London, 13th July 1998 -  Lee Westwood has been installed as co-favourite with Tiger Woods for this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

The bookmaker Ladbrokes reacted to Westwood's victory at Saturday's Standard Life Loch Lomond tournament by cutting his odds to 11-1. It's the first time since his victory at the 1997 Masters that Woods has not been the sole betting favourite for any tournament he's played in, Ladbrokes said.

Westwood has three victories in his last four European tour starts and seven wins in seven countries in the past nine months. He would collect a $1 million bonus if he wins the Open.

"He is showing the two characteristics that the betting public dreams of, consistency and coolness under pressure," Ladbrokes' spokeman Andy Clifton said.

After Woods and Westwood, Ladbrokes lists David Duval and Colin Montgomerie at 14-1; Ernie Els, Fred Couples and Jim Furyk at 16-1, and defending champion Justin Leonard, Tom Lehman and Mark O'Meara are among those at 25-1.