uspga tour golf

Naturally with such large fields taking to the course, picking an outright winner is tough. The USA PGA Championship has had its fair share of new winners over the past few years, and that makes it even harder to predict. With the golf world still waiting for the real Tiger Woods to stand up again since returning to action, there is so much parity on the PGA Tour at the moment, it’s hard to stamp your authority over a firm outright golf bet these days. Out of 35 Tour events played this year, there have been thirty different triumphant golfers, which highlights how even things are at the moment, and how hard it is to pick an outright favourite. As the USPGA Championships return to Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, the field is just as tough to pick from, as are avoiding the estimated 1200 bunkers on the course over its 7507 yards. The 92nd USPGA Championships is the final Major of the season, and there is a lot to play for, with first major title hopes abound, not to mention coveted 2010 Ryder Cup places.

Here we try and narrow the field by looking at some of the best bets on the course, and you can track our coverage over the course of the tournament.

Phil Mickelson: 14/1 at Ladbrokes
Yet another chance to become the World’s number one golfer, as has been said many times over the last week or so. Simply winning the USPGA Championships, which would be for the second time in Mickelson’s career, would be enough to break the record stay of Tiger Woods as world number one. There are other scenarios in which he could still claim world number one, even finishing down in fourth. Mickelson admitted that he was being treated for arthritis, and that perhaps could account for some of his inconsistency. He had a horrible day last Sunday where he shot an 8-over par round on the final day at Firestone. He is much better than that of course and he has proven he has what it takes to be top of the world. Why he makes a good bet is because he is one of the best around at the moment when he is fully into his swing, and having won his share of Masters, he’s no stranger to the big occasion. He goes as tournament favourite.

Tiger Woods 18/1 at SportingBet
Nothing is going right for Woods at the moment. Since his return from self imposed exile, the golf legend has been setting new records for himself, albeit negative ones with some very un-Tiger Woods-like scoring. While practicing for the last Major of the 2010 season, swing coach Sean Foley (who is not Woods’ coach) was seen helping him out and video-taping his swing for him. Whether this was just some friendly advice or Tiger really is concerned about his swing we’ll never know, but Woods isn’t the world beater that everyone knows him as. The largest factor against him seems to actually be his mentality. You could put him up on a pedestal along with the likes of tennis star Roger  Federer in terms of hunger, confidence and desire to win, but Woods is admitting that he’s not surprised by his poor form. So why does he make a good bet? The USPGA Masters has been won four times before by Woods, and in a season in which there have been many surprises, perhaps the biggest one is yet to come. This is almost like backing a dark horse at the moment, betting on Tiger Woods, but don’t discount him out of the picture totally.

Rory McIlory: 18/1 at Bet365
Same odds as  Woods, but probably should be shorter. McIlory can pull of magnificent rounds of golf to leave the rest of the field reeling. Hasn’t quite been able to put the whole picture together since his torrid second round at the 2010 British Open at St Andrews, but is more than capable of pulling a big one of the bag at Whistling Straits. There is not a more confidence player than the Northern Irishman on the tour, and while he is relatively inexperienced alongside the likes of Mickelson and Woods, you would never know it looking at him. Had a solid top ten finish at the Firestone Invitational last week and for such a young man to finish T3 on his USPGA Championship debut last year, this is the sort of tournament which he should be stretching his legs. Could have done better at the big events this year, but you get the feeling that every time he steps out onto the course he is pushing himself forwards. Brave and inventive player, but has the guts and great play in the wind (which may well come into effect at Whistling Straits) to knock this one out of the park.

Steve Stricker: 25/1 at Bet365
The world number four is coming into form again just at the  right time for the USPGA Championship. After hitting two top ten finishes in his last three outings, Stricker, who has won two titles this year on the Tour, is looking in good shape to seriously make a challenge here. He just looks as if he is warming up to the big one, and it could just be in Wisconsin, which is his home state. He’ll have the support of the crowd behind him, and that could mean all the difference of a few extra yards on his drive, or getting the rub of the green. His is ranked second in FedExCup points, and that is a mark of just how good a season he is having. Hasn’t really made an impact in any of the other three Majors this year, but that home turf could just swing things in his favour, especially with a very good pedigree in play-off golf should it come down to it. If he wins at Whistling Straits, and Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson finish low enough down the field, then Steve Stricker could be ranked World Number one on Sunday.

