Category: Golf

The US Masters 2015 – Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

 

The first golf major of the year gets underway at the Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, as The US Masters 2015 tees-off.

The Contenders

Rory McIlory – 6/1 at bet365, Ladbrokes and William Hill

Undoubtedly the man to look out for at Augusta is Rory McIlory. The Northern Irishman is the best player in the game at the moment, having won four of his last 16 majors. But the Green Jacket has thus far evaded the world number one – who is terrifyingly still only 25. It seems certain that he certainly will take The Masters one day, but will it be 2015?

McIlory has made six previous attempts at The Masters, with his last being a forgettable eight place. Each visit to Augusta has provided some valuable lessons for him though, in particular the spectacular meltdown he endured in 2011. Regardless of the previous lack of success for him here though, he seems almost perfectly suited to performing at this most iconic of venues.

Jordan Spieth – 11/1 at bet365 and Stan James

A joint runner-up here last year, Spieth admits he has “learned” from last year’s tournament having led by two strokes after seven holes on his final round.

There won’t be a hungrier player at Augusta this year, but does the promising 21-year-old from Texas have what it takes to win his first major here?

Bubba Watson – 12/1 at Boylesports and Stan James

Not since Tiger Woods in 2002, has anyone won back-to-back Masters titles, but that is what Bubba Watson has been tasked with here. Indeed, if he manages to do so, Watson would join an elite selection of players to have achieved the feat, the others being Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus – not bad company to be amongst.

Can the 2012 and 2014 champion get a third title?

Jason Day – 14/1 at bet365, BetVictor and Ladbrokes

A snip at 14/1, Jason Day should provide excellent value for potential backers.

The Australian has been on red-hot form this year, and like McIlory – if not more – his style is very much suited to the Augusta course.

Day leads the way in the tour when it comes to par-four scoring average and also bodes well on par-fives, while his other statistics stack up to – making him what should be a very serious contender here.

Adam Scott – 22/1 at Betfred or Paddy Power

Priced at 22/1, Scott provides outstanding value for The Masters, having produced some of the most consistent performances at Augusta over the past five years. Indeed, as well as winning the tournament in 2013, the Australian hasn’t finished any lower than 18th in that time, while also securing respectable second and eighth placed finishes. Definitely worth looking at in the e/w market.

Tiger Woods – 33/1 at Betfred or 888sport

Seeing Tiger Woods at 33/1 seems almost unthinkable. But it’s been nearly seven years since he last landed a major and that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon based on recent form.

That said, he could well be worth a cheeky e/w punt.

Top Tip: Jason Day to win – 14/1 at bet365, BetVictor and Ladbrokes

PGA Tour: Valero Texas Open Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Just two stops to go on the Texas Swing before the world stopping Masters at Augusta, therefore just two more opportunities for those who haven’t qualified already to do so.  Marc Warren and Harris English are two players on the bubble who will be worth a watch this week as they attempt to break into the Top 50.

Additionally, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Dustin Johnson head a field featuring 13 of the world’s top 30 ranked golfers.  Plenty of reasons to watch live golf and flick through our Valero Texas Open Preview below:

The Course

The unlikely pair of Greg Norman and Sergio Garcia got together to design the TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks) course situated in Texas Hill Country, and crafted a 7,435 yards, par 72 test of driving ability.  Narrow fairways, deep bunkers and unplayable vegetation areas make the course incredibly challenging (Kevin Na once made a 16 on the 9th), and that looks set to continue during the 2015 edition.

Plenty of locals get the chance to play on familiar surrounds.  Ryan Palmer, Jimmy Walker and Jordan Spieth are all born and bred nearby and should be factors in home soil.

The Sound Bites

“This week off does also have the benefit of allowing me to stay up late and watch South Africa in the Cricket World Cup tonight, taking place in New Zealand. Not everyone will understand the allure of cricket but those who do will understand how exciting this game will be” – Ernie Eels talks about an event we’ve featured heavily on Betcirca.

“Given how I’ve been playing, I guess if you go on form, then probably no” – Rory McIlroy gave a frank assessment of his Masters chances.  In 10 rounds over three tournaments in the US in 2015, he’s only had one sub-70 score.

The Defending Champion

Unheralded Australian Steven Bowditch was the benefactor of a difficult scoring week last year when he hoisted the Valero Texas Open trophy.  Opening rounds of 69-67-68 were enough to atone for a disappointing closing 76; Bowditch winning by a solitary shot with the worst final round in a win since 2004.  Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays were tied for second.

The Contenders*

Jordan Spieth – $9.00

Dustin Johnson – $11.00

Matt Kuchar – $23.00

Ryan Palmer– $31.00

Harris English – $41.00

Charley Hoffman – $51.00

*Valero Texas Open odds available at Sportsbet.

