Garcia cut for The Open: Golf betting

Spaniard Sergio Garcia is as short as 16/1 to win this year's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after winning the Players Championship, the PGA Tour's unofficial fifth major.

Click here for a free £25 to bet on golf with Blue Square

Garcia edged out Paul Goydos in a play-off at Sawgrass' infamous 17th hole to claim the biggest win of his career and his first PGA Tour title for three years. He will now turn his attention towards landing a first major title after coming so close at Carnoustie in last year's Open when he lost to Padraig Harrington in a play-off, having led the tournament going into the last round.

El Nino, who now has seven US Tour titles to his name and is the first European to win this event since Sandy Lyle in 1987, has also been shortened for next month's US Open at Torrey Pines to 28s from 45s. Tiger Woods, who missed the TPC due to injury, is as short as 11/10 to win at Torrey Pines and Garcia feels the world number one will be extremely hard to beat.

"I want to thank Tiger Woods for not being here," Garcia said after a par 3 at the play-off hole proved enough for victory. "That always makes things a little bit easier.

"I think it's going to be really difficult to beat Tiger there [Torrey Pines], because, you know, he obviously loves that golf course. But at least I want to at least give it a chance and see if I can challenge him a little bit, and you know, whatever happens, happens."

Click here for a free £25 to bet on golf with Blue Square

Blue Square, one of the leading online bookmakers is offering a FREE £25 Bet for Betting Choice users. Simply stake up to £25 and we will match your bet. Blue Square is a leading UK bookmaker offering a huge range of special bets and promotions.