Jeff Overton:  55/1 at Bet365
Quite how this guy hasn’t won himself a title this year is something of a mystery. He is ranked sixth in the list for FedExCup points and he has a genuine shot of winning the FedExCup title if he keeps up his impressively consistent golf form. He is also second in the list of prize money winners this year on the PGA Tour and holding on to what would be a first Ryder Cup spot. He is worth a bet here, simply because of the great form which he has been taking out onto the course time and time against since April. Overton has nailed plenty of top six finishes this year, with all of them being put on the board over just the last three months. He is a strongly improved player and looking very comfortable out there in driving and his approach play. Hasn’t had the full Major experience this year, as the only one he took part in was the British Open at St Andrews.

Henrick Stenson: 125/1 at Paddy Power
The Swede is worth bet at Whistling Straits USPGA Championship simply because of a decent track record at the event. Although he will be making his debut at the Wisconsin course, in the past two years of the USPGA Championship Stenson has had a four place and a six place finish. That is pretty good consistency at a Major, and the World 26 probably makes for one of those very interesting outside bets. A real long shot, but because of his impressive record over the past couple of years at the event, he will be worth a stab in the dark.

Matt Kuchar: 55/1 at BetFred
You can put Kuchar in the same kind of grouping as Overton when looking at golf betting at the moment. Like Overton he is still looking for his first PGA Tour win for 2010, but consistently shoots his way in the top ten. He has holed out eight top ten finishes in total this year, which is a pretty good return. In terms of USPGA golf betting, he is a wildcard as he doesn’t have great history at the event. In fact he’s missed the cut on each of last three attempts at the Major. It’s not enough to count him out of the running completely, simply because of his great consistent form. With the USPGA Championships having been a launching pad for first time Major winners, he or Overton could really be in the picture come the last eighteen holes on Sunday.

Ernie Els: 33/1 at BetFred
Why not? He should be in the mix as one of the more experienced and talented players on the Tour. Has had a good build up to the Major, even though there was a major spanner in the works of his final round at Firestone on the weekend, much like McIlroy. He can be forgiven for the odds lapse, but like McIlory, has the stick-ability needed to win the Major titles. He makes a sensible, safe bet as he should be in the mix come Sunday’s final day.

Padraig Harrington: 20/1 at Bet365
The Irishman has slowly been improving all season long, and if anyone is due a win for all the hard work and dedication he puts into the game, then it is Harrington. Hasn’t picked up a title for a couple of years now, and he would make a popular victory. While Harrington has all the potential to win, this is more of a bet with the heart instead of a head decision. You just want him to go out there and do well.

Jim Furyk: 40/1 at Ladbrokes
You won’t see his name on the betting list of golf tips too often here, but this is a tournament in which he could shine again. Has picked up two titles this year on the PGA Tour and the reason that he is worth a punt here is that he has been playing his way into form again. Over the last fortnight, he has put two top ten finishes in the bag. Does he have enough in the legs to land the big one at Whistling Straits? Maybe in this season of parity, he could well do it, and land himself the Player of the Year award. A long shot, even though he is ranked 3rd in the FedExCup ranking, but perhaps worth a punt here because of the momentum he will carry into it.

PGA Tour Bridgestone International golf betting. Come Sunday, Tiger Woods could no longer be called the World’s Number One Golfer, after a poor first round at one of his favourite courses. Woods has won the Bridgestone International in Ohio seven times in his career, and teed off on Thursday as the defending champion. But Woods hit his highest ever round at the event in all his goes, scoring a four over par 74, leaving him down in 70th place at the end of day one. England’s Lee Westwood, who along with Phil Mickelson are the two players who could usurp Woods’ number one position with a good weekend, failed to impress as well as he finished one over par for the opening day. American Mickelson had a much better day though, as he played a solid round with a new driver to get himself into a strong early position. The course is an enduring par 70, and one of the longest on the PGA Tour outside of the Majors, and so long accurate driving comes into play. This is one of the toughest courses out there in terms of hitting the green in regulation and makes for a fascinating and highly sought after title. He we take a look at some of the best bets on the leader board for the PGA Tour Bridgestone International golf betting at the close of day one.

