PGA - Betting Guide
Tags : featured, PGA Betting, PGA, Weekly Betting Guide, PGA Odds14th April 2011, by
PGA – The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial This week the tour moves back to Texas for the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club. It’s the third event in Texas from the last 8 weeks and also the 46th running of this event. The privately owned course has been a regular venue on tour having been used in some capacity or another right back to 1941 when it first hosted the US open.
The Course Par 70 Yardage 7204yds
It is interesting to note that when Hogan won the first of his colonial invitational titles (in 1946) the course measured a little over 7000yds. This week it will only play around 7100yds, based on actual tee box positions, and it highlights how well Hogan played with inferior equipment (in the 40’s) compared to today’s modern pro. It is a tight tree lined track that rewards accuracy of the tee and those who are able to hit high percentages of greens in regulation.
Inside Running As you would expect with an event like the Colonial, the past history is littered with stellar golfing greats who have conquered the course and the opposing field. Most recently was Zach Johnson who shot -21 around the layout last year when on his way to capturing the title. Many believe his game is coming good and see him as a worthy candidate for success this week.
On to the markets
Outright Book My top rated player this week is
3pts Win Jason Day @ 18/1 The Aussie has been on a great run of form lately including strong showings at the Masters and also last week at Sawgrass. Day’s last tournament win was in 2010 at the Byron Nelson, which by coincidence also happens to be played in Texas. Add that to the fact that Day is a member of Colonial and it appears as though all of the cards are nicely stacked in Day’s favour. While distance has not been a prominent feature of many winners at this venue, it should be noted that both Sergio and Lefty as previous winners indicate that length, when used effectively, will aid the scoring needed to do well this week. The shortish odds are always a concern but the fact remains true – Day rates extremely well this week.
2pts Win Stewart Cink @ 40/1 Not being a great fan of Cink allows me to be quite critical of his game. However his recent form has improved sharply and there is enough to suggest a good showing is on its way. I really sit up and take notice when golfer holds a venue record like Cink – from 13 starts at the Colonial venue; Cink is yet to miss a cut. So that means, either I’ve put the mock on him this week, or he proves his love for the venue and gets amongst it. His recent 8 week scoring average has improved to 69.78 and his last two starts have been promising in that he has flirted with the top of the leader board. There is enough to warrant backing Cink at nice odds this week.
1pt Win Brandt Snedeker @ 50/1 Snedeker rates well this week on many desirable stats and the belief is that his steady play from the tee box combined with his solid putting stroke will put him firmly in the mix. After getting the better of Donald at Hilton Head on a tight narrow track, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Snedeker also do well on what is another tight shot shapers course. His two starts at the venue have been mixed but both times he made the cut and the best finish out of those two starts here was 29th.
1pt E/W Brian Davis @ 70/1 Steadily improving play has seen Davis finish higher up the leader board in recent weeks and the 2nd place finish here last year bodes well. Davis traditionally plays well during this leg of tour and it would be no surprise to see him hanging around the leader board over the weekend. At nice odds, it’s worth a speculative each way punt as I anticipate that the memories of last year will spur him on at a venue he likes to play and suits his game.
In the Top 25 market there is a couple who could show some value against the field:
1pt Win Pat Perez @ 2.25 He is mixing his form somewhat and that is always a concern, however 3 top ten finishes from his last three attempts at this venue are worthy of my attention and an investment especially given the fact his recent form has shown good glimpses of form. 1pt Win Lucas Glover @ 2.25 Glover could have slipped away quietly after his recent victory instead he has maintained his steady scoring and that has resulted in his recent prominence around the leader boards on the last couple of weekends. Everything was flying last weekend until he had a final round nightmare but after his stellar play for the 11 rounds prior, I think he was due a bad round. This week armed with the best putting stats on the new ‘putts gained against the field’ criteria and a previous 15th place here, I can see the benefits of playing Glover on the top 25 market.
As always, good luck, good punting and more importantly good health to you all no matter who carry’s your hard earned.
Browndog
last update : 19th May 2011 15:10