The Players Championships, or 5th Major hits the golf calendar this week and of all the golf tournaments around the world Sawgrass probably has THE most iconic golf hole, the 17th... Its another tournament, like the Masters that stays constant for every year, played at the same course year after year, so any modifications to the course will be subtle as opposed to playing one of other Majors at a different course every year. Knowledge of playing here is vital with most winners having averaged 7 visits to the course before winning it. It dos test all aspects of your game but its history dos not dictate that the favourite will be the eventual winner, far from it, and this means there is value to be found even in the fav... The favourite this year is Rory Mcilroy, and at 9/1 is probably right but this will be his 3rd visit and he hasnt done very well in his previous attempts, he will obviously have a say in it near the end you would think, but im going to look elsewhere... Lee Westwood has spoken about liking this course and that it suits his game and he can back that up to be honest. Three top 10 finishes he finished tied 4th two years ago, this will be his 10th appearance and the way he played on the final day at Quail Hollow last week, -6 for the final round, shows he is keeping his standards high and at 14/1 has a great shout... Like Westwood the same can be said of the ultra consistant Luke Donald, but again im looking at this years comp from a slightly different angle... This tournament used to be played two weeks before the Masters but it got moved to the beginning of May in 2007. That means it gives this tournament a bigger field of winners as most of the time the players will try get their game right in a lead up to a big Major and maybe didnt push to win this as much as wanting to win the Masters... So if we look at the past winners and top 6 finishers since then, 2007, it dos seem to be dominated by the yanks... And thats where im going again... Hunter Mahon and Matt Kuchar are the two im following all year anyway and again at 30/1 and 50/1 respectively are good bets... Mahon is returning for the 7th time and came tied 5th last year 4 shots behind the winner, so he dos know his way around this course... Kuchar has had a break of three weeks leading up to this and his scrambling stats around the greens will give him a good chance also... Others that i am having a go at are at longer odds but i do feel i can get one of them in the top 6, which is what PadPow are paying out at, and they are Ben Curtis @ 70/1 and Zach Johnson @ 50/1... Curtis is second in greens hit to putts made on the tour... Johnson is making his 8th appearance and has shown signs of getting back to his top form this past month or so... Hunter Mahon @ 30/1... Matt Kuchar @ 50/1... Zach Johnson @ 50/1... Ben Curtis @ 70/1... All at £2.50 e/w... PadPow pays 1/4 odds for top 6... Good luck if you have a play...
My mate who also bets on the golf has gone with Mahan, Garcia, Rose and Watney... It will be a good tournament regardless but its always better if you can win a little beer money back...
Justin rose failing to make the cut in 4 of the last 5 PLAYERS has got to be of a concern i feel. Chris Stroud at 110/1 respresents great EW value. Finished T10 & T12 last two years so can play the course well. A bit more luck and he could be contesting the finish. Pretty consistent too. Brandt Snedeker again at 110/1, coming off a couple of great tournaments. Think this course will suit and can hopefully gain a place too. Then Geoff Ogilvy (90/1) and Louis Oosthuizen (66/1) are my two that i follow regardless. So hopefully they can perform with credit too.
Can't wait for this one, one of my personal favourites, i'll be putting up selections later or tomorrow morning when i have a little more time on my hands. Like all the selections so far good work lads.
As most tournaments are now so competitive and unpredictable and the fact that not many of the fancied players over the years have covered themselves in glory here, i'm immediately throwing out the top 5 in the betting purely because it's not enough value for me in a tournament like this, so Mcilroy, Westwood, Donald, Woods and Mickleson can all go straight away although any of them can win at a canter if in form, i don't see the value here in anythin under 30/1 and i hope, judging by past tournament patterns here, that we can get a so called suprise victor come Sunday. After some deliberation i decided to back Sang Moon Bae 150/1, this guy will be winning soon on the PGA tour, it's just a matter of when, i backed him in the Masters where he shone up pretty well for a 1st timer there, he's a pretty accurate hitter off the tee and can go hot with the putter at times, his irons can be very good or very off so i hope he's on for this week and his short game is adequate if in shape, i have backed him a few times this season and at the odds am happy to do so once again, hopefully Choi's win here last year mite be the inspiration he needs for back-to-back Korean victories. OK, my next pick was a little patriotic, but i very rarely back Harrington unless i see reason and this time i've reason, he appeared to be swinging well at Augusta and put in a good performance, one i don't think anyone was expecting except himself. He's being selective with his tournaments again which is strange for a guy that stated he wants to make Ryder cup this year, so i think reading between the lines that he feels whenever he does turn out that he is going to produce a big display and he will have to in-order to win here, but no doubt he has the game to do so and is a player that can definatly sneak into the places and maybe even win, i just hope the putter is on. So Padraig Harrington at 100/1 is a bet. Sang Moon-Bae 150/1 10e/w Padraig Harrington 100/1 10e/w Best of luck to the other guys picks, let's hope we can all have one runner there come the final few hours Sunday. Note: I have backed golfers as short as 6/1 before but just in certain tournaments i do not like doing so and that applies here.
