Columnist Peter Benton: Montgomerie, Els are best Open bets

Peter Benton

Wednesday, July 14, 1999 | 9:44 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

The 128th British Open gets under way Thursday, and it seems very fitting that after 25 years "The Open" returns to the Carnoustie Golf Course in Scotland.

This course is steeped in a lengthy and fascinating history and has earned its enviable reputation for challenging golf and breathtaking beauty to stand today as one of the most difficult courses in the world.

Measuring 7,361 yards, the par-71 layout will be a huge challenge to all players. If the weather is bad, you can bet over par will win the championship.

With that in mind, my personal selections and odds are as follows:

* Colin Montgomerie, 10-1: Yet to win a major, but will not be denied for ever. As this event is being played in his home country, it just may be the catalyst he needs.

* Ernie Els, 10-1: Has the length, the accuracy and, perhaps most importantly, the head to win this championship for the first time.

* Tiger Woods, 12-1: Playing possibly the best golf of his young life and he can taste another major.

* Vijay Singh, 14-1: Challenged at the U.S. Open and with all his talents -- and length -- undoubtedly will challenge here.

* David Duval, 15-1: Without doubt, the hottest player on tour this year. He will not be denied a major victory much longer.

* Davis Love III, 16-1: Has been in top 20 in 11 of his last 17 majors, so his skills cannot be questioned.

* Nick Price, 18-1: Has one "claret jug" on his mantle and will not be content until there are two.

* Lee Westwood, 20-1: Appears to be back to the form that made him the darling of the British press. He posted 13 top-10 finishes around the world last year including four victories.

* Jose Maria Olazabal, 20-1: If "Ollie" was more reliable off the tee he would have been my favorite here. My not knowing just how close in and how deep the rough is resulted in his drop in the odds.

* Jesper Parnevik, 22-1: Second in The Open in 1994 and again in '97, so a victory would come as no surprise. No Swede has ever won a major -- yet.

* Tom Lehman, 22-1: Placed second in last week's Greater Milwaukee Open in a field far weaker than this. However, he is on a Ryder Cup mission and cannot be counted out.

* Carlos Franco, 24-1: Last week's winner is unflappable and has a swing as smooth as silk.

* Darren Clarke, 25-1: This Irishman shared second with Parnevik in the '97 Open won by Justin Leonard. Tied for 10th in this year's U.S. Open and obviously knows his business.

* Sergio Carcia, Greg Norman, Jim Furyk, Payne Stewart, 28-1: All incredibly talented players.