Women’s British Open tips: South Korean contingent the ones to beat
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After the thrills and spills of the men’s Open Championship at Carnoustie, this weekend it’s the Ladies’ turn to take centre stage.
It’s the 43rd Women’s British Open, and it takes place at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire.
The favourites
Some 144 players will enter, and the betting is headed by Thailand talent Ariya Jutanugarn at 8/1.
The 22-year-old is in excellent form, having won the Ladies Scottish Open last time out.
Jutanugarn also won the US Women’s Open earlier this year, and claimed the British version in 2016 – her first Major.
The South Korean challenge
Jutanugarn is rightly favourite given her displays in 2018, but she faces a huge challenge from South Korea.
Of the next five players in the betting – and the only others shorter than 25s – four are from South Korea. The other is Australia’s Minjee Lee, whose parents are from South Korea.
Jin Young Ko and So Yeon Ryu are the most likely challengers, each at 14/1.
Ryu is a two-time Major winner, and though she hasn’t won the British Open yet, the 28-year-old was T3 in 2015 and T5 in 2012.
At 16/1, Inbee Park is always one to watch. The 30-year-old is a seven-time Major champion, including the British Open in 2015.
That was her most recent Major success to date, and though she has been off the boil a touch lately, has collected three top-three finishes and won the Bank of Hope Founders Cup this season.
Home chances
A home victory in the British Open is a rare event. Though dominated by British players when the tournament began in 1976, there have been only two home success since the event was given Major status in 2001.
England’s Karen Stupples prevailed in 2004, and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew came home three clear in 2009.
Our traders have dubbed Charley Hull as the most likely home champion this weekend at 40/1.
It’s an unlikely price, but the 22-year-old has come good in Majors this year. She was T6 at both the ANA Inspiration and the Women’s PGA Championship, before a T10 at the US Women’s Open.
Click here for all our Women’s British Open odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
