The 2009 British Open was an historic golf tournament for two reasons.  The first reason was that the prohibitive favourite in all online sportsbook betting parlours did not make the second round cut.  The second reason was that a golfer not even ranked in the top 1000 in the world came within one stroke of winning it all.

The prohibitive favourite was Tiger woods, whose play has been spotty as he recovers from knee surgery.  The heavy online sportsbook gambling reflected heavy betting on Woods, who looked sharp in the practice rounds.  Unfortunately for Tiger, his play was poor on the first round as he fell behind the pack.  His play went from bad to worse in the second round.  His drives were shanked, and his short game was non-existent.

By the time the scorecards were counted after the second round, Tiger was on his way to the airport to go back to the States.  He had failed to qualify for a professional golf tournament for only the second time in his storied career.  So, that left the gates open for the rest of the field.  Those gamblers who had wagered on golfers other than Tiger Woods were thrilled with the developments.  After all, Phil Mickelson had withdrawn from the tournament prior to play because of family illness, and now Tiger had been eliminated.

The leader board after two rounds showed a bunch of no names except for one player who was attempting to “turn back the hands of time,” as Tyrone Davis crooned in his hit song in 1970.  Former British Open Champ Tom Watson had played incredible golf for a future Hall-of-Famer who was well past his prime.  So, everyone thought.  Yet, here was a gentleman one month shy of his 60^th birthday competing for the top prize in one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. 

Those who had wagered on Tom Watson prior to the tournament had incalculable odds against them. Tom’s best golfing days were so far behind him that he could not even see them through the rear view mirror in his car.  On the final day, with Stewart Cink in the clubhouse with a -2, Watson birdied the 17^th hole to take a one stroke lead.  That meant all he had to do was par the 18^th, which was very doable. 

Father Time Spoils the Story

As he approached the 18^th tee, Tom looked as if he aged another 10 years, and that he was carrying the hopes and dreams of all his contemporaries to the tee with him.  We all wished that Father Time could stay away for one more hole.  However, it was not to be.

 Tom’s drive was perfect, but then, Father Time combined with an extra shot of adrenalin, took Tom’s second shot past the pin and into the light rough about 35 feet from the pin.  He still had an excellent chance of finishing at par.  To accomplish this, he had two more shots, and the championship was his.

He seemed to rush his third shot, and it went about 12 feet past the hole.  This was a makeable putt, one that he had successfully negotiated innumerable times during his thirty year career on the tour.  Again, he seemed to lack the concentration he needed to sink the putt, and the confidence to make it.  He pushed the putt off to the right, missing out on his chance to win the 2009 British Open.

He tied Stewart Cink for the lead, and a four hole playoff took place immediately.  Those of us who have been involved in high level athletic competition in one sport or another knew that Tom would not get another chance.  On the first hole of the playoff, Father Time took control of Watson’s game, hook, line and sinker.  It was over early and, although Watson took second place honours to Cink, this British Open would always be remembered as the one where Father Time spoiled the party for every Baby Boomer who still plays softball on Sunday, shoots hoops with his grandkids, and reminisces back to a time before Father Time had taken his toll.

The online sportsbooks generally have wagers that can result in a windfall of money, if you have the courage to bet against the chalk (favourites).  Online gambling sportsboooks have replaced the neighbourhood bookie for many gamblers because they are able to wait until the last minute before placing their bets.  Unless you are present at a race track, there is no better way to play the ponies than in online sportsbook gambling parlours. 

There are a wide variety of sports and other wagers of common interest to bet.  For example, in most online sportsbook parlours, you can wager on the winner of the summer hit T.V. show, So You Think You Can Dance.  My selection was Jeanette at 4-1 odds.  There are also favourable odds of the 2010 BCS Champion from College Football.  In the next few weeks, we’ll give you a synopsis of the best teams and you can draw your own conclusion.

Even though Tom Watson came up a little short in the British Open, he proved the point that anything can happen on an event that is wagered.  That is what makes online sportsbook wagering so exciting.  You can win a bundle by simply using your common sense combined with your natural intuition.  When I participate in online sportsbook gambling, I generally stay away from betting on the favourites.  You don’t get much in return if they win and, when you come to think of it, the only sure bets in life are death and taxes!