Tiger Woods returns to strokeplay action in this week's WGC-CA Championship at Doral Resort & Spa, but he faces a formidable field with every player eligible for the elite 77-man line-up set to compete.
The Course: Doral Resort (Blue Course), Miami, FLA (par-72, 7,266 yards)
Known as the 'Blue Monster', altough it's not much of a monster by modern standards. The 'blue' bit refers to the water, which comes into play on 12 holes, including the par-4 18th, one of the most difficult closing holes on Tour. There are four par-5’s - 1st, 8th, 10th and 12th, easily the longest at 603 yards. The Bermuda greens are quite large and typically grainy.
Ross’ Top Tip: Geoff Ogilvy @ 14/1 Coral
Bookmakers are giving Tiger Woods plenty of respect this week, with some firms going a ludicrously short 11/4. While you can never rule out the world No.1, he's surely going to need a few outings to find his best form and we should be looking to take him on for a few weeks yet. Defending champion Ogilvy, who was also third in 2007, is already twice a winner this year and, with Woods making the market, he looks an each-way steal at 14/1.
Next Best: Zach Johnson @ 30/1 bet365
The 2007 Masters winner had a disappointing 2008 by his standards, but he's made a blistering start to 2009, finishing sixth in the season-opening Mercedes and winning the Sony Open on his next start - currently ranked fourth for scoring (68.50), one place higher than Ogilvy. He has a fine record at Doral too, having yet to finish outside the top-20 in his last four starts, so must have a live chance this week.
Outsider: Aaron Baddeley @ 80/1 Ladbrokes
The confident Aussie can certainly talk the talk and, back on this week's Bermuda greens, you've got to fancy him to walk the walk. Two previous trips to Doral have yielded a sixth on his debut in 2007 and 15th last year, and it's no coincidence that both his US Tour wins came on courses with Bermuda greens, a surface he grew up on. If his putter stays hot - ranked first for putting in 2009 - he could make a mockery of his odds, which are generous in the extreme thanks to Mr Woods.
Tournament Lay: Tiger Woods - 4.8 on Betfair at the time of writing
The world No.1 will surely need the run and the opposition is tough.
Ross’ 72-Hole Match Bet: Geoff Ogilvy to beat Tiger Woods @ 7/4 Paddy Power
In-Running Notes:
Expect plenty of drama this week at the difficult 18th, which is a potential round wrecker, and respect the third round leader as they invariably go on to win.
Recommended Bets:
Geof Ogilvy 2pts each way @ 14/1 Coral
Zach Johnson 1pt each way @ 30/1 bet365
Aaron Baddeley 1pt each way @ 80/1 Ladbrokes