Justin Rose

It doesn’t really seem to be registering much interest after all the hype around the Presidents Cup last week, but there is Golf World Cup betting to take a look at this week. We have 28 nations battling it our for the honours at Mission Hills Haikou in China this week. There is a bit of complicated qualification process, as the top 18 players from the Official World Golf Ranking from back in July qualified, and those eighteen picked a team mate to pair up with for the World Cup. Some nations also made it into the event through qualifiers, which is a stroke play event. There are no singles to look at in your 2011 Golf World Cup betting, because day one and day three has fourball matches, and the second day and the fourth and final have foursomes. So what are we looking at for our Golf World Cup betting odds this time around? Well, this is the first event since 2009 when the tournament switched to a biannual affair, but it is the 54th running of the event, which sort of falls under the radar at the end of a long season. Still, there is some great golf to look forward to, and leading the pack out front in the betting, is the formidable looking pairing from Northern Ireland of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. With the pairing of two Major Champions, they are going to take some stopping. McIlroy is just in such good shape at the moment, and Graeme McDowell has steadily played his way back into form after a bit of a disappointing season all round. But the Irish pair really are expected to set the pace, especially after finishing second in 2009 and McIlroy is the highest ranked player going in to this renewal of the event. Not only is the incentive of winning the World Cup on the cards, but the winners will collect a cool $1.2 million each. The Blackstone Course on Hainan Island will host the tournament for the first time, and it is a long one at 7,800 yards over a par of 72. There will be an advantage for the longer drivers here, so you are looking for that perfect blend of length and greens in regulation in a partnership.

But there are also good options down the field beyond the Irish duo. South Africa have sent out a very strong pairing of Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. The pair must really, really fancy their chances here because they missed the South African Open to come and take part in this. Schwartzel is the big gun here, one of the best all round players on the PGA Tour. The defending Golf World Cup champions are Italy, with brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari. They triumphed a couple of years ago by just one shot but they neither of them have really put together too impressive of a year to be honest. With the brother connection tempting a lot of people to have a punt on them, don’t see them coming out and defending their title. We think that the rest of the field in terms of quality amongst the leading pack, is just going to  be too strong for them to rise up this year. Still, Italy are good value in Golf World Cup betting, but not sure they are the best route to go down. England however have a fair chance of this. We have Ian Poulter and Justin Rose pairing up to represent their country here and England have a good track record at the event, winning it in 2004. Ian Poulter is a little hit and miss in his form, but the steadying hand of Justin Rose, who is just so good and getting from tee to green will be the influential back bone of the team. Can see them being a good combination actually, because Poulter will go for things bravely when necessary, and Rose will know how to play the percentages of when to go for it.

We are also going to have to mention the USA in all this, because they have the super consistent Matt Kuchar fresh of his Presidents Cup exploits, pairing of with Gary Woodland. Woodland is a monster hitter off the tee and with Kuchar’s accuracy and consistency they make for a dangerous outsider pair in your 2011 Golf World Cup betting. One other Nation pairing that we think is really going to be worth looking at, and that is Sweden who have Robert Karlsson and Alexander Noren going off for them. This looks a very solid partnership and would really fancy a great bet on them to come from deep in the market and be a real threat, and potentially big profit for your Golf World Cup betting. But for now, the outright favourites are justifiably Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. Scotland line up with Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher, while Wales go with Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies.

Omega Mission Hills Golf World Cup Betting
Ireland: 4/1 at Bet365
South Africa: 11/2 at Victor Chandler
England: 7/1 at SportingBet
USA: 9/1 at Bet365
Italy: 11/1 at Totesport
Sweden: 12/1 at SkyBet
Germany: 16/1 at Bet365
Spain: 16/1 at BetFred
Netherlands: 33/1 at Unibet
Scotland: 33/1 at Unibet
Wales: 33/1 at William Hill

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There is a good field out for the Andalucía Masters this week in European PGA Tour golf betting. Winner last week on his home course, Spaniard Sergio Garcia looks to follow up his great win at the Castello Masters, his first victory on the Tour for a long time, has really shone some golf betting spotlights on him. He was superb last week, but we have to remember that this is a course on which he grew up playing, and was very familiar. He still had to do the work to put in a the great score that he did, but this week will see him face a much more challenging field as well. Still, he has been pretty consistent this year and now he has finally landed that win, he should be full of confidence and raring to go. Probably worth a look at a good place finish. Along with Sergio Garcia, who is one of the strong bets here, there are a clutch of good Spaniards in the field on home soil. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Miguel Angel Jiminez, Pablo Larrazabal and Alvaro Quiros are all competing in the Andalucía Masters golf betting. Again, places for the top fifteen in the Race to Dubai are concerns for Quiros, Garcia, Larrazabal and Jimenez in particular who are on the bubble. Will we see another Spaniard with a title in his hands at the end of the week? There is a fair chance.

