Last week was a nice bounce back week after a poor Masters performance. 4-1 +305 for The Heritage Classic brings the YTD PGA Tour record to 49-33-5 +1360.
This weeks tournament is at a new venue after 20 years at the TPC at the Woodlands. The Redsone Golf Club is a Peter Jacobson design that measures a brutish 7500 yds for this tournament. Jacobson says that the key to playing this course well lies in the play of the long, narrow par 4 holes. I will be looking for players that have good overall driving stats as well as those that have a good stroke average on par 4's. Good iron strikers should also do well here.
1. Scott McCarron +155 vs K.J. Choi
In discussing his new course, Jacobson said that it was a good fit for Scott as he drives it long and straight and hits a fade off the tee. K.J. is a tough competitor who has cashed several times for me this year, but I will take McCarron as a nice dog here.
2.Vijay Singh +120 vs Ernie Els
I'm not too comfortable going against Ernie but I think we get Vijay in a pretty good spot here. Insiders say that he is fully recovered from his rib injury and should continue what has been a great year. Vijay is perhaps the best iron striker on tour, a great driver of the ball, and seems to have conquered his biggest nemesis, his putter. He is draining putts with his new belly putter and when he is making putts he is deadly. I will take him as a dog here.He won this tournament by 6 strokes last year even though it was on a different track.
3.Chad Campbell-125 vs Adam Scott
The caddies on tour are all talking about how good Chad is hitting it. If you want to know who is hitting it and who isn't just ask the caddies. Chad drives it very long and straight and does a nice job on par 4 birdie conversions.He had a nice finish last week at Hilton Head where he cashed for me. Most Tour insiders feel that he will win an event this year. I will go with him again this week against the young Aussie.
4.Stephen Ames +100 vs Fred Couples
At face value this looks like a dumb bet. Fred has had a bit of a resurgence this year, he is playing in Houston where he played his college golf, and he will be a crowd favorite.I'm thinking this might be a lttle too much course for Fred. Ames is a young Englishman that many feel might be the next great British player. He ranks among the best in both par4 stroke average and birdie conversions. I will give him a shot here at even money.
5. Jeff Maggert -115 vs Tim Herron
Every time I go against " Lumpy " Herron I lose. I'm hoping that will change this week.I was very impressed with the way Jeff battled at Augusta despite all of the really weird stuff that happened to him with the ball hitting him and 2 shots in the water at #12. He is a very consistent driver of the ball and a great iron player. He has 2 second place finishes in this event and will be sleeping in his own bed as he lives in Houston.
That does it for this week. Good luck to all who wager on golf this weekend.
My only tourny play this week
Mickelson -145 def Toms other side of Mississippi Phil Plays much better
1st round
Couples -115 def Ames- Goin to ride Fred till He starts costing me a lot of money
Results after 36 holes :
Singh 3 up on Els
C.Campbell ( winner ) Scott missed cut
McCarron ( winner ) Choi missed cut
Ames 9 down to Couples
Maggert 5 up on Herron
Weekend matchups ( for results after 72 holes )
Chad Campbell -120 vs Kevin Sutherland
For the reasons stated in my first post i will continue to ride Chad.
Marc Calcavecchia -120 vs Fred Couples
I already have one guy down 9 to Fred so I could lose twice to him here. I like to bet on Calc when he is hot. He is a VERY streaky player.He will be paired with Fred today, they are good buddies so things should be nice and loose. I also can't stop thinking about the 77 Fred shot on Sun at Augusta.
GOOD LUCK
I made some errors on my previous update. Here is where we stand after 3 rounds :
decided matches :
McCarron W +155
C.Campbell W +100
Maggert W +100
Ames L -100
Matches still alive :
Singh 2 up on Els
Campbell 1 dn to K. Sutherland
Calcavecchia 1 dn to Couples
I guess my hunch on Fred Couples was way off. I bet against him twice and he wins the f*#king tournament. Oh well.
Tournament 4-3 +135
PGA TOUR 2003 53-36-5 +1495
Be back Wed with matchups for New Orleans
F/L
Got a feeling about Freds Game changeing this year 30 birdies for the tourny. If he didnt double boggy it would have been no contest. I should have gone against S Kendle agian and may next week if he is playing.
Higg,
Should have followed your lead on Couples. I wasn't going against him as much as I was going ON Calc and Ames.
I've been working on this weeks tourny and found out that Kendall has shot 22 rounds in the 60's this year and is tied for the tour lead. English Turn is a course that sets up well for guys who shoot low. You might want to see who Skip is matched up against before deciding to go against him.