USPGA Championship

AUGUST 9-15, 2010
WHISTLING STRAITS | KOHLER, WISCONSIN

Another major and again the focus is on the World number one but this time not because he is in red hot form and looks to be the man to beat. This time the focus is on Tiger for the opposite his lack of form. Tiger last week recorded his worst ever finish in a professional golf tournament finishing second last at Firestone. What makes his performance so bad is he is a seven time winner at the WGC Firestone. The one thing I have learned in life is never to knock a champion because as soon as you do it from nowhere they jump up and make you look silly. I can’t back Tiger this week but I will suggest his price of $17.50 on Betfair is quite remarkable considering he is a 14 time major winner and arguably the greatest golfer in history. So if we are staying clear of Woods then where do we look. Michelson is the obvious favourite to win but will the course suit. It is unforgiving if you don’t find the fairway and that scares me as Phil is notorious for being an unreliable driver of the ball, but he could still scramble his way to a win. Hunter Mahan fresh off a two shot win at Firestone and a great driver of the ball comes into contention, as does Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. But will we see another long shot come to the fore like YE Yang in last years tournament. He started ober 200/1 on Betfair and beat Tiger while going head to head on the final day, whatever the result I am sure we can find you some value and hopefully the eventual winner.

My top three selections this week are:

Padraig Harrington currently $22 Betfair
We were on Harrington last week at the win and also top 10 and he scraped home for us on the final day to clinch a top 10 finish for a small collect. I see the Irishman being right in the finish this week with some really solid form leading into this. Last week he really looked close and I was pleased with his final round to jump over 20 places on the last day. The week before he finished second at his home tournament the Irish Open and he looks to be in the form that saw him already become a three time major winner.

Nick Watney currently $55 Betfair
Nick is another of this brigade of late 20′s who are knocking on the door of a major championship. Watney has had six top 10 finishes is 2010 and his accuracy off the tee gives him a major advantage this week over some of his rivals. He is currently trading at $55 on Betfair and I think that is value.

Angel Cabrera currently $110 Betfair
Ok he isn’t in outstanding form but he did show glimpses last week with a couple of impressive rounds. He is a two time major winner at is over 100/1 as far as I am concerned that is value. He has a habit of winning when least expected and the tough Whistling Straights course should suit Cabrera. I am more than happy to take those odds and look to chop out if he starts well.

My absolute roughie last week was Bubba Watson we were able to secure odds of $240 at the beginning of the tournament and he traded at around $17 after Round one so a good earn for anyone who was on the ball there. This week I am going for Rory Sabbatini currently $210 Betfair. Rory has had a lean year and dropped well down in the world rankings but he looked good last week at Turning Stone. Not able to qualify for the WGC I am sure Rory would have been eating humble pie but he still recorded a top 10 finish and I think he is worth a ticket at those odds.

This week I am tipping Adam Scott to be top Aussie currently around $4.20 Betfair I think he picks himself. No Robert Allenby to worry about and Scotty had a great week at Firestone finishing top 10, if the putter works look out it might be a bigger prize than just top Australian he wins. I also like the odds of Michael Sim in this market currently $11 Betfair. Hits the ball straight and long and looks over the odds well worth a saver.

*Just remember when betting on Golf if you get the opportunity to make a profit or at least win back your stake you really should consider. There is no better feeling then having a locked in profit and vice versa no worse feeling then being on a 100/1 shot who firms to even money and then gets beaten and you have not laid off. That believe me is a feeling you don’t want!

Good luck!

Chris Clunes