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 The top active players in world golf take each other on at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral this week where Phil Mickelson tops the betting boards as he looks to defend the title he won by a single shot in 2009.
It is around this time of the year I start to get really excited about golf and in particular golf betting. Having been split across the European and PGA Tours the top players come together in a stroke play event for the first time in 2010 and it signals a run that includes the Masters, Players Championship and the US Open.
Still no sign of Tiger Woods and that leaves Phil Mickelson atop the boards at 19/2 with World of Sport. Phil has made a really otherwise start to the year though and while he is the type of player who could suddenly spring to life on a course he loves I can’t find value in him at single figure quotes.
Steve Stricker is a worthy second favourite at around 14/1 and aside from current form he has course form as well and was T6 in 2008 and T13 last year. His conversion rate in the really big events is not that great though and once again the price is short enough to have me looking elsewhere.
Last weeks runaway winner at the Honda Classic Camilo Villegas is a streaky golfer and he is red hot at the moment for sure. He also has course form with a T5 and a T26 in his last 2 starts here but while I would not put anyone off backing him his schedule may start to take its toll and I have another 18/1 shot in mind this week.
Paul Casey has started coming to hand after last years injury problems and he has had 3 top 10’s in a row with last weeks T4 at the PGA National course particularly impressing me. I am a bit surprised that his recent history in this event is not great with a T51 in 08 followed up by a T31 last year but I cannot ignore the fact that he looks ready to stamp his authority on world golf with a big win. At 18/1 he is probably correctly priced and to allow me to sneak an extra player into my staking plan I am going to fire a win only bet at him this week.
Dustin Johnson has made a great start to the year and fortunately I have been able to catch him correctly taking the 22/1 at Pebble Beach. He was T35 last year after a terrible closing 76 but with his length I would not discount him on any course and he is 12th in the GIR stats and finding the greens is usually a key ingredient for victory at this course. He is also well up in the birdie stats and with the winnings score likely to be -15 or better you want someone who can convert chances ion your side. I will take some of the 35/1 on offer.
Nick Watney has made a very solid start to the year and last years runner up looks well poised for another go at the title. He is a player not afraid to shoot really low scores and is running into some decent form with a strong finish in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He loves playing in this part of the USA and I am pleased to see some 45/1 being dangled about his chances and will snap it up.
Hunter Mahan has finished downfield here the last couple of years and that no doubt explains his price of 50/1. His last start though really impressed me (and not just because I had him at 75/1 to win in Phoenix) and the way he came from 4 shots off the pace and held clutch putts under pressure will have given him plenty of self belief. His year appeared to be going nowhere fast but he is right in the thick of things now and at the current price on offer I won’t hesitate to throw a couple of units his way this week.
Finally I am going for Sean O’Hair a player I have earmarked to keep an eye on in the big events this year. He has not really caught the eye in 2010 but he is 5 from 5 in cuts made and has a top 10 and a couple of top 25’s banked. He withdrew from this event in 2008 but stormed through late for a T13 finish last year so has at least proven he can go low at Doral. A quality player and the 50/1 on offer looks more than fair.
That’s it for me but before I finalise my staking plan a word on South African interest. The man with the best record here is Goosen and you can get 40/1 about his chances and 45/1 at Betxchange that Ernie Els can come good in a big event for the first time in ages.
STAKING PLAN
  
 
2 units win on Casey at 18.18 with World of Sport
1 unit each way on:
Dustin Johnson at 35/1 with Betxchange
Nick Watney at 45/1 with World Sports Betting
Hunter Mahan at 50/1 with Betxchange, Mbet and World of Sport
Sean O’Hair at 50/1 with Mbet and World of Sport
All bookmakers quoted bet quarter odds for a Top 5 finish
To comment on this event register in our Discussion Forum
The top active players in world golf take each other on at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral this week where Phil Mickelson tops the betting boards as he looks to defend the title he won by a single shot in 2009.
http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/golf/wg … eview.html
Nice preview Brent, had a look last night and had my eye on Hunter Mahan (each way) so delighted to see you have included him in your staking plan. Go Hunter!
Another weekend,another shot...
I'll be watching good 'ole Jim all the way this week.Furyk has always been one of my favourites,but betting wise i'm going with Zack Johnson.(along with a couple of your picks ofcourse Brent)
After last weeks dissaster,i'm hoping my guys at least make it off the first tee.
I had a good look at Furyk Proudwolf as he used to be my banker for a top 5. Just a bit worried about whether his lack of length is starting to find him out a bit and would like to see him run close again before I back him.
I also had a good look at Zach and I think he is a big runner this week.
As you say we can only improve on last week and I am looking to forget the Honda Classic as quickly as possible.
you've got to be happy with that start Brent, Casey and Johnson right up there, nice.
I missed the start but itching to get involved, so have just gone in running:
Tim Clark - 0.5 unit win @ 60/1,
Padraig Harrington - 1 unit win @ 25/1.
they are 2 players i'll be backing in the Masters, but maybe they can do something this weekend.
Is it possible that I picked Ernie a week early. FFS!!!
Roboman wrote:Is it possible that I picked Ernie a week early. FFS!!!
I know the feeling Roboman after punting Allenby for a place at the Honda 
Brent Graham wrote:Roboman wrote:Is it possible that I picked Ernie a week early. FFS!!!
I know the feeling Roboman after punting Allenby for a place at the Honda
happens a lot in golf punting and even more so on this forum, unlucky and frustrating.
Want to shout for Ernie and Charl tonight but Harrington punt means i'll have to change allegiance for 1 Sunday.
Ernie rides again! Sooo great to see Ernie back to his winning ways. And what a great story to see 2 South Africans go toe-to-toe over the last round. Mentor vs protege. Of course, took a little sentimental interest nibble on Els after Round 3 which made it just a little sweeter; but even if I hadn't, always great to see saffers on the podium 
Have to agree Syba and I was almost relieved none of my guys were up there as I would have had to pull against Ernie.
Personally I had long written the "Big Easy" off but this win will force a rethink as it was against the best in the world with one obvious exception missing.
Another poor week of golf punting for me (hard lines on Harrington South, at least you got a run) and will be looking to bounce back this week.
"bounce back" indeed!!
But with two SA's fighting it out on the fairways and two SA's atop the super 14 logs,i'm not gonna complain. 
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