The 2012 British Open will begin in the early morning on Thursday, and to no ones surprise Tiger Wood will head into the third major of the season as the favorite to win. According to the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (via RJ Bell -- a sports betting expert), Woods enters The Open Championship as a 8-to-1 favorite, a line that is just a tad better than Rory McIlroy (10-1).

Lee Westwood, who's still looking for his first major championship, is at 12-1, while Luke Donald is 15-1. Two-time British Open winner Padraig Harrington enters at 20-1 and fan favorite Phil Mickelson, who's looking for his first victory overseas, is 30-1.

Open Championship coverage will begin Thursday at 4:30 a.m. ET (set your alarm clocks early!) on ESPN.

For more on the 2012 British Open, please be sure to check out SB Nation's golf hub and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.