Graeme McDowell, who has had something of a difficult season by his standards, is the defending Champion of the Andalucía Masters, and therefore should be looked at for your golf betting. It is tough defending titles but it proves that the Northern Irishman has a good track record at the event, and his game fits the course well. McDowell could really do with a win, as it could shoot him into the top fifteen in the Race to Dubai, which would allow him to head to the Dubai World Championships and compete for the huge pot of money available there at the end of the year. So McDowell, who has just recently shown glimpses of his top game, has a lot to gun for and is trading well in Andalucía Masters golf betting. McDowell, with his experience, should be able to get something going at the course again, but this is a field in which there is a lot of players with genuine credentials to step up and win this one. So it is going to be a massive challenge for McDowell to hold on to his title. He heads to the Andalucía Masters on the back of a third place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. His best finish in a tournament for a long time.

Martin Kaymer, former world number one, could also do with a win, as he is looking to chase down the Race to Dubai leader Luke Donald. There is still eight European Tour events left to go this season, and while Donald is well out in front of the pack in the race, Kaymer can start to turn up the head a little bit, by making inroads in the two million Euros lead that Donald has over him right now. We most recently saw him in the Portugal Masters where he landed a top ten finish. The German too has had his struggles with consistency this year, and he admitted that he had a hard job of living up to the pressure of being the world number one. Still, he is a top contender though, and if he is swinging well off the tee again, he should be in for a good place. There is just enough to suggest that he is going to land something soon. This is where the pressure of the season starts to wind up to new levels, because of the Race to Dubai and the big money which is involved there.

Justin Rose has fond memories of the course, having won here in 2007 when the course hosted the Volvo Masters. This is his debut at the Andalucía Masters though, but Rose’s consistent stats should be in good stead as well here. He is great at finding the fairway and landing it on the green. Has been quiet on the European front, but will enjoy being back here. You look down the field and see the likes of Matteo Manassero who did decently at the Castello Masters last week, and then a very strong European trio of Peter Hanson, Alexander Noren and Thomas Bjorn. Would not be surprised to see one of these three step up and win the Andalucía Masters. Hanson has shown fantastic consistency over the last three events and really looks ready to land his first title of the season. Landed a 6th at the Bankia Madrid Masters and an 11th at the Portugal Masters so is in good form. But Alexander Noren and Thomas Bjorn are both in the exclusive club of being multiple winners on the European PGA Tour this season, with Bjorn gunning for his fourth title of the season, and Noren his third. Both players are worth looking at in your Andalucía Masters golf betting, as Noren heads there on the back of a third place finish at the Castello Masters last week, and Bjorn has won two of his last four starts. A superb field on show here and the pressure of good finishes is becoming vital.

Would look for Noren, Bjorn and Hanson for a strong weekend.

Andalucía Masters Golf betting odds
Sergio Garcia: 7/1 at Paddy Power (Place Market 13/8 at Paddy Power)
Martin Kaymer: 12/1 at Bet365 (Place Market 11/4 at paddy Power)
Graeme McDowell: 20/1 at SkyBet (Place Market 9/2 at Paddy Power)
Justin Rose: 22/1 at Bet365 (Place Market 9/2 at Boylesports)
Peter Hanson: 22/1 at Boylesports (Place Market 5/1 at Boylesports)
Alexander Noren: 25/1 at Blue Square (Place Market 9/1 at Stan James)
Thomas Bjorn: 22/1 at BetFair (Place Market 5/1 at SkyBet)