Bubba Watson – 14/1 at William Hill
-6 Under
Is a surprise leader, but is having a good year so far. He has picked up one victory on the Tour this year, winning at the Travelers Championship. He has also nailed himself a second place, coming at the Bob Hope Classic, and a third at the Transitions Championship. Having also picked up three other top ten finishes, he is up to 52nd in the Official World Golf Rankings, cutting his position from last season in half. Standing at 13th in the FedExCup standings, he has a good chance of winning her if he backs up his solid first round. What’s serving him well is his high GIR record for this season, and that is something which is needed on this course in particular. This is his first World Golf Championship event and after taking some time away from the game, he is looking fresh. The only question will be over his big match endurance, but in with a very good shout. His bogey on the 15th was his only blemish of the day.

Phil Mickelson – 10/3 at Totesport
-4 Under
His consistency was below par coming into this tournament, and his driving has been letting him down a bit, even though his is generally playing well this season. He can take over from Woods as World Number One finally on Sunday if he keeps up his early pace. He is always near the top of betting when golf odds come out, and after going out with a new, shorter driver he looked to have a better grip of his driving swing. He went into St Andrews trying to hit the ball harder than usual and he ended up losing more accuracy. The new club has helped him by the look of things, and he is swinging naturally instead of forcing the play. Looks comfortable and handled things much better than either Woods or Westwood. If he gets that driving part of his game right, he should win, even though he has a poor record at the event. He was five under going out on the front nine, but pulled off two back to back bogeys on the 14th and 15th which spoiled his round a bit. After a strong first round, he will now draw a lot more golf betting and is well worth a punt.

Adam Scott – 12/1 at Bet365
-4 Under
The Aussie also had a strong front nine, and was four under after ten holes and that was how he stayed until the club house. Scott was playing very on day one, and could have been further ahead if he could have got his putting going for him. Won in Texas earlier in the year, for his fourth PGA Tour title, but his form has dipped a little bit from there. Strong first round, but will he have the legs to go all of the way? It’s unlikely considering the class in the field, and has failed to make the cut in two of his last four tournaments.

Graeme McDowell – 13/1 at ExtraBet
-4 Under
The Northern Irishman was looking nothing but average going round for the day, but finished with a real flourish to play his way into contention. With just one birdie and one bogey after completing the fourteenth hole, the US Open winner suddenly burst into life, hitting four birdies in a row to finish four under for the day. He has been playing quite consistently since winning at Pebble Beach, and has handled the pressure of being a Major winner quite well. He had a better day in terms of technical golf than what his final score fully represents, and now the focus has been off him a bit, he looks relaxed. He’s switched to a longer driver and he handled it well, maintaining his accuracy. If he matches his first round in the second then he will be well worth backing come the weekend. Looking in particularly good shape.

Jeff Overton – 33/1 at Paddy Power
-3 Under
Worth looking at in golf betting here. Had a good week last week, finishing second at Greenbrier, but he was top in that field for making birdies. A good top twenty stats player and going well at the moment. Hit five birdies in the first round, but he will be disappointed with his two bogeys which put him back. Still well in contention though and is a dangerous threat to the rest of the field. He will have gained a lot of confidence from the performance down the back nine. Keep an eye on him.

Rory McIlroy – 16/1 at SportingBet
-2 Under
Will be fairly pleased with his first round, and, usually being a strong starter, found himself four under after ten holes. He then dropped two shots over the next three holes to put him back, but he held par then until the end. He will still be fairly confident of pushing on from here from his -2 Under and worth a bet. McIlroy is going to win tournaments, and is growing as a player all of the time. Good odds for him, and worth a shot as the course should suit him over the four days.

