2011 British Open Favorites: Should Luke Donald Be Favored with Win at Scottish?

The 2011 British Open Needs a New Favorite After Donald's Win at the Scottish

The Scottish Open served as a reminder to all of us golf fans, who have been blinded by the Rory McIlroy light, who the world's No. 1 golfer is: Luke Donald.

And now there needs to be a new favorite heading into the 2011 British Open. Luke Donald is on a roll

Donald dominated the field in the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, Inverness. The victory was Donald's third of 2011. And he saved his best golf for the final round.

Donald rolled to a four shot victory by shooting his best round of the tournament on Sunday's final round. Donald fired a 9-under par 63 on Sunday. That pushed Donald to a final total of 197. That is good for 19-under par.

The 9-under par is Donald's lowest ever round on the European Tour.

It's nice to get another victory -- I can get used to this.

To do it on a links course is even better and when I play well I tend to do reasonably well the next week.

This was perfect preparation. It doesn't get any better than going out and winning the week before the British Open. I'm going to be high on confidence.

The win pushed Donal further ahead in the golf rankings, and also lowered his odds to win the British. Lee Westwood the world's No. 2 golfer finished tied for 14th.

Prior to his win Donald had the third lowest odds to win the British at 12/1. He trailed Rory McIlroy at 6/1 and Lee Westwood at 8/1. I have to imagine that those odds are shrinking by the minute.

Rory McIlroy did not play in the Scottish Open. So it is hard to compare Donald and McIlroy, but if Donald is going to play like this it is hard to imagine him losing to anyone. Even a golfer as dynamic as Rory McIlroy. 

With Donald playing like this, he should be the new favorite to win the British. I doubt he will make the jump past Rory McIlroy, but I am sure it is going to be much closer.

And if they both roll into the British playing like they did in their last tournament, Golf fans are in for one hell of a treat.

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