It is crunch time now for the PGA Tour players at the top of the money earners list for season, and Webb Simpson and Luke Donald, the number one and two on the list, square off at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Donald is going to really need to eek out a win to try and catch current leader Webb Simpson. Simpson, after making it to a play off against Ben Crane at The McGladrey Classic on the weekend, Simpson has put himself at the top of the list, leading Donald by $363,029 dollars. The prize for the winner at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic is $846,000, so as well as Donald needs to do here in the last even of the PGA Fall Series, he needs Simpson to not finish close behind him. Only once in the last two decades has the leader of the money list changed in the final week of the season, which isn’t good news for Donald. This tournament is held at Disney’s Magnolia and Palm Courses in California, with both of them being a Par 72. The scoring is usually pretty low at this event, with Magnolia being one of the easiest courses, scoring wise, on the entire PGA Tour. So there are big chances for more low scores here and it should add to the atmosphere of a dramatic finally to see who finishes top of the money list. There is a need for a good bit of distance off the tee, as highlighted by last year’s winner Robert Garrigus who was smacking the ball very long. The player you back in Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic golf betting is going to be need to be hot with the putter, because the field will get chances, and so it will need someone to really stand out above the crowd in that department. Distance will be helpful off the tee, but not as crucial as hitting the green in regulation. The greens run pretty flat for a championship course  and are generously sized, so players can have a real crack at them. Again, on an easy course, the players really have to beat a lot more of the field than they would on tougher tracks.

Luke Donald 8/1 at Bet365 (Place Market 7/4 at Totesport)
Has the opportunity to be the first ever man to top both the PGA Tour and European Tour money lists in the same season. A remarkable achievement it would be, but he makes his first appearance in Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic golf betting since 2003. If Donald can knock out a win here, he will need Simpson to finish worse than a solo second. If Donald lands a solo second (which rewards $507,000), then the Englishman would need to see Simpson finish down in eighth or worse. If Donald ties for second place, then Donald would still just about get to the top of the list, if Simpson finishes worse than a four way tie for second. Not played here for a while put should be able to create enough chances to keep him in the running. Finished outside of the top ten in Madrid recently, but fired a T9 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship prior to that. Donald’s strength with the putter should really come into play here. For all of his iron work skill, the thing that defines him, he is ranked 51st in greens in regulation on the PGA Tour. Still, missed out on a Major again this year, missed out on the FedEx Cup, but is still the man with the most top ten finishes, and this is a fantastic chance for him to make himself a bit of history. Has won on both the European and PGA Tour circuits this year. Well worth a punt.

Webb Simpson: 10/1 at Stan James (Place Market 12/5 at Totesport)
It has been nothing short of an incredible season for Simpson. After taking himself a bit of a break, he rocked back into the McGladrey Classic last week and pushed his way into the play off. He ultimately failed against Ben Crane, but it was another top ten finish for him. That was his 11th out of 25 starts this season. Simpson also had the FedEx Cup within his grasp but couldn’t quite close that out, finishing as runner up there to Bill Haas but just 15 points. Simpson has landed two PGA Tour titles over the second half of the year, and the way he was striking the ball at the McGladrey Classic last week was just majestic. Simpson believes that he has played worse over the second half of the season than the first, and has just rediscovered his consistent swing. If that is true, and there was evidence of it last week, then the rest of the field is in trouble. Five top ten finishes in his last six starts, four of those being top five finishes. Cannot argue with his form at all, and the man to beat on the PGA Tour at the moment. He has just been incredible and we can expect one more flourish from him. It is hard to see him finishing outside of the top five anyway. He is just nailing everything at the moment, and on a low scoring course, well, you expect even lower from him. If it comes down to a battle of putting, would take Donald against him though.

Justin Rose: 14/1 at Bet365 (Place Market 10/3 at Victor Chandler)
Here’s a name we have not seen for a while. He picked up the BMW Championship title of course not too long ago and his record at Disney should put him in good stead. He is going to be well rested coming into this final event, because he has not played for a month. What puts him among the favourites here is that he is very good and landing it on the green, ranking 10th on the Tour for sticking it on the putting surface. Has three top five finishes at Disney, and currently holds the course record of 60 at the Palm Course. Should be in contention and well worth a bet.

Gary Woodland: 22/1 at Paddy Power (Place Market 5/1 at Victor Chandler)
Riding pretty strongly in the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic gold betting this week, and that is because of some good form recently. Has landed in the top 25 in all starts since (and including) the PGA Championship and is very, very good in making greens in regulation. Pretty handy with the putter as well and could well make a good run here at Disney, although it is his first outing here.

