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2008 British Open betting odds were once again available following play of Day 2 and it was a Korean golfer who ended the day in the lead.
Korea's 37-year-old K J Choi completed a round of 67 in the easier afternoon conditions to push Greg Norman out of his long-held lead in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. His only dropped shot was at the first and a birdie at the third took him to the turn in 34. He had further birdies at the 12th and 17th and and holed out from 23 feet across the home green to head The Open challenge on one-under-par total of 139.
Norman's lead had been unchallenged since lunchtime, the closest threat coming from young Colombian Camilo Villegas who returned the day's most spectacular round of 65 that included five consecutive closing birdies. At the 18th he rattled the flagstick with wedge shot from 176 yards and holed the putt to finish at one over.
Choi, who took up the game at the age of 16, finished eighth in last year's Championship at Carnoustie but was struggling with his game at the beginning of this season. After his 67 he admitted that he had regained confidence in his chipping and putting and his driving had also improved during the week.
If K J Choi were to win the Major, he would be the first Asian to do so.
Choi opened as a very big 66/1 underdog to win the 2008 British Open. Sportingbet listed him with 6/1 odds heading into Saturday.
Greg Norman and Camilo Villegas were still in the hunt. They had odds set at 20/1 and 16/1, respectively.
Likewise, Rocco Mediate was still in the thick of things heading into Saturday, sitting at #4 on the leaderboard. Mediate nearly won the US Open in a sudden death overtime with Tiger Woods. Mediate's odds of winning the 2008 British Open were 22/1 but opened 125/1.
Odds may vary but BetUS.com offered 2008 British Open betting for US citizens. Sportingbet does not accept online gamblers from the US at this time.
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Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
Originally published July 19, 2008 12:05 am EST