Scores after the 1st round... Of those that the lads on the forum have backed... Leaders are at -7... T6 - Curtis........... -4 - red T6 - Kuchar.......... -4 - red T6 - Bae.............. -4 - sth T17 - Harrington... -3 - sth T28 - Johnson...... -2 - red T28 - Ogilvy........ -2 - smokin T37 - Oosthuizen.. -1 - smokin T78 - Stroud....... +1 - smokin T100 - Mahan....... +2 - red T121 - Snedeker... +4 - smokin Some good scores and some not so good... Can Poulter lead from the front and hang on to this, you never know. But one thing is for sure the big guns of Woods, Donald, Mahan, Westwood and McIlroy have made there next round hard work to just make the cut, and the proverbial mountain to win it...!!! Lets hope one of us can claim the title with our bets as weve got a fair few up there fighting for us...!!!
Delighted with the way my 2 started, took big prices about what are now alot shorter than i backed them at so it looks a good bet, but along way to go yet. I had to laugh yesterday when after 2 holes Harrington went -1 and got slashed from 100's with the English firms and 66's with the Irish into half those prices, i mean what do they be thinking, he's not going to shoot 36 under for the 4 day's, they could have at least held his price until he went -2 or -3, they weren't taking any risks anyway, then after 7 holes they eased him out a touch again. Be suprised if Poults can lead this all the way, but he no doubt has the ability to, i just don't think he has the temperment, but we'll see.
Oh dear, what a stinker Bae and Harrington had today, the frailties both are prone too shone through once more, a sign both are not 100% there with their games. Oh well, still make good viewing, Red has 3 live runners with 2 sharing the lead, those prices are looking rather good value now, should be exciting to watch that unfold, both are good front runners and used to the stage by now, so can't see no reason one won't win. My Father has Fowler so i'm gonna be shouting him on for the weekend. Impressed with Woods' ball striking today, a little bit more rub of the green and he may yet have a big say. A tricky one to call yet and no doubt a good weekend in store with plenty of twists and turns so bring on moving day and best of luck to the bets still in play.
I've only just seen this thread so sorry for the "after timing" but I will throw mine into the mix. Backed two Aussies with Paddy Power on Weds so pays ew 1/4 odds first 6. Adam Scott 7.50 ew @ 33/1 Jason Day 5 ew @ 40/1 Obviously Day has missed the cut but I'm hopeful with my Scott bet. Two solid rounds so far. Think Westwood will be a danger if learning how to putt and Tiger put together a solid round yesterday so must be feared if continuing that.
Scores after the 2nd round... Leaders are at -8 T1 - Kuchar........... -8 red T1 - Johnson......... -8 red T5 - Scott ............ -6 peter - welcome to the thread... T10 - Curtis........... -5 red T41 - Ogilvy........... -1 smokin missed cut... Mahan, Bae, Oosthuizen, Stroud, Harrington and Snedeker... Well what a day in the Players Championships... I didnt watch any of it last night as i was working but after finishing and seeing two of my picks top i certainly slept better... Although reading the reports this morning of the 2nd days action it seems were back to the Tiger Woods show. Seems like the boy did well, and the way the press are going mad over him, he is nailed on to win this...!!! I see Zach Johnson bogeyed the last so he could be a 1 shot leader but it dosnt work like that, they all leave shots on the course... Poulter had a nightmare opening holes, McIlroy continues to struggle here though it is only his 3rd appearance. Westwood and Donald have given themselves a fighting chance, a long one but you never know... Of course we know it can change very quickly but from a personal point of view i will have a few scary moments with my 3 picks... Please, please dont go into the water, hazzards or the rough... Current odds... Johnson......... 13/2 Kuchar.......... 11/2 Scott............ 8/1 Curtis............ 28/1 Ogilvy............ 125/1 If Tigger did touch 100/1 that would be amazing if he were to make the top 4 and you had a cheeky wager on that, he is currently a 16/1 shot...!!! I didnt bet on it as you wouldnt would you, but i dont see him winning it even from here... Hope we get a good few more days of twists n turns but not with my picks...
