Monday, May 30, 2011

The Memorial: Betting Odds

World number one Luke Donald will try for his third victory of the season at The Memorial (Getty images / Warren Little) 

The Memorial, hosted by Jack Nicklaus, begins Thursday at Muirfield Village with a great field including defending champion Justin Rose. Luke Donald, new world number one and fresh off his win at the BMW PGA Championship last week enters as the tournament favorite. Several top Americans are in the field, including Mickelson, Kuchar, Watney, and Mahan as well as Keegan Bradley, who won his first PGA Tour event last week at the Byron Nelson.

Notable player betting odds:

Luke Donald: 9-1
Phil Mickelson: 12-1
Matt Kuchar: 18-1
Nick Watney: 18-1
Rory McILroy: 22-1
Hunter Mahan: 22-1
Steve Stricker: 22-1
KJ Choi: 25-1
Rickie Fowler: 33-1
Justin Rose: 33-1
Charl Schwarzel: 50-1
Keegan Bradley: 100-1
Camillo Villegas: 100-1
Mike Weir: 250-1
Todd Hamilton: 400-1

Luke Donald: By the Numbers at BMW PGA Championship


Luke Donald of England celebrates victory in a playoff on the 18th green at the Wentworth Club. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Luke Donald is the new number one player in the world after defeating Lee Westwood in a playoff to win the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club. At the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, Donald spun back his third shot with a wedge to eight feet, putting the pressure on Westwood. Not surprisingly, Westwood then spun his ball back into the water, which gave Donald the easy win.

“It doesn't get much better. I'm not sure if there will ever be a case where Number One and Number Two in the world are playing off for the tournament, but also a chance for the Number One ranking in the world. A unique history I think has been made, and glad to be a part of it.”

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Woods looking to U.S. Open despite crutches


Although currently wearing a protective boot and using crutches, Tiger Woods says he will be ready for the upcoming U.S. Open beginning June 17th at Congressional. It appears Woods will need another miraculous performance similar to the Open in 2008 if he wants to contend without any practice. At his current rate, he may only play the U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship the rest of the season if the injuries do not improve.

BMW PGA Championship: Betting Odds

The BMW PGA Championship opens Thursday at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England and will feature the top European players in the world.

Notable player betting odds from Bodog:

Luke Donald 7-1
Lee Westwood 9-1
Martin Kaymer 14-1
Rory McILroy 16-1
Graeme McDowell 20-1
Charl Schwartzel 20-1
Paul Casey 28-1
Ian Poulter 28-1
Matteo Mannasero 33-1
Ernie Els 40-1
Danny Lee 80-1
Michael Campbell 250-1

Byron Nelson Championship: Betting Odds

The HP Byron Nelson Championship begins Thursday with Jason Day as the defending champion.

Notable player betting odds from Bodog:

Nick Watney 14-1
Dustin Johnson 14-1
K.J. Choi 16-1
Jason Day 18-1
Matt Kuchar 20-1
Sergio Garcia 25-1
Sean O'Hair 33-1
Anthony Kim 50-1
Ricky Barnes 80-1
Vijay Singh 80-1
Alex Prugh 175-1

Sunday, May 22, 2011

David Toms: By the numbers at Colonial


David Toms won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial for his first win on tour since 2006. Highlights for the week for Toms including opening the tournament with consecutive rounds of 62 as well as his final round hole out eagle with a wedge on the 11th hole. With the win, he moves to 4th place in the Fed Ex Cup standings.

Scores: 62,62,74,67 (-15)
Fairways in regulation: 67.9% (T4)
Driving distance: 299.1 yards (28)
Greens in regulation: 72.2% (T4)
Sand saves: 55.6% (T43)
Putts per round: 27.3 (T9)
Total birdies: 20 (T2)
Prize Money: $1,116,000.00
Fed Ex Points: 500

Friday, May 20, 2011

Coming Soon: $500 Million Floating Golf Course



Plans are currently underway to bring a floating golf course to the islands of Maldives, located 250 miles off the southwest coast of India. The course will consist of a series of floating platforms that contain two to three holes each, built by world-renowned floating technology company Dutch Docklands.

Each platform will be connected to one another and surrounding hotels by clear underwater tunnels, similar to those you'd find at an aquarium.

The $500 million floating golf course is set to be completed in 2015 with the goal of bringing a wealth of ecological tourism and investment to the Maldives.

The course designer has not yet been named, but final candidates include Jacques Cousteau, Donald Trump, and the guys from Deadliest Catch.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Art of the Swing


In the hundreds of short game lessons top instructor Stan Utley has given to tour players and amateurs over the last several years, he noticed an interesting side benefit: when his students improve their putting and short game techniques, their overall game improves as well. Utley realized that the ideal swing motion for a putting stroke, chip, and pitch shot is integral to a good full swing.

The Art of the Swing introduces Utley's new instructional method that he uses to coach private clients to new levels of success in their game. The book utilizes technology to link online videos with readers via their phones, allowing golfers on-the-green instruction with Utley at the press of a button. No book has offered this combination of printed and video material, paired with a top golf instructor as Utley.

"Stan has a great knowledge of the short game and a wonderfully simple way of getting his message across." -Jay Haas

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

LPGA Sybase Match Play Championship set to go

The LPGA Sybase Match Play Championship begins Thursday at Hamilton Farm Golf Club with a field of 64, a prize purse of 1.5 million, and several of the world's top players, including Paula Creamer (above).