The Winner

Spieth has five top-10 finishes (including two wins) in his last seven events and he ranks first in putts per round, he’s so tough to look past; Palmer has six top 25s this season and is an excellent driver of the ball which is key around TPC San Antonio; Hoffman has made all six of his cuts here with a worst result of T13; Johnson was in sublime form before a two week break winning the WGC Cadillac and recording two other top 5’s; Kuch makes the grade after tying for 4th here last year.  Even with Spieths pull we’re going Harris English – he’s just outside automatic Masters qualification at 52nd in the World Golf Rankings so we’re tipping him to make a play for the top 50 and win in Texas.

PGA Tour: Arnold Palmer Invitational Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Arnold Palmer is set to smack the first drive at August in just 19 days.  And it’s certain that he won’t hit it as far, or as well as he did throughout most of his career.  A distinguished career of  95 career wins saw Palmer etched in history as one of the true greats of the game, however at 85, he isn’t expected to bomb one down the middle at Augusta (despite probably having more flexibility in his back than Tiger does).

Putting his Augusta thoughts to the side temporarily, Palmer hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in this week’s PGA Tour action.  The field features Rory McIlroy’s first visits; satisfying a promise to Arnold Palmer to make an appearance at the tournament.  Henrik Stenson, returns to the fold after we narrowly missed on our tip on hime last week, and Adam Scott are the other notables in a relatively strong field.  Most players looking for some momentum in the lead up to the Masters,

The Course

Bay Hill Club & Lodge is one of the better known courses used on the PGA Tour Schedule.  Known as Bay Hill or simply “Arnie’s Place” (after owner Arnold Palmer) the 7,419 yard, par 72 course, offers one of the best challengers in Florida.  Plenty of water surrounds the 18 holes, none more so than the closing three holes, which have produced many an exciting finish.

The Sound Bites

“It’s important to play well here, to get into contention and just feel what it’s like, final event going into Augusta, just feeling something on the last day and the back nine in contention, having a chance to win all that stuff” – Rory McIlroy spoke about his Bay Hill debut.

“Regain the confidence he had when he was starting out and that was what made him what he is and that’s the way he’ll get it back, just regain the confidence and the ability to hit the golf ball” – Tournament host had some advice for Tiger; Rory didn’t need any.

The Defending Champion

Matt Every surprised everyone in the field, and himself, when he outlasted Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley last year to lift his first PGA Tour trophy.  It was Adam Scott’s tournament to lose after an opening 62 gave him a whopping seven shot lead after 36 holes.  He gave it up though, with a closing 76, allowing Every to sneak past a fast finishing Bradley who narrowly missed forcing a playoff when a birdie try slid past on 18.  Every is unlikely to go back to back given he’s currently 160th in the FedEx Cup standings.  If you do fancy a rough though, he’s at $200 to win.

The Contenders*

Rory McIlroy – $6.80

Henrik Stenson – $10.00

Adam Scott – $20.00

Billy Horschel – $90.00

Gary Woodland – $95.00

*Arnold Palmer International odds courtesy of Betfair Australia.

The Winner

Scott won’t play as badly as he did last week; McIlroy should always be in contention despite a sluggish start to his US season; Stenson has finished in the top 4 in all of his last four tournaments and must be close to a win; Horschel is slowly starting to get back to some form and likes Bay Hill; Not noted above but Harris English and Kegan Bradley also going well at the moment.  Hard to look past Scott and Stenson, but we’ll go Horschel.

PGA Tour: Valspar Championship Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Betcirca enjoyed a returned to tipping form last week when we successfully predicted DJ would clean up at Cadillac. While, Johnson is only the second winner we’ve picked all year, we’re proud because it should have been wrapped up by J.B Holmes.

Nevertheless, another week, another chance, and this week its the Valspar Championship in Florida.

Golf’s unofficial road to the Masters, the Florida Swing is in full…well, swing, and the Valspar Championship, much like Augusta will suit crisp ball strikers and creative short game exponents.

The Course

Innisbrook Resort (known as Copperhead) is unlike other stops on the swing.  It’s significantly tighter than most, and features plenty of undulation – a trait not always seen on Resort style courses.  Players who position the ball well of the tee, or alternatively, can shape it either way will flourish at Innisbrook, as the course features plenty of double dog legs.  It is 7,340 yards, par 71.

The Sound Bites

“I don’t mind taking a drug test at all. When I’m sitting out here Thursday and Friday thinking I’m going to get drug tested, holding my (urine) for two hours, it affects your golf game.” – The issue of drug testing has been swirling and John Daly is clearly irked.

“John Daly has never been targeted for testing and his claim that players know when they will be tested is simply not true” – The PGA Tour responded.

The Defending Champion

John Senden was one of six Australians to win on the PGA Tour last season.  He took out the Valspar Championship by a single shot over Kevin Na.  Interestingly, Na has been tipped heavily to feature again this year.  Sender roared into contention last year with a third round 64, for his first win anywhere in eight years.