Thanks for the welcome Red. Tiger definately hit 100/1, saw it with my own eyes! So if anyone had a play on that then well done!
Watched a lot of golf over the years , never seen anything like what's happening with Na . He can 't take the driver away , 5/6 waggles then walks away , shouting at himself and apologising to his partner , unbelievably he his playing well!!!
Yeah it can be pretty frustrating to watch and i have seen and played with 1 or 2 guy's who would have done the same only not as extreme as Na is demonstrating. It's really kinda annoying and fun to watch for me, i don't like his caddie helping him line up though, nor do i with any golfer at any level except maybe on the putting surface where they have to read greens, a pro should be able align himself correctly to where he wants to hit, Na must really always be fidgeting and tinkering with his game to be so insecure over it. Garcia used to do something similar with the grip, that got frustrating to watch, there have been several though. Red, looking good for Sunday, Kuchar is looking good if only he can cut out that odd mistake or two, i think he went 7 or 8 holes without a par if i'm right? Anyway, Johnson was unlucky he missed a few 4 or 5 footers he shouda holed and Curtis won't win it but may pull out a place for ya. Peter, Scott nabbing a place is all you will get now so heres hoping, he made a hash of the 18th! Looks between Kuch, Fowler and Na now but stranger things have happened on a golf course than 3 leaders throwing it all away on Sunday, but i feel Kuchar and Fowler are the ones to be siding with now, just not a fan of Na's game under pressure, anyone remember his 16? Hope it turns into an exciting final round and may the best golf of the day be the golf that wins it. Goodluck to bets in with any shout, i'll be siding with Fowler for back to back W's as the Americans would say as i stated above.
Ok... The final day and its all to play for... Leader is Kevin Na at -12... How, we dont know...!!! With whats going on in his head it pretty amazing... 2 - M. Kuchar... -11... red T4 - Z. Johnson... -7... red T4 - B. Curtis... -7... red T14 - A. Scott... -4... peter T27 - G. Ogilvy... -3... smokin So Kevin cant hit a ball... And he is leading the tournament...!!! Mats gone all Kucha' kucha' koo and dropped from top spot and a 3 shot lead to 2nd place... Oh Rickie, your so pretty you dont understand, you've shot a great round and your now back in this tournament... Ben Curtis played flawless golf with no dropped shots. Lets hope he continues this form before he starts playing like Jamie Lee Curtis...(though Jamie Lee Curtis was pretty flawless looking in her time...!!!) Adam Scott needs a word with himself and this belly/chin putter. He is either great with it or very poor. He could be well in this had he sunk some of the easier putts he missed... Geoff Ogilvy needs a miracle but at least he made all four days unlike some that we wont mention... So at last a get to watch some of the Players tournament live tonight and i hope i dont jinx any of my picks... Looking from here on in if i dont bring home some e/w money i will be gutted... A win be great, or all three placing will be very good... Seen some of the highlights and the course looks in great nick but it is claiming shots if you stray so its been a very tough but fair course... Heres hoping for a good days, well night for us, golf. And may all my picks be winners...
Good luck Red. Hope Na has a terrible round and you can get one of your bets up. Really disappointed with Scott yesterday, had high hopes but he made two double bogeys and missed a few birdie/eagle putts which should have dropped. Hoping for a place at best now.
Red! All i can say is Wow! I wanna hear your thoughts on next weeks tournament. Hunter Mahon @ 30/1... Matt Kuchar @ 50/1... WIN Zach Johnson @ 50/1... T2 Ben Curtis @ 70/1... T2 Jesus christ what a pay day for you
Well done Red, or the Oracle as you will now be referred to when it comes to golf betting, hard to get 1 placed it's so competitive these day's let alone have 3, good work. Kuchar looked steady all day once he got that early blip outta the way, Curtis perfromed better than i thought, well done to him, Johnson also solid all day, well deserved. Laird and Donald gave it their all, well done to those two also, thought Laird showed real bottle after 2 frustrating day's for him and finished well and Donald alsmost looked good for that untouchable 29 there but just fell short. I know this is terrible but maybe you can do a little celebrating to this smash hit! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM2NocuEihw Anyway's, well done again Red...KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH!!!
Superb Red, wanna hear your predictions for the next major ASAP! Great weekends work. If only you were as good on the horses....