Steve Stricker – 20/1 at Bet365
-2 Under
May have one eye on next week’s US Championships, which are being held in his home state. Finished tied for sixth last year here, and has enjoyed a good year with two titles and riding high in the states, especially with his putting. Good all round performer and will be looking for confidence ahead of next week. Can be considered an in form player, but couldn’t quite back up his strong start to the round, finishing just -2 under.

Paul Casey – 25/1 at SkyBet
-2 Under
Has had good runs at the Bridgestone International before, where he has had five top twenty finishes at the tournament. He has also really risen to the occasion at the World Golf Championship events this year, racking up one second place finished and a sixth place finish. Good outside bet if he moves up a little higher at the end of day two. Consistent and sharp.

Luke Donald – 50/1 at Bet365
Even
Has been in excellent form this year, and played well recently at the RBC Canadian Open. Second best European player on the Tour and standing at number seven in the world. Needs to play catch up a little bit, but has the potential to do so.

Tiger Woods – 33/1 at Bet365
-4 Under
Why not? He has pretty much made this tournament his own over the years, and while it looks as if he will still be left wanting in terms of looking for his first title of the year, he is Tiger Woods. Can he pull off something miraculous here? Way, way back down the field, ten shots of the lead, even that should be too much for him, but he is a decent price to turn things around, however unlikely it is.

August 05-08 Bridgestone International Golf Odds: Tiger Woods will tee off again this week on the PGA Tour, as he takes part in the World Golf Championships at the Bridgestone Invitational at the Firestone CC in Ohio. Woods will reenter the tournament as the defending champion, and he has pretty much made the tournament his own. With the US Championships and the Ryder Cup coming up soon, this is an important time in golf and golf betting, and this is another tournament where the world’s best will all be gunning for glory. Here we will cast an eye over the front runners in golf betting for the Firestone tournament, offering previews and tips.

Tiger Woods: 9/2 at Totesport
Woods is slowly gaining momentum in his return to the PGA since his self imposed exclusion at the beginning of the year. You won’t hear such stats as Woods is without a win in seven tournaments this year, but surely he has to come good at some point, and online bookmakers instantly put him at the top of golf betting as soon as he is confirmed for any tournament. While he finished T23 at The Open at St Andrews in his last outing, Firestone is one of the venues which he likes. Woods has won seven times at Firestone during his illustrious career, and that stat alone is enough to instill him as favourite. Last year’s final round was a classic, with Woods having to come from behind to overtake Padraig Harrington and Robert Allenby, and eventually ran out winner by four shots. For Woods, who has never finished outside of the top four at this event, could well end his wait for a 2010 win here. The course is one of the favourites that Woods likes playing on, as it has turned out to be a pretty good pay day for him in the past. Woods has more than his losing streak to be concerned about at Firestone this week, his status as World Number One is also under threat again, this time with two players in with a chance of taking his crown. Either Phil Mickelson or Lee Westwood could now steal away the number one spot from him. Woods has also been pushed out of the top American players on the Tour this year, which kicks him out of an automatic spot for the Ryder Cup, thanks to Jeff Overton’s second place at last week’s Greenbrier Classic. If Woods ever needed firing up for one of his great performances, then it will be here.

Phil Mickelson: 13/1 at Blue Square
American Mickelson has had a couple of chances to wrestle the world number one spot away from Tiger Woods this season, most recently at the Scottish Open, but he has choked on both occasions. With less than a great performance at The Open, the big left hander needs to bounce back quickly. Mickelson won the Masters this year, and finished second at the Quail Hollow Championship. He is scoring pretty consistently this season, and has nailed five top ten finishes out of his 14 events this year. The only cut he has missed was the Scottish Open when he had the chance to become World Number one. You can look at the stats on Mickelson and see that he is above average in most things. The only place where maybe he could pick his game up, is in his driving accuracy where his well below the PGA Tour average. Still one of the modern greats out there and should be fired up with a third chance to get the better of Woods in the standings, and to put The Open behind him.

