a good round over 18 holes and Whiteford also offers plenty of value at 16/1.
McDowell’s love of links courses has to put him in pole for today’s tournament and as a boy growing up on the links of Portrush, the Ulsterman will be used to the tough weather conditions.
Hopefully we won’t see a repeat of this weather on the Kent coast next week for the Open, but today’s final round will have a big bearing on what happens at Royal St George’s next week and punters should be keeping a close eye on today’s events.
