It might smack of greed but 6/1 on Tiger would look very tasty indeed should he win as expected this week.
The Tiger-train rolls into Akron this week for the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, an event Woods has won six times in just nine visits.
The Course: Firestone GC (South Course), Akron, Ohio (par-70, 7,400 yards)
For a par-70, this is a long course - seven of the twelve par-4’s are over 450 yards - which, combined with the generous fairways, encourages the longer-hitters, like Woods, to let rip off the tee. However, the key to a good score here is accurate iron play to the smallish greens to set up birdie / eagle opportunities. There are only two par-5’s - the 2nd and the 667-yard signature hole 16th. The course takes some knowing, so previous experience is a definite advantage.
Ross' Top Tip: Tiger Woods @ 6/1 (To Win The WGC Invitational 2009 & The USPGA 2009) Stan James
Who can stop Tiger in his bid for win number seven? Well, considering his record here and in WGC events overall (15 wins in 28 starts to be precise), you could argue that he should be odds-on, so the current 7/4 with bet365 (9/5 Betfair) has to be great value.
However, before you go lumping on, it's worth considering backing him to win this and next week's USPGA Championship, for which Stan James offer enhanced double odds of 6/1. The thinking being that, given his 0-3 record in 2009 majors, he will be desperate to bag the final one of the year, and the venue Hazeltine affords him a great chance to do just that as he finished runner-up to Rich Beem there in 2002. It might smack of greed but 6/1 on Tiger would look very tasty indeed should he win as expected this week.
Next Best: Stewart Cink @ 45/1 bet365
That said, I'm going to allow myself two other 'value' bets in the outright market and the 45/1 on our Open winner is just too big in my opinion. Clearly, the Stoke-based outfit have already forgotten his Turnberry success, never mind his win here in 2004 and second two years later - made up a three-shot deficit to force a play-off with Woods only to lose after four extra holes.
Of course, I could back him in the 'Without Woods' market at 33/1 (Sportingbet) but with place terms of '1/4 odds five places' still on offer despite the limited field, I'll happily chase the bigger odds.
Outsider: Angel Cabrera @ 80/1 Coral
I struggle to catch the Argentinian ace right but I'm now convinced the bigger events (for which he's available at bigger odds) are the right time to back him these days. He's won two of the last 10 majors after all and has 'previous' here having twice finished fourth in 2004 and 2006. As for his current form, he played some nice golf last time out at Turnberry - where he was third in greens in regulation - and he only needs to hole a few more putts to be a serious contender this week.
While the early 100/1 is now history, the 80/1 on offer with Coral is still worth snapping up, although I wouldn't put anyone off backing him at 50/1 (Paddy Power) with Tiger taken out.
Tournament Lay (Betfair): Phil Mickelson
I might regret this one but you have to take a view sometimes and Lefty is going to be rusty for his first outing back since the US Open in my opinion. Granted, his early record here was exceptional but, last year's fourth aside, his recent form is not so good and he'll surely be working on his game ahead of next week's USPGA.
Ross' 72-Hole Match Bet: Stewart Cink to beat Vijay Singh @ 10/11 Betfred
Recommended Bets:
Tiger Woods (To Win The WGC Invitational 2009 & 2009 USPGA) 5pts @ 6/1 Stan James
Stewart Cink 1pt each-way @ 45/1 bet365
Angel Cabrera 1pt each-way @ 80/1 Coral