Lee Westwood: 14/1 at Bet365
Having never own a major, Westwood is almost becoming known as the nearly man, and after finishing in second place in both The Open and The Masters this year, the Englishman is on top of his game and should be a strong contender. He, for the first time has the chance to claim number one spot in the world and if he can do so, then it will be the first time since 1994 that a European player has been World Number one. Westwood ironically could do it with a second place finish, but if wins at Firestone, the only way that Woods will hold on to his top spot will be by coming in second place to Westwood. Westwood has been playing some excellent golf this year, as expected from one of the top players in the PGA. Like Mickelson, he will have his hands full in chasing down Tiger Woods on one of his favourite courses. Westwood hasn’t picked up a tour win this year, but you can expect him to be in the running come the final round. To make this more interesting, Woods and Westwood have been paired together for the first two rounds.

Rory McIlroy: 24/1 at BetFair
The Northern Irishman has been strongly tipped to win the last two tournaments he has entered, The Open and the Irish Open, but has fallen short. McIlroy is one of the most exciting young talents in the game, and has bags of potential. He was undone by one poor round at The Open, but it will have taught him a lesson in self control. McIlroy won the Quail Hollow Championship this year, and came in tied for third at St Andrews in the British Open. He is playing well and his stats back that up. He really has the all round game to back strongly in golf betting, whichever tournament he enters. Has made 18 cuts out of 23 events played in this year, with 6 top ten finishes. He is a little bit maverick at times, but that is what makes him so exciting to watch and make him a truly great talent. Would not have any hesitation in backing him, because if anyone is really going to push the envelope and be brave in taking chances to catch Tiger Woods, then it will be McIlroy.

Padraig Harrington: 25/1 at Extrabet
High up in the betting list, but still needs to find that little bit of an extra gear to win here, one feels. He is a greatly consistent player to watch, but he just doesn’t get into the top three enough for his talents. His best finish this year was a third place at the World Golf Championships, but has four other top ten finishes for his year. He hasn’t won a title since 2008 and how he was playing in that year, he needs to rediscover to get a little closer to another title. Playing well, but just doesn’t quite have that ruthless cutting edge that will take him all the way. Consistent, but does he have the finishing power to win?

Steve Stricker: 30/1 at Bet365
With the American picking up two titles this year at the Northern Trust Open and the John Deere Classic, Stricker is enjoying a good season. Is scoring well with an average of 69.90 for the season, which should be able to put him in contention. After a strong start to the year, he hasn’t quite backed up his strong start, but with five top ten finishes this year he is a threat when he enters tournament, and has made thirteen out of thirteen cuts this year. He is standing in second place in the FedExCup standings this year because of his wins and consistency, and is sixth on the PGA Tour money list. Not one of the longer drivers, but a very accurate one, and when you add to that a good eye for putting, he’s should be a contender here to push for a top three finish. While he is out in the betting he could be a good sleeper bet to watch out for.

Luke Donald: 33/1 at Bwin
The Englishman is finding some good form at the moment, and is perhaps flying under the radar a bit. While the pressure will all be on the big three of Woods, Mickelson and Westwood, Donald is one of those understated players who could sneak in the back door. Has five top ten finishes this year, with one second placed finished and two thirds. His all-round game is looking pretty sharp at the moment, and a good couple of early rounds could be him in good standing. Scoring a good average of 70.43 at the moment, and his third place finish at the RBC Canadian Open recently could be a good stepping stone to produce a good tournament here.

USPGA and PGA European Golf Betting Preview: There is plenty of golfing action over the weekend, with plenty of interest coming from European players too. Of course, the big golfing headlines over the last week, has been the announcements (through really ill timed press conferences) about the return of Tiger Woods. Woods will make his first appearance on the golfing scene at the Masters in a few weeks. The prestigious Augusta tournament tees off on April 8th, and Woods is wondering what kind of reception he will get. It is getting on for six months since Woods last appeared on the tour, and after stepping away due to his admission of extra-marital goings-on, the superstar is ready for his come back. Since his announcement to come out of his mini-retirement, Woods has shot straight to the top of betting for the Masters Tournament, which will be covered in full here. Woods is 9/2 at BetFred to win the 76th US Masters and pick up the famed green jacket.

