THE 2012 HONDA CLASSIC - LIKE TO BET ON GOLF?

LIKE TO BET ON GOLF?

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida - Astonished doesn't begin to describe my reaction to learning that Tiger Woods, playing for the first time near his new home in Palm Beach County, isn't favored to win this week's Honda Classic at PGA National Golf Club. Like to bet on golf? My instincts tell me that Woods has been practicing extra-long hours since being bounced from match play and wants to win this golf tournament almost as much as any major. I'm betting on that.

Should this automatically make Tiger Woods the favorite? Currently, Ladbroke's lists Rory McIlroy as the chalk at 8-1 and it's hard to argue that the youngster doesn't deserve the esteem. Woods, meanwhile, is the second choice at 12-1 while third choice is Lee Westwood, right behind Tiger at 14-1. Although I can't imagine the odds growing longer on Tiger Woods come Thursday morning, it's conceivable that he could swap the 2-3 spots with Westwood. I should mention that no golfer in the rest of the field is listed at less than 33-1.

Lest we forget everyone else, there are a number of pro golfers who have come to South Florida feeling pretty good about their games. Keegan Bradley, just to name one such individual, has been playing lights out of late.

Are there any bettable long shots in this golf field? How about Y.E. Yang who brings his majors-type game to PGA National? Yang's odds are currently 50-1. Another golfer who has shown flashes of brilliance recently is Jarrod Lyle at 80-1, possibly on the verge of a breakout year. My sentimental pick might surprise some but local product Briny Baird, who has played this golf course more than anyone else, is being given my strong consideration, especially at 100-1. With the Dow surging, I can't, in good conscience, recommend that you bet on golf as a sound investment. But it might be time to dig those few shillings out of the couch. Tiger Woods at a price in his home town? Probably never see it again in our lifetime.

________________________

Keywords for this article: golf, swing, instruction, over the top golf, bet golf, betting on golf, Briny Baird, Honda Classic, Jarrod Lyle, palm beach gardens, PGA NATIONAL, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Y.E. Yang, ebook
Revised 09-03-2012

BILL HAAS AND RIVIERA COUNTRY CLUB - BOTH TOUGH TO BEAT

BILL HAAS AND RIVIERA COUNTRY CLUB 

LOS ANGELES, California - For those of us who almost never watch golf tournaments on TV, this weekend's contest at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles gave us a reason to do so more often. Lots of reasons, actually.

You couldn't help but be impressed by Bill Haas' determination. Haas was a smiling assassin as he both out-smiled and out-played Lefty Mickelson to earn a hard-earned victory. Keegan Bradley, a poster boy for nervous energy, kept fighting, spitting and fidgeting until the very end. Many hoped that Phil would win his second tournament in a row but, once again, he was derailed by a questionable decision on the tee box of the last hole on the last day.

We also got to see the other side of the coin watching Dustin Johnson's short game or lack therof. Television viewers were as embarrassed for him as Riviera's spectators obviously appeared after he amateurishly bladed a sand wedge across the green. Sometimes it's hard to imagine these golfing machines as human beings with all of the attendant frailties and weaknesses.

You'd have to call the Northern Trust Open's international field pretty strong with the likes of Luke Donald, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, KJ Choi, Aaron Baddeley and Sergio Garcia teeing it up at Riviera. It was nice to see golfers from the United States sweeping the first three spots.

As for Riviera, no article about this tournament would be complete without an honorable mention for the outstanding golf course known famously as"Hogan's Alley" after legendary golfer Ben Hogan. Riviera Country Club provided the canvas on which Haas would craft his masterpiece. It was an inspired performance which could only have taken place on such an inspirational golf course.

____________________

Keywords for this article: bet golf, betting on golf, Briny Baird, Honda Classic, Jarrod Lyle, palm beach gardens, PGA NATIONAL, Rory McIlroy, tiger woods, Y.E. Yang, golf, swing, instruction, over the top golf, ebook
Revised 09-03-2012