Farmers Insurance Open: Howell Can Go One Better

Farmers Insurance Open (January 28th-31st)

Format: Strokeplay (156-man field)
Courses: Torrey Pines-North (par-72, 6,874yards), Torrey Pines-South (par-72, 7,569 yards), La Jolla, California - players play a round at each of the two courses over the first two days, with the final two rounds being played on the longer South Course.
Weather: Overall, a pretty nice week with temperatures in the mid-60's
Where to watch: Live on Sky Sports all four days, starting 8.00pm (UK time) Thursday
Bets on by: 5pm (UK time) Thursday
2009 Winner: Nick Watney (11 under)

Ross' Three Off The Tee:-

Charles Howell III @ 35/1 Stan James
Howell can be frustrating to back (just ask me!), but this is not the time to desert him as everything points to him having a massive week. The wiry Yank is playing better than I've seen him for a while - solid week at the Bob Hope Classic (tied-26th) backed up by a tie for fifth at the Sony Open - and this is one of his favourite courses - twice a runner-up here in 2005 and 2007 (both times to Tiger Woods), plus two other top-15 finishes. With no Woods to worry about this week, this looks a great opportunity for him to go one better and the 35/1 is standout (25/1 in places).

Lucas Glover @ 40/1 William Hill
Tough courses like this one bring out the best in Glover. He didn't qualify for the US Open played here in 2008 but won the 2009 running at a not dissimilar track in Bethpage Black and has twice finished in the frame in this event with a third last year and a fourth in 2006. Forget his missed cut at the Sony last time as Waialae is not his cup of tea and he may have been suffering a hangover from his final round collapse at the SBS Championship, which he led with a round to go. That, on balance, at least shows he's in fair form and that MC hasn't hurt his price for this week.

Dustin Johnson @ 40/1 Skybet
With his power, precision and excellent putting, Johnson should be a contender just about every time he tees up and I'm expecting him to post an early win, like he did last season. I fancied him strongly for the opening SBS Championship but he just couldn't get it going and finished 16th. Still, one big positive from that week was his putting. He ranked third in putting average and was ranked 10th the following week at Waialae (where he also finished 16th), so it's just a case of the rest of his game clicking into gear and this week's layout is right up his street.

Bubbling Under: Matt Jones (80/1 bet365)
The Aussie finished fifth here last year and was an eye-catching 8th at last week's Bob Hope, so he could easily belie his odds.

Punters Beware: Phil Mickelson
I'm taking a watching brief on Mickelson for now as the new groove rules will place more of an emphasis on straight hitting and that's not always been his strong point. Besides, most of his best course form came back in the 90's before the South Course was toughened up.

Recommended Bets
Charles Howell III 1pt each-way @ 35/1 Stan James
Lucas Glover 1pt each-way @ 40/1 William Hill
Dustin Johnson 1pt each-way @ 40/1 Skybet

 

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Tags: Charles Howell III,  Dustin Johnson,  Farmers Insurance Open,  Golf Betting,  Lucas Glover,  Matt Jones,  PGA Tour,  Phil Mickelson