The Contenders*

Adam Scott – $15.00

Jordan Spieth – $16.50

Henrik Stenson – $17.50

Justin Rose – $36.00

Ryan Moore – $44.00

Will MacKenzie – $130.00

*Valspa Championship odds courtesy of Betfair Australia.

The Winner

Adam Scott showed enough with the short putter last week to suggest he’ll still compete and this course suits ball-strikers; Spieth has bounced back from a missed cut with two top 10’s and a top 20 in his last three events;  Stenson enjoyed a T4 last week despite obvious rust; MacKenzie is the outsider after a strong week in Peurto Rico.  We like Stenson the most.

PGA Tour: WGC Cadillac Championship Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The exclusive World Golf Championship events limit the field to just the top 5o golfers in the World.  In prior years they could have gotten away with just inviting Tiger Woods.  He won 16 of the first 32 WGC events.  However, without Tiger, or even with Tiger in current form, the others are needed.  Especially when the others include Rory McIlroy.

The first WGC event of the year is the Cadillac Championship, hosted by Donal Trump, at Blue Monster, Doral.

Check out our preview of the event, and the best picks to win, below:

The Course

Trump Week on the Tour gets bigger with the WGC event at National Doral.   The gorgeous South Florida layout is a 7,528 yard, par 72 course, and is a recent recipient of a $200 million upgrade, as the Don adds to his golfing portfolio.  The upgrade has made the course incredibly challenging; it played 3rd toughest on the Tour last year.  The course is nicknamed “Monster” due to its demanding 18th hole.  Water all down the left off the tee and on approach.  Expect some big scores on 18 and generally.

The Sound Bites

“It’s not that big a deal. I did it for a long time, too, that way. I’m just going to do it and see what happens. I think the important thing for me will be to just stay patient with it for a little bit” – Adam Scott’s move to a shorter putter starts this week.

“If I was going to miss a weekend, it wasn’t a bad one to miss, being at home and with all the delays and everything” – Rory McIlroy saw a silver lining to missing the cut last week.  Punters didn’t.

The Defending Champion

Patrick Reed became the youngest winner of a WGC title last year by going coast to coast over Bubba Watson and Jamie Donaldson.  Reed managed a 4-under total on the newly designed course, the highest winning total since 1985.  Reed comes in at $26.00 to defend his title.

The Contenders*

Rory McIlroy – $6.50

Bubba Watson – $15.00

Jason Day – $17.00

Dustin Johnson – $21.00

Adam Scott – $23.00

Paul Casey – $34.00

Jamie Donaldson – $41.00

*WGC Cadillac Championship odds courtesy of Sportsbet.

The Winner

Casey’s had a third and a playoff loss in his last tow starts; Donaldson was a narrow loser here last year; Johnson was fourth here last year on the new course and had top 5’s the last two weeks; Watson has been solid all year without getting a win, he’s due. We like Johnson the best

PGA Tour: Puerto Rico Open Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The absence of the top echelon of world golf (competing for a bigger prize at the WGC Cadillac Championship) makes things interesting in the second of two tournaments on the PGA Tour this week.  The second tier Puerto Rico Open still features nine past major winners, but it will be nigh on impossible to predict a winner.  We’ll give you the best chance, by showcasing the course; the defending champion; and the notables in the field.

Read more on our Puerto Rico Open Preview below:

The Course

Donald Trump is increasing turning to golf to build his investment empire and the Trump International GC in Puerto Rico is just one of many golfing properties the magnate has an interest in.  It’s a 7,506 yards par 72, designed by Tom Kite, and built into lush rainforests.  The Course has been a stop on the PGA Tour itinerary since 2008.

The Sound Bite

“Chesson Headley” – The name etched on the plate of the defending champion at the Puerto Rico Open wasn’t quite right.  Not the sort of love a defending champion would expect.

The Defending Champion

Hadley (not Headley) took out the tile last year by two shots form New Zealander Danny Lee.  It was only Hadley’s 13th PGA Tour event, not that you would know that from his closing 67 to set a tournament scoring record.  He’s back to defend his title, but has made just one cut in his past five events.

The Contenders*

Vaughn Taylor– $29.00

Chesson Hadley – $29.00

Ryo Ishikawa – $34.00

Adam Hadwin – $34.00

Zac Blair – $41.00

Steven Alker – $251.00

*Puerto Rico Open odds courtesy of Sportsbet.

The Winner

Taylor is a lot of peoples favourite because he’s been in the top 25 in last five starts across two tours. He’s also 3-for-3 made cuts at the Puerto Rico Open, including a T14 in 2013.  Ishikawa is 3-for-3 too, but wildly inconsistent this year.  Anyone’s guess to be honest and it takes an absolute addict to be gambling on this event anyway.  Nonetheless, we’ll go Hadwin (or Svoboda)

As an aside, the past major winners lining up are: John Daly, David Duval, Trevor Immelman, David Toms, Mark Calcavecchia, Ben Curtis, Todd Hamilton, Y.E. Yang and Lee Janzen.