As we enter the third major of the year, it's a good time to take a look at how we've fared in the 2017-18 golf season. So far in this campaign, I've picked nine outright winners in my articles for The Action Network. We'll try to keep it rolling with this week's British Open at Carnoustie.
Players in the middle tier have been providing great value in majors this year.
First it was Patrick Reed donning the green jacket at +5000, then it was Brooks Koepka, who was +4000 a couple weeks before his U.S. Open victory, conquering Shinnecock.
The talent pool in golf is deep right now and while it's easy to focus on the stars, literally dozens of guys are capable of taking the claret jug home this week.
I've targeted three guys who can master the difficult test at Carnoustie.
Alex Noren (odds to win: +3270)
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Alex Noren
Noren was a guy the golf world expected to break through early in the PGA Tour season, but he fell just short on multiple occasions and then fell off the radar. He's back now though after winning the French Open on a difficult track two weeks ago.
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Noren is a good all-around player without many weaknesses in his game. He's longer and more accurate off the tee than the tour average. He ranks 14th in strokes gained approach and ninth in putting. The only spot where Noren falls slightly below tour average is around the green, but if the irons are clicking, then there isn't too much pressure placed in that area.
Tyrrell Hatton (odds to win: +4550)
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton will win a big event in his career. We've seen him pop up at the WGC Mexico and U.S. Open already this year, finishing third and sixth, respectively. He's basically locked into the European Ryder Cup squad because of his play on that tour.
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Hatton has found his game a bit over the last month, too, after missing three straight cuts. Building off that sixth-place finish at the U.S. Open, he's been able to put up solid results in France (T16) and Scotland (T9). Hatton's stats won't look great after he struggled during the Florida swing on the PGA Tour, but the talent is there in all areas for him to compete.
Ian Poulter (odds to win: +6050)
Credit: USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Ian Poulter
The Open Championship has been a spot where aging veterans finally find that major breakthrough. Henrik Stenson and Darren Clarke both won their first majors in their late 30s or early 40s at this event in recent years. Poulter's game is in a good spot for him to do the same.
He finally broke a five-and-a-half-year winless drought in Houston this year and has consistently been placing inside the top 25. He's had only three top-five finishes at majors in his career, but two of those came in The Open, so his style of play should be conducive to battling all the elements.
More British Open Coverage
- Sobel: Ranking the Entire British Open Field, from 1-156
- Betting the Favorites: The Most Overvalued Golfer on the Board
- Best Longshot Bets: Oosthuizen Has the Meddle to Contend
- The Golfers Helped and Hurt by Carnoustie's Fiery, Testy Conditions
- Henrik Stenson: 'I'm Not 100 Percent' for 2018 British Open
- Betting Tips for Golf Majors: Mid-Tier Players Offer Best Values
