Not long to go until the start of the 2011 tour season, well I think the 2011 European Tour started in 2010 but that’s a different story to be told at a different time. We thought we’d give ye a run down of some of the best and worst golf bets for this coming season.
If Stuart Appleby tees it up at Kapalua for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions expect him to be in the top 3, he has pretty much the best record of any players there and the Aussies seem to love this track in Hawaii. No odds yet but Appleby would be my pick for the first golf bet of the year!
Tiger is not suprisingly favourite for the US Masters at 3/1 with most bookmakers at this stage although the value bet at Augusta remains Phil Mickelson (13/2) – rarely out of the top 5 every time he has teed it up at the gorgeous Georgia course over the past 10 years. Ian Poulter (33/1) has upped his game again over the last 12 months and his performance in the Ryder Cup and the concluding tournaments in the Race to Dubai should give him early confidence to start the 2011 season with. G Mac also has the game to win at Augusta, hits and draw and putts well, and at 33/1 has every chance.
No real prices for the US Open at Congressional yet but I would go with Ernie Els this time around, his return to form is very encouraging and he won back there in the 1990s so I see more of the same this time around. Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson would be my other two picks to contend but, of course, a lot will depend on form and prices come June.
The Open at Royal St George’s will be, like most Open Championships, a very open affair and tough to call. Tiger is favourite at 5s, not sure if I would be tempted to have a flutter on him at this early stage but could be a good shout if he does come back to a bit of form. There are simply too many good players now vying for the Majors and the World No.1 spot as well. The one positive for Tiger is that he was only 2 shots off 2003 winner Ben Curtis when the Open was last played at the 2011 venue. Another good shout would be Padraig Harrington at 25/1, the course should suit his game well and it will be bang in the middle of the season so hopefully Paddy can regain some of his 2008 form. Luke Donald (40/1) has the precision game for Royal St George’s as well, he was in great form towards the 2010 season’s end and he is likely to be in the top ten of players who will have missed the least amount of fairways over the 4 rounds.
The US PGA at the Atlanta Athletic Club is another tough one to call. David Toms won there back in 2001 with the lowest aggregate score in the Championship’s history so expect the low shooting players to be to the fore again. Phil Mickelson went very close back in 2001 and I would not be surprised to see him do the same again this time around.
So, to summarise all the above ranting and raving!!
Hyundai Tournament of Champions – Stuart Appleby (Price TBC)
US Masters – Phil to win (13/2) but back each way of course, G Mac and Poulter each way (33/1)
US Open – Ernie Els (Price TBC)
The Open – Harrington 25/1 and Donald 40/1 each way. Tiger for the win depending on form at 5s
US PGA – Phil Mickelson each way (Price TBC)
More tips to follow over the course of the year!
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