Charles Howell III: 25/1 at Victor Chandler (Place Market 5/1 at SkyBet)
This is a name which keeps cropping up and you can’t ignore his presence. Has a decent record at Disney having never failed to miss a cut there, and finish T9 at last years event after getting off to a wonderful start over the first two and a half rounds where he never dropped a single shot. Very good accuracy in his approach work to the greens and also great at taking putting chances. Good top ten record for the season and definitely makes the best outside bet behind the two main protagonists of Donald and Simpson this week.

Spencer Levin: 30/1 at Paddy Power (Place Market 13/2 at Stan James)
Was expecting him to go a little bit better at the McGladrey Classic last week, and although he was inside the top ten in hitting greens in regulation, he couldn’t finish better than a T32 on Sunday. Anyway, he is still one of the form players on the PGA Tour and should be watched for. He has a couple of top tens in the PGA Fall Series and landed a T3 finish at Disney last season. Good enough all round game for a strong top ten finish at least.

PGA Tour Money List Betting Odds
Webb Simpson: 1/7 at Paddy Power
Luke Donald: 13/2 at Totesport

We are looking at the TOUR Championship golf betting this week, which is the final play off for the FedEx Cup. This is the post season of the PGA Tour, and the last thirty men go into battle at East Lake in Georgia, all dreaming of picking up that $10 million prize on offer as the FedEx Cup winner. We have looked at the FedEx Cup title connotations here, so this is a focus on the TOUR Championship betting itself. We have seven first timers at East Lake this time around for the play offs, but the big guns will be out in force, and familiar faces are dominating the betting. For your TOUR Championship golf betting, you need to be looking for someone with good greens in regulation stats. The thing about East Lake, which has not been changed from last year, is that sticking it on the greens is paramount, because the ball will stick there and open up big putting chances. The approach work to the greens is going to be far more important than driving accuracy off the tees, because the rough is quite shallow and forgiving around the course. So with that concern eased, the course demands accuracy and good form with the irons and the putter. It is all on the line now for the 30 man field and here we take a look at the 2011 TOUR Championship golf betting. England’s Luke Donald looks to be the man to beat after a strong performance here last year, but what will we see from debutant Webb Simpson who is holding number one spot in the FedEx Cup? Are we going to see a big surprise like last year when Jim Furyk came from 11th to take the FedEx Cup with a win at the TOUR Championship?

See here for FedEx Cup Odds, Standings and What Needs To Happen Scenarios

Luke Donald: 13/2 at Boylesports
Sitting in fourth place for the FedEx Cup title, Donald needs a win. You do get the feeling that he has been building towards something fantastic, and he has got his eye on the World Number One spot and the FedEx Cup title at the same time. It would round out a fantastic year for him. Donald was runner up at East Lake last year, in which he finished T3 in greens in regulation. Going in to the TOUR Championship betting on the back of a 4th place at the BMW last week, he is in great form. Has landed nine of his eleven play off rounds under seventy, and currently sits second on the PGA stats in strokes gained putting and first in adjusted scoring. His accuracy in hitting the greens is going to be paramount here, and why he is a genuine contender to win the tournament and the big FedEx Cup prize.

Webb Simpson: 12/1 at Bet365
Simpson has been having a remarkable yet, but the thing to weigh up here in going along side Luke Donald, is that this is the first time Simpson has played at East Lake. That has to come into effect, because Donald has a proven track record here and we have no idea how Simpson is going to handle the course and the pressure of being the FedEx Cup points leader. Still, his solo 5th at the BMW at Cog Hill last week was his fourth straight top ten finish, and he did finish as the top man for making greens in regulation. Something that is crucial this week at East Lake. Fascinating prospect here and the tournament is well within his grasp the way he is playing

Nick Watney: 16/1 at Ladbrokes
Coming off a T22 performance at the BMW to keep himself in with a chance. He did play extremely well at East Lake last year, really ranking high in many states, coming in fourth with a great performance. Again, a track record where Simpson is lacking, and therefore could make a great value bet. Have just been wanting a little bit more from Watney in the big occasions this season, but on the back of his very strong performance last year at East Lake, could be a contender for the TOUR Championship title. If it happens, needs other results to go his way to win the FedEx Cup, and remains an outside shot at that.