Volvo World Match Play to feature top ranked field

 
CASARES, SPAIN - MAY 17: (L-R) Back row: YE Yang of Korea; Noh Seung-yul of Korea; Retief Goosen of South Africa; Jhonnattan Vegas of Venzuela; Charl Schwartzel of South Africa; Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium; Ian Poulter of England; Alvaro Quiros of Spain; Martin Kaymer of Germany; Lee Westwood of England; Anders Hansen of Denmark; Paul Lawrie of Scotland: Aaron Baddeley of Australia; Ryan Moore of the USA; Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa; Front row: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland; Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland; Paul Casey of England; Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain; Ross Fisher of England; Johan Edfors of Sweden; Luke Donald of England; Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark; Francesco Molinari of Italy pose for a photograph at the Welcome Dinner prior to the start of the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin on May 17, 2011 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)


The Volvo World Match Play begins Thursday with the four reigning major champions, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, and Martin Kaymer, as well as defending champ Ross Fisher. The event features some excellent matches within the 24 player field. Luke Donald, current world number two, will look to win his second match play event of the year after winning the Accenture Match Play in dominating fashion earlier in 2011.

Crowne Plaza Invitational: Betting Odds

The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial begins Thursday in Ft. Worth, Texas. Zach Johnson (above) comes in as the defending champion while Hunter Mahan and Jason Day are the Bodog Betting Odd favorites to win.

Notable player betting odds include:

Hunter Mahan 18-1
Jason Day 18-1
Matt Kuchar 22-1
Zach Johnson 22-1
Adam Scott 25-1
David Toms 25-1
Lucas Glover 40-1
Rickie Fowler 40-1
Sean O'Hair 50-1
Anthony Kim 80-1

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Players Championship features good mix of pairings


The 2011 Players Championship features many interesting opening round pairings. Here is a look at some notables:

Martin Kaymer, Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar (Numbers 2,8,10 in world rankings)
Lucas Glover, Ernie Els, Paul Casey
Y.E Yang, Pat Perez, Bill Haas
Bubba Watson, Luke Donald, Mark Wilson (Numbers 1,2,3 in Fed Ex Cup)
Nick Watney, Rory Sabbatini, Jonathon Byrd (What? No Rory and O'Hair?)
Adam Scott, Tim Clark, Sergio Garcia (Three former winners of the event)
Phil Mickelson, Martin Laird, Gary Woodland (Three winners on Tour this year)
Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero, Alvaro Quiros
Jason Day, Anthony Kim, David Toms
Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell
Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker, Charl Schwartzel

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Seve Ballesteros: 1957 - 2011

Seve Ballesteros, member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and five time major winner, passed away Saturday due to brain cancer. Ballesteros was most known for his amazing short game, his creativity in getting out of trouble, and his fiery competitive spirit. He is regarded as the best Spanish golfer of all time and largely responsible for putting the European Tour on the map.

Before his death, he started the Seve Ballesteros Foundation with the goal of helping those with cancer fight the disease as well as cancer research.

Lucas Glover: By the Numbers at the Wells Fargo Championship


Lucas Glover celebrates his par saving putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship at the Quail Hollow Club on May 8, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Lucas Glover won the Wells Fargo Championship on the first playoff hole over Jonathon Byrd for his first win of the season and first win since the 2009 U.S. Open. He also became the first player in the tournament history to shoot all four rounds in the 60s.

Scores: 67,68,69,69 -15
Fairways in regulation: 46.4 (T49)
Driving distance: 303 (25)
Greens in regulation: 70.8 (T26)
Sand saves: 66.7% (T12)
Putts per round: 26.5 (3)
Total birdies: 22 (T3)
Prize Money: $1,170,000.00
Fed Ex Points: 500

Friday, May 6, 2011

"That's Turrible Kenny": Barkley breaks club on opening tee shot


In continuing his streak of "turrible golf", Charles Barkley broke his driver on his opening tee shot at a charity event at Shoal Creek. He also is the inventer of a new swing method which focuses on violent spasms in the back leg while preparing for impact.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Golf Betting Odds for the Wells Fargo Championship


The Wells Fargo Championship begins Thursday at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, NC with Rory McILroy as the defending champion. With Tiger Woods out with injury, Phil Mickelson enters the tournament as the betting odds favorite. Bubba Watson comes in as the Fed Ex Cup leader with two wins this season including last week at the Zurich Classic.

Here are some notable player betting odds from Bodog.

Phil Mickelson 11-1
Rory McILroy 12-1
Martin Kaymer 14-1
Dustin Johnson 20-1
Nick Watney 20-1
Bubba Watson 25-1
Paul Casey 33-1
Rickie Fowler 33-1
Anthony Kim 33-1
Camillo Villegas 100-1
Jhonattan Vegas 125-1

Romo attempting to qualify for U.S. Open

With no other sport to play right now, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo will once again attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open which will be held at Congressional Country Club in June.

He will start with the local qualifier May 9th and will look to move on to the sectional qualifier.

Romo made the sectionals last year but had to withdraw early in order to make it back in time to a Cowboy's practice.

It would be great to see Romo qualify to play the 7500 yard plus Congressional CC course, get paired with Tiger and Phil, and deal with the long rough, fast greens, and the pressure of a major championship.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Bubba Watson: By the numbers at the Zurich Classic



Bubba Watson beat Webb Simpson, who got screwed by a stupid rule, on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, his second win on the PGA Tour this season. With the victory, Watson moves into first place ahead of Luke Donald in the Fed Ex Cup Standings.

Scores: 68,66,70,69 -15

Fairways in regulation: 71.4% (T13)
Driving distance: 331.4 yards (1)
Greens in regulation: 80.6 (T1)
Putts per round: 29.3 (T57)
Sand saves: 25% (T49)
Total birdies: 16 (T23)
Total eagles: 3 (1)

Prize Money: $1,116,000.00
Fed Ex Points: 500