Current USPGA action comes takes shape with the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The course at Bay Hill has undergone a lot of changes recently, with work being done on the greens, the sand traps and even on the tees. The length of the course has been adjusted as well, stretching the par back out to a 72 instead of a 70 which is where it has been at for the last few years. The changes should make the course more playable for everyone, and not favour the big hitters any more. The aforementioned Tiger Woods is pretty much the king of Bay Hill, but as he’s not taking part this year, the door is open for others. Leading the pack of runners is Ernie Els, where he has won before. He is picking up in form, and his consistency makes him always good to follow in golf betting. Got off to a good start, and lies in joint third after the first round.

American Steve Stricker is having a good season also, and is another exponent of high consistency this season. Well worth backing, even though he is more of an outsider given his poor track record at Bay Hill. But will the changes bring out the best in his game? England’s Justin Rose seems to have found his rhythm with his stroke play, but is still looking for his first tour win. He could be a contender, but needs a top performance. Phil Mickelson however is a previous winner at Bay Hill and could keep the trend of recent tour winners being veterans, going. Decent outside shots are Nick Watney and Camilo Villegas, both who have the ideal all round games to stretch away at the top of the leader board. Other veteran Jim Furyk, who just won a tour title, could also play his way into contention.

Arnold Palmer Invitational Odds
Phil Mickelson: 8/1 at SportingBet
Ernie Els: 8/1 at Stan James
JB Holmes: 11/1 at Boylesports
Steve Stricker: 12/1 at Bet365
Henrik Stenson: 12/1 at Totesport
Mike Weir: 16/1 at Sporting Bet
Davis Love III: 28/1 at Totesport
Nick Watney: 55/1 at Bet365

The Adalucia Golf Open, which is where the European Tour is at right now, is being led by Paul Lawrie and Soren Kjeldsen. They both finished on par 65, which is one stroke ahead of a pack of seven other players with a whole mix of nationalities. It has been a long time since Paul Lawrie has been at the top, as it was eleven years ago that he won a Major title, the last Britain to do so, and his last tour title came in 2002. He is way down in the world rankings right now, but perhaps his experience will enable him to see this one through. Kjeldsen pulled out some remarkable putts to put himself in contention, and the Dane, who is the World 51, could use the huge confidence booster ahead of the Masters in a couple of weeks. Kjeldsen won last year’s Andalucia Open and in betting terms, that puts him out in front on betting leader board. A good bet to take note of is Louis Oosthuizen, who needs a victory to gain entry into the Masters at Augusta, so he will be motivated. The South Africa lies two shots off the lead after the first round.

Open de Andalucia Outright Odds
Soren Kjeldsen: 13/2 at William Hill
Louis Oosthuizen: 13/1 at SportingBet
Ignacio Garrido: 14/1 at 888Sport
Francesco Molinari: 16/1 at Bet365
Alvaro Quiros: 16/1 at SkyBet
Bradley Dredge: 16/1 at Bet365
Paul Lawrie: 22/1 at Paddy Power

Could Tiger Woods be back in action sooner than most people had anticipated? Whispered rumours from an Australian press, which won’t seem to burn out, is that Woods will return to Tour action on February 17th at the WGC Match Play Championship in Arizona. Since admitting his transgressions, Woods has shied himself away from the public, and away from the game he loves. He has gone through a rough time, with sponsors dropping him, leaving his career in a sand trap, forcing him to take a wedge of time away from the game.

One baffling thing about these rumours is that the Match Play event in Arizona is sponsored  by one the sponsors who unceremoniously dropped Woods as the face of their advertising campaign. Maybe his return there though would show that he has been humbled and it really is all about the golf for him upon his return. The WGC Match Play Championships, is a little different from everything else on the tour, in that it is a knock-out event, leading to a final. The top 64 players on the tour automatically qualify for this, and Woods, should he return, will have only missed one tournament that he would normally show up for. The longer he stays away, the more it could hamper his pursuit of the Majors.