Adam Scott: 16/1 at Bet365
Aussie Scott was good at Cog Hill, but hasn’t quite raised the challenge in the play offs as expected. Not a great history at East Lake either, failing to make it inside the top twenty five in his two attempts. Still, what could help him is his driving and his good work this season in making the greens in regulation. He stands at 28th in the PGA for Greens in Regulation and that should at least put him in contention for a good finish to the season. Unlikely to win the FedEx Cup, but could go out with a bang.

Jason Day: 20/1 at SportingBet
The other Aussie in contention, Day, has lost a bit of his accuracy over the past few tournaments. There is no question that he can drive long and hard off the tee, but his accuracy has failed him. However, that is not quite such an issue at East Lake because the rough is quite forgiving. Still, he leads the PGA in par 3 scoring and was T17 here last year. Outside shot because still think wayward driving is going to hurt him at some point over the weekend.

Justin Rose: 20/1 at SportingBet
Can Rose really follow up his win at the BMW by taking the TOUR Championship as well. The BMW win fired him into third place in the FedEx Cup standings and has the $10 million prize in his sights. Played well last week where he ranked in the top five in greens in regulation, putting and fairways hit. He stands at 8th overall in the PGA for greens in regulation and that stats add up to him making a good charge here. We don’t like backing players to win back to back golf tournaments too much, as it is a rare thing. That is what is keeping him out at this price.

Dustin Johnson: 20/1 at Bet365
DJ struggled at the BMW after a strong start to the play offs and in good form. Seems to have drifted away a bit as a genuine threat. The putter is not going too strongly and under the pressure of the final event here, it is going to be hard for him to pull it back. Still in with a shot at the FedEx Cup though in second place, but needs a huge bounce back performance. Wouldn’t put it past him as he has the character to do it, but there are stronger options in the field. Hits big, usually with plenty of control but needs to get back some focus in his game. Plenty of motivation there for him though.

Matt Kuchar: 20/1 at Paddy Power
Could be the understated player of the TOUR Championship. Standing in fifth for the FedEx Cup points rankings, knowing that a win will secure him the big prize there. Has the control in his game to tame East Lake, but a wayward round at the BMW showed signs that maybe it is not going to happen for the American. He is up the FedEx Cup points because of his consistency, but has he got that winning edge to come out a winner at East Lake? Not sure about that.

2011 TOUR Championship Betting Tip: We have to look at Luke Donald here. Has the track record to handle this course and in great shape at the moment. Would also look at Nick Watney as an outside shot after going well here last season.

The FedEx Cup in Golf betting is now down to the wire, with just one tournament, the TOUR Championship left to play this week. This is the season culmination, with the last 30 men left standing in the points rankings at the conclusion of last week’s BMW Championship, gets a shot at the title. England’s Justin Rose pulled out the big win last week, putting himself right in contention now as one of the front runners. With that win, Rose pulled himself into third spot in the FedEx Cup standings, a big momentum shift for the Englishman, knowing that a win at East Lake, Georgia this week, will land him the $10 million prize. But of course there are challengers around him, and basically we need to take a look at the top five going into the TOUR Championship as they do hold the biggest advantage in terms of picking up the FedEx Cup. Basically, if any of the top five players going into the tournament win, then they will be crowned champion. It is as simple as that. The player going into the TOUR Championship spot of course has the biggest advantage of all.

After the BMW Championship, the FedEx Cup points earned over the season and in the play offs, gets reset. While Webb Simpson topped the FedEx Cup points after last week’s event with 5,621 points ahead of Dustin Johnson back on 3, 841 all points now get reset. The leader (Simpson) starts with 2,500 points, second placed Johnson starts with 2,250 points, Justin Rose in third starts with 2,000 points, Luke Donald in fourth goes with 1,800 points and so on, down the thirty man field with a decreasing amount of points. Why? Well if regular season FedEx Cup points will have stood, it would have meant that Simpson was a massive 1780 points ahead of Johnson and 2527 points ahead of sixth placed man Brandt Snedeker. This would have meant that out of the final thirty men, only five could actually win, with 2,500 points being awarded for a FedEx Cup play off win. Instead, with the points reset for the final play off event, it means that everyone in the 30 man field can still technically win the FedEx Cup. Of course, the man down in 30th needs a big win and the leaders to fail badly, so remains a major outside chance, but it leaves the competition open, but still giving a big advantage to the players who have topped the FedEx Cup points in the regular season. All clear?

