The PGA Tour heads west to California this week for the Buick Invitational, which is played over two courses - Torrey Pines-North and South. The North Course is used for one of the two opening rounds before everyone plays the South on the weekend.
The Courses:
South Course, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA (par-72, 7,568 yards) - Used for last year's US Open and, while it won't play quite as hard this week, it's sure to present players with a thorough test. The par-5's are the 6th, 9th, 13th and the closing 18th, the green of which is protected by water making it a classic risk-reward hole. The Bentgrass greens are smaller than average and notoriously difficult to read.
North Course (par-72, 6,874 yards) - Relatively short for a par-72 and plays around two shots easier than the South, meaning players on this course tend to dominate the first round leaderboard - in-play punters take note. There are four par-5's - 1st, 9th, 14th and 18th.
Ross' Top Tip: Charles Howell III @ 28/1 Coral
CH3 can be frustrating to back (believe me!), but he can normally be relied upon to bring his A game to this event and he would have won it twice but for a certain Tiger Woods. CH3 has twice been the bridesmaid to the world No.1 in 2005 and 2007, and finished fourth on his seasonal reappearance in the Sony Open, so I can forgive him his lack-lustre performance at last week's FBR Open. Back on one his favourite tracks, he looks decent each way value against some vulnerable market leaders - see tournament lays below.
Next Best: Rory Sabbatini @ 22/1 Betfred
After a disappointing 2008 by his standards, the South African has been dropping strong hints recently that he's about to return to his best - posted 12th position in both the Sony Open and the FBR Open - and he's twice rewarded each way backers in this event, including when third last year.
Outsider: Nick Watney @ 66/1 bet365
Players with California connections have a great record in this event and for Watney, who was born and educated in the Golden State, this is very much a home fixture. His recent form is encouraging too. A second round 63 helped him to a top-25 finish in the Bob Hope and he followed that up with a 12th place finish at the FBR Open, so I'm hopeful he can improve on his ninth place finish here in 2007.
Tournament Lays: Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington for a place (currently 4.8 and 4.4 respectively on Betfair)
Lefty has a great record in this event but his worst performances have tended to come after he's played poorly in his previous outing, and he looked a long way off his best when missing the cut last week. As for Harrington, he has never played this event before and was a never-nearer 36th at last year's US Open.
Ross' Match Bet: Charles Howell III to beat Retief Goosen @ 10/11 Ladbrokes
Recommended Bets:
Charles Howell III 1pt each way @ 28/1 Coral
Rory Sabbatini 1pt each way @ 22/1 Betfred
Nick Watney 1pt each way @ 66/1 bet365