But, golf goes on without Mr Woods, as displayed in the USPGA’s Northern Trust Open in California, and the European Tour out in the Dubai Desert Classic at the moment. In Dubai, Lee Westwood made a great charge towards the top of the leader board yesterday, carding a wonderful 65, but it still wasn’t quite enough to touch Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who hit a 66 in his second round to move one shot ahead of the pack on -8 under. Spain’s Ryder Cup star, Miguel Angel Jiminez is in contention, also on -7 under with Westwood and Wales’ Stephen Dodd. One of the upcoming new young stars on the tour, Northern Irelands Rory McIlroy, shared the lead after the first round, as he looks to defend his Dubai Crown. After two rounds, the 20 year old shares 5th place.

Dubai Desert Classic Outright Odds (Scores after second round in brackets)
Lee Westwood (-7) – 3/1 at Coral
Rory McIlroy (-6) – 9/2 at SkyBet
Thongchai Jaidee (-8) – 10/1 at Totesport
Charl Schwartz (-6) – 10/1 at Victor Chandler
Alvaro Quiros – 11/1 at William Hill

Over in the USPGA Tour, where the Northern Trust Open 2010 is underway, England’s Justin Rose is trying to hard to put himself on the golfing map again, as he shared 4th place after two rounds. Being played at the Riviera Country Club in California, it is Steve Stricker who is leading the way, along with Dustin Johnson, who made a hole-in-one in his second round. The weather on the course has not been great, with persistent and early darkness from heavy storm clouds causing delays in the game. Sticker and Johnson, under the conditions, look hard to catch after posting scores that have left them three shots clear of the nearest opponent. Johnson isn’t back in the clubhouse yet on his second round, thanks to the bad light, he still has two holes to play, so could still take the lead after two rounds.

Northern Trust Open Outright: Scores after second round in brackets:
Steve Stricker (-10)  – 13/8 at Stan James
Dustin Johnson (-10) – 11/4 at Paddy Power
Andreas Romero (-7) – 12/1 at Bet365
Phil Mickelson (-4) – 12/1 at Boylesports
Justin Rose (-6) – 22/1 at Bet365

The USPGA Tour’s Sony Open in Hawaii is at the third round stage as well, under less than ideal circumstances as well. Sure there is no Tiger Woods around at the moment to draw golfing headlines, but the spirits still look to be good around the USPGA Tour. There were smiles and commerarderie all round in Hawaii. It’s a big gusty out in Hawaii to say the least, and it is has been a show of persistence and determination for the players to get around the beautiful surroundings. Who wouldn’t want to be playing golf out in Hawaii in the middle of January, huh? Anyway, it is Steve Stricker who made an error free round of 67 to leave himself 7 under par, just two shots off the top of the leader board after two rounds. Discipline and focus is what is needed under these conditions, and that is what Stricker has produced, making him a good bet for the tournament. He is worth getting some money down upon, even it if is just to place.

But it is Ryan Palmer who lead at the end of day two, -9 under par, after posting rounds of 65 and 66 consecutively. His game should leave him in contention in the final round, but, as the only non-American in the top ten, Australian Robert Allenby could be the one to watch after looking steadier than ever with his putting. Sinking holes on the green is usually the side of the game which lets him down, but he has gained a marked improved in this tournament so far, and that side of his game alone has made him a real threat. Chad Campbell and Zach Johnson are just two shots off the lead, while joining Stricker on three back are Jeff Quinney and John Merrick (no, not that one) who all in close contention. The winds may not be as bad over the final couple of days and that could make the difference. Davis Love III and Tom Lehman are there or there abouts, as well as Argentina’s Angel Cabrera.

Sony Open Outright Winner
Zach Johnson (-8 under) – 9/2 at BetFred
Steve Stricker (-7 under) – 11/2 at SportingBet
Robert Allenby (-8 under) – 13/2 at Stan James
Chad Campbell (-8 under) – 8/1 at Totesport
Ryan Palmer (-9 under) – 12/1 at SkyBet