Well where does it leave us in FedEx Cup betting?

While the FedEx Cup leaders (the ones in the top five specifically) know that a win brings them double glory here at East Lake, we can cast our minds back to last year when Jim Furyk won here, starting from 11th in the FedEx Cup standings to take the big prize. Is someone going to do a Furyk? Or are we going to see one of the leaders hang on? Consistency is key.

FedEx Cup Points on offer: 1st 2,500, 2nd 1,500, 3rd 750, 4th 750, 5th 550, 6th 500

See TOUR Championship golf betting odds here

(2,500 pts 1st) Webb Simpson – 17/5 at BetFair
Well Webb Simpson is the man to beat, simply because there has been no-one better than him during the closing of the season. He has been in phenomenal form, winning two of his last four events (including the Deutsche Bank) and finishing fifth at the BMW last week. That is the consistency that gets rewarded and Simpson is in a position where he doesn’t necessarily need to win the TOUR Championship, just a good finish above his closest rivals would do it (and enough to hold off whoever does win the TOUR Championship). But basically Simpson is holding all the cards, and playing so well, it is hard to back against him. He has just not buckled under the pressure.
What Simpson needs: A win secures the title, a top five finish will likely win it for him too.

(2,250 pts 2nd) Dustin Johnson – 7/1 at BetFair
After winning the Barclays, Johnson looked really ramped up and ready to conquer. He has played so well over the year, and continuously looked as if he was building towards something big. He felt the pressure a bit last week at the BMW though, finishing down in T65, but it was enough to hold on to second place. Needs to get back on track, especially with the putter. He can perform.
What Johnson needs: A win secures the title, and will be in with a great chance with a top 3 finish. The lowest mathematical finish for him where he can still win the title, would be 6th.

(2,000 pts 3rd) Justin Rose – 7/1 at BetFair
Really came from down the field to put himself in big contention to win the FedEx Cup. The Englishman just about held his nerve in the closing round of the BMW Championship. Was a great, composed performance in all over the four days. Needs to perform just as well at East Lake, but winning back to back tournaments is a tough thing to do. Needs a strong finish and for Simpson and Johnson to slip up. A win though and the title is his.
What Rose needs: A win secures the title, while a second place finish puts him in with a great chance. The lowest he can finish and still mathematically win is fourth.

(1,800 pts 4th) Luke Donald – 7/2 at BetFair
The world number one has been saving the best for last you feel. Has played very well throughout the play offs, especially as he went into them having suffered a bit of a dip in form. What backers will favour in his game though, is that he produced a superb runner up spot at East Lake last season. It wasn’t enough to take the FedEx Cup then, but a top two finish could be enough. Only a win will secure the title, but anything else needs other results to go his way. Still in a very strong position though.
What Donald needs: A win secures the title, second place puts him in with a good chance. The lowest he can finish and mathematically win is 3rd.

(1,600 pts 5th) Matt Kuchar – 8/1 at BetFair
Haven’t really seen the big threatening pinch put on by Matt Kuchar in the play offs this year. Continues to be consistent, but troubled by the lack of finishing power when it matters most. Still in with a chance though, as he is in fifth place and on the bubble. A win takes the title.
What Kuchar needs: A win secures the title, in with a mathematical chance with a second place finish.

FedExCup Outright Odds at BetFair
Webb Simpson 17/5, Luke Donald 7/2, Justin Rose 7/1, Dustin Johnson 7/1, Matt Kuchar 8/1, Brandt Snedeker 19/1, Jason Day 19/1, Nick Watney 19/1, Phil Mickelson 22/1

FedEx Cup Betting Tip:
While Webb Simpson definitely has his fate in his own hands, for value we are going to look at Luke Donald. He has been threatening, has landed 9 out 11 rounds in the play offs below 70, and looks on top of his game. One final push from Donald here with Simpson (who has not played at East Lake before) under pressure, could see the Englishman take this. His runner up spot last year shows that he is suited to the course.

