Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

Brits' tee time

One of the finest places to be on a summer's day is the Old Course at St Andrews.

You can hear bird song and gentle waves from the Eden estuary. Next week you'll be able to hear the thwacking strokes of 156 competitors during the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship. This notable milestone should resonate with the golfers from the British Isles who have mostly yielded the sacred Claret Jug to overseas players in the past two decades.

Padraig Harrington (2007, 2008) and Paul Lawrie (1999) have stood alone as some average American talent, and some of the game's greats, have plundered the prize. The last English golfer to win was Nick Faldo in 1992.

But with Brits bagging wins on America's PGA Tour this season, there is hope of a home success. Justin Rose, winner of the Memorial and AT&T, is 25-1 with Ladbrokes. Lee Westwood (St Jude Classic) is 18-1 at Sportingbet; Ian Poulter (WGC World Match Play) is 33-1 generally; Rory McIlroy is 18-1 at Totesport (Quail Hollow); while US Open champion Graeme McDowell is 28-1 with Coral. Come on, make history – £5 each-way on all of you.

They shouldn't fear Tiger Woods, twice an Open winner here, but whose game/life are still in rehab. Woods will also be in the rough with the English tabloid "rotters", for whom he is their main course, not St Andrews.

*Before I am replaced by Paul, the octopus with his tentacles on the betting pulse, can I point to our stash from Wimbledon, provided by tipping both singles champions?