British Open Betting a Cure for the Recession Blues?

The British Open ranks as the most bet on event in the United Kingdom.  The popular golf tournament begins Thursday July 16.

Betting on the British Open and other golf events can pay out big, especially during these tough economic times.  And the risk, it's nominal.

Aside from Tiger Woods, all other contenders would pay at least $110 for every $10 bet at Sports Interaction.

Sure, with such a large field, picking the right golfer is tough but not impossible.

Look at Padraig Harrington, winner of the last two British Opens.  He would pay the next best odds after Tiger:  $110 for every $10 bet; $1100 for every $100 bet.  Sergio Garcia follows with $120; Phil Mickelson with $160 and Ernie Els with $200, all on a $10 bet.

But you might want to consider some of the long shots as well.  Hunter Mahan pays $500 for every $10 bet.  Extreme long shots like David Howell pay out $1000 for every $10 bet and $10000 for every $100 bet. 

Sure your odds of winning with big long shots get much longer, but the payouts could prove extraordinary as they have in the past.  Folks like Padraig Harrington and Angel Cabrera have paid in the thousands for those who bet them early on.

Here were all your British Open betting odds courtesy of Sports Interaction:

Tiger Woods +220

Padraig Harrington +1100

Sergio Garcia +1200

Phil Mickelson +1600

Ernie Els +2000

Paul Casey +2000

Rory McIlroy +2000

Anthony Kim +2200

Henrik Stenson +2500

Lee Westwood +2800

Jim Furyk +2800

Geoff Ogilvy +2800

Ian Poulter +2800

Justin Rose +3300

Adam Scott +3300

Vijay Singh +3300

Retief Goosen +3300

Robert Karlsson +3300

Camilo Villegas +3300

Luke Donald +4000

Kenny Perry +4500

Andres Romero +4500

Stewart Cink +5000

Trevor Immelman +5000

K.J. Choi +5000

Miguel Angel Jimenez +5000

Mike Weir +5000

Hunter Mahan +5000

Angel Cabrera +5000

Martin Kaymer +6000

Justin Leonard +6600

Steve Stricker +6600

Stephen Ames +8000

Stuart Appleby +8000

Tim Clark +8000

Darren Clarke +8000

Colin Montgomerie +10000

David Howell +10000

Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com