Tiger Woods is betting on the Irish. Rory McIroy that is.

At the JP McManus Invitation Pro-Am in Limerick this week, Woods said he feels very strongly about the Irishman’s chances to win the British Open at St. Andrews. "He's already won on our tour, so he has the talent."

Woods is referring to McIlroy’s victory over Phil Mickelson at the Quail Hollow Championship in May for his first ever PGA victory.

In spite of his two poor Majors outings this year, McIlroy was a force to reckon with on the 2009 tour. He finished 20th at the Masters, 10th at the US Open, and 4th at the PGA Championship last year.

Paddy Power has the world’s ranked number one golfer favored at 11/2 odds to win the Claret jug. Phil Mickelson comes in second at 14/1 as Els and McIlroy are tied for third at 16/1.

The British Open will be held next week from Thursday July 15th to Sunday July 18th at the old course in St. Andrews Scotland.