The FBR Open at Scottsdale plays host to over 100,000 fans, most of which seem to congregate around the par-3 16th, making the tee shot a daunting prospect. For the players, it's squeaky bum time, but it makes for great TV!
The Course: TPC of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona (par-71, 7,216 yards)
A typical stadium course (i.e. designed for spectators), except that it is set in the desert so 'waste areas' and bunkers are prevalent. The course is made for big-hitters, especially if conditions are dry, as they can hit wedges into most of the greens, and they might even be able to drive the par-4 17th, which is a welcome relief after the bedlam of the 16th. Unusually, there are only three par-5's - the 3rd, 13th and 15th.
Ross’ Top Tip: Anthony Kim @ 12/1 Jenningsbet (1/4 odds, SIX places)
If his Ryder Cup antics are anything to go by, the classy American will love whipping up this week's raucous galleries with his attacking golf and their support is probably worth a couple of shots alone. He missed last week's Bob Hope citing a sore shoulder, but I suspect he was saving himself for this and the course is absolutely made for him. The presence of Phil Mickelson in the field ensures that we can back him at double-figure odds - bonus!
Next Best: David Toms @ 33/1 Stan James
It was a toss-up between last week's third Mike Weir, who is clearly back to the sort of form that won him the 2003 Masters, and Toms, who gets the nod on account of his better course form (only once outside the top-20 here) and bigger odds. Like Weir, he is a former Major winner whose form picked up considerably towards the end of 2008, and he's hit the ground running in 2009 with a runners-up finish in the Sony Open and a top-25 spot last week when he shot all five rounds in the 60's. I'm convinced he'll win one of these early-season events, so snap up the 33's.
Outsider: Mathew Goggin @ 66/1 Victor Chandler
The Aussie has been in red-hot form in his homeland over the winter with back-to-back runners-up finishes in the Open and PGA, and he should feel right at home this week as he has a house in Scottsdale. His course form is poor to be honest, but he's a demon putter, which is so often the key to success here. Worth risking at 66/1 (45/1 in places).
Tournament Lay: Phil Mickelson for a place (4.1 on Betfair at the time of writing)
A big favourite with the galleries, but he's sure to be rusty on his seasonal reappearance.
Ross’ 72-Hole Match Bet: Anthony Kim to beat Phil Mickelson @ 6/5 Sportingbet
In-running notes:
The third round leader has gone on to win eight times in the past 12 years, so don't look too far down the leaderboard before the final round.
Recommended Bets:
Anthony Kim 2pts @ 12/1 Jenningsbet (1/4 odds, SIX places)
David Toms 1pt each way @ 33/1 Stan James
Mathew Goggin 1pt each way @ 66/1 Victor Chandler