The players heading to the AT&T National will need to have their all round game in check to stay in contention. Last year the tournament came to the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania for the first time, and England’s Justin Rose ran off with the title. The course does feature a lot of tight fairways and the greens are pretty small and tough to hit. However, the man with the right all round game can really get their teeth into the course, and the list of contenders below all have a strong all round game, with smart iron work being crucial. Look for players ranking high in greens hit over the season, because that really will give you pointers for accuracy which is needed here. You also have to look at players who are in strong form with the putters, because the greens do produce a lot of movement and can be hard to read. It is quite similar to that of Congressional which was used for the US Open, and to where the AT&T National will head to next season. Ranking second in difficulty on the PGA Tour of all the par 70 courses, the tournament goes over just above 7,200 yards. This is a real test for the players, a test of control, ability and being able to produce top iron work. Here is our PGA Tour AT&T golf betting preview:

Nick Watney: 14/1 at Bet365

Watney, who already has one title under his belt, and deservedly so for the season, is the front runner in your AT&T National PGA Golf Betting this week. Had a very quiet week last time out at Travelers, but just look back over his season and you can see why he is being tipped. Last year’s performance at Aronimink as well should give punters good reason to back him, because he landed a T7 finish, so should be able to build on that. There are tight fairways here to deal with, but Watney’s consistency in hitting the fairways and the greens should see him in strong form. Watney is T13 in green hit on the PGA Tour this year. What will also work in his favour, is his bogey avoidance That is the big aspect which really should put him near the top of the leader board, hitting those small greens at Aronimink.

Ryan Moore: 19/1 at Unibet

UP here in contention after his great showing at Travelers last weekend, and coupled with his second place finish at Aronimink in the AT&T National then he makes a strong bet. Carry form and history on the course, so that makes a very attractive bet on Moore. Can he carry on the momentum from his second place at Travelers? His consistency and form would suggest that he could, but there were chances to win there, so he does need to get over that. It will either inspire him or make him hesitant here. You just can’t argue with his stats when you line him up with the course. His was the second best in putting at last year’s event and second in birdies. Strong bet.

Hunter Mahan: 20/1 at BetFred

Always going to be a threat, but until he really starts winning with the consistency at which he plays, then he is something of a loose cannon in your PGA Tour golf betting. Has a great game of course, and whenever he goes into a tournament, he is always mentioned as a potential threat. Just needs to put it all together for a confidence boosting win and stop coming close. He deserves more of those wins.

Bo VanPelt: 25/1 at Bet365

In decent shape to attack the course this year. He put in a T11 finish at Aronimink last season, so something to build on. Striking the ball well at the moment, but does show little glimpses of concentration lapses. Still, carrying a strong all round game, and his good seventh ranking in hitting greens in regulation means that his game should translate well. The greens at tight here, and VanPelt will probably go well in hitting them.

Webb Simpson: 29/1 at Unibet

All of the names on the list here you will expect more wins to come from. Simpson went pretty well at Travelers last weekend, in fact he put in four sub 70 rounds, so is playing well. He has been close to picking up titles this year, having finish second twice over the course of the season. Had a great top fifteen finish at Congressional in the US Open as well so is in great nick. Can he get over that threshold though? Well, for the price he makes a pretty strong case for backing here. Has been in the top 25 in seven of his last eight starts, and has now put together a run of three top fifteen finishes. The all round game Simpson possess (in which he leads) should put him in strong contention here.

Justin Rose: 39/1 at Unibet

The defending champion has had a solid, if understated on Tour this year. He really tamed the course here last year, and his second round of 64 was a pretty startling affair. http://www.online-betting.me.uk/links/, but one aspect of his game, his short work, should go well on the tight fairways. Twelve months ago, Rose would have been near the top of this list as he was in the form of his life when he picked up two titles.

Jeff Overton: 60/1 at Bet365

Our pick for the man to come good. Overton has a great all round game and is pretty dependable, although his 2011 has not quite lived up to expectations. But you can scan back to last year as well for Overton and he nailed a solo third place finish. That was after four rounds below 70 so he likes the course. Has the control to negotiate his way around without much trouble, and could be a great outside bet.

JB Holmes: 45/1 at Bet365

Landed a good fifth place finish at Aronimink last season, and ranked very well in driving distance and in greens hit. So that should put him in a strong position again. It is a pretty competitive field to pick from, so if he displays some of the aggressive confidence he drove with last year here, he could be a serious contender.

Mathematically. Wow, that’s a big word with which to start an article. I suspect it’s a personal best. Sorry, where was I? Oh,yes! Mathematically, only three men can prevent Rory McIlroy from winning the European Order Of Merit on the new Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai this week. The 20-year-old is in pole position to win the Race To Dubai, as the Order Of Merit has been re-branded, following a second to Frenchman Gregory Bourdy at the Hong Kong Open in Fanling, overtaking Lee Westwood, who had a bit of a nightmare in the former colony. Also suffering disappointment last week was Geoff Ogilvy, who failed to make an impact at the JBWere Masters in his native Australia so, with Paul Casey ruled out with injury, that leaves only Westwood, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Ross Fisher (who did us a massive favour in the World Matchplay) as potential challengers to McIlroy‘s claims to be European number one. The young Ulsterman, in only his second season on the European Tour, is a general 1-2 to collect enough prize money to ensure he finishes ahead of the bunch and a general 9-1 to end the year on a high by winning the Dubai World Championship itself. But nerves are surely going to play a part here. Westwood (a general 16-1) is vastly more experienced and, though his form has tailed off a little in recent weeks, he’ll be trying to exert maximum pressure on McIlroy with the big four, in the opening rounds at least, set to be out on the course at the same time. Kaymer must be cursing the fact (I nearly wrote kicking himself) that he missed two months of the season having broken toes in a karting accident but a win in Dubai, for which he is a general 14-1 chance, would still guarantee him top spot and his fate is still in his own hands, unlike Fisher (a general 20-1) who could still miss out if McIlroy or Westwood were to finish in the frame. And of course, there are almost 60 of the world’s best players out to spoil the party. Ernie Els has a fantastic record in Dubai and is back in form. At a general 16-1 he might be worth a saver, while Padraig Harrington is reported to have been thoroughly refreshed by a family holiday and will have some takers at a general 18-1. Trying to end the year with a bang, though, this columnist will be relying on Justin Rose. The Englishman has had a bit of an up and down season, dividing his time between Europe and America, but has been in a rich vein of form over the last eight weeks, recording under par 72-hole scores in every tournament he’s contested in that time, including a 17 under to tie for fourth place in last week’s Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Florida. Rose is another who likes the desert (he was second in the Dubai Desert Classic back in February) so I’ll be having an interest at 30-1 with boylesports.

Did you know there are three bridges on the Augusta National course home, of course, of The Masters? One is named after Ben Hogan, one Byron Nelson and one Gene Sarazen. Maybe they should consider naming something permanent after Gary Player, who is making his 52nd appearance at The Masters this year, two more than the legendary Arnold Palmer. The veteran South African can boast 15 top ten finishes in the year’s first Major but that’s still seven less than Jack Nicklaus. I must admit that the only time I’ve encountered a bridge on a golf course it led to a windmill which steadfastly refused to allow my ball through so I could make the clown’s nose light up – but that’s a story for another day. The darling of the Augusta crowd nowadays is, of course, Tiger Woods. Already a winner four times, the 33-year-old has returned from serious knee surgery as good as ever judged on his win in last month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational Tournament at Bay Hill. This is Woods‘first Major since he pushed Rocco Mediate all the way in last year’s US Open on virtually one leg and he’ll be keen to impress. But it must be remembered that Tiger has had to settle for place money on three occasions since beating Chris DeMarco in a sudden-death play-off in 2005 so you must make your mind up whether sportingbet and betdaq‘s 9-4 represents value. I’d prefer to look at a few of the alternative markets. For example, how about an interest in Justin Rose to finish the top European? The Briton’s best-ever finish in a Major remains his debut fourth in the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale but he has a fantastic qualifying record at Augusta, He led at the halfway stage in 2004 and tied at the end of the opening round in 2007 and again last year with eventual winner Trevor Immelman, only to fade away disappointingly after. Rose is very selective in the tournaments he plays nowadays, which means he arrives at Augusta relatively fresh so the 12-1 in this section with Paddy Power and William Hill is certainly worth a second look.