Bob Hope Classic

[kompressaur]

The US Tour touches down in California this week for its only five-rounder of the season - the Bob Hope Classic.

That means a Wednesday start, of course, so get those bets on in plenty of time.
It appears a wide open week and Blue Square can't sort out a favourite with Mike Weir, Ryan Moore, Justin Rose and Tim Clark all sharing top spot in the betting at 20/1.
Perhaps that highlights why there is no clear market leader as Moore, Rose and Clark have just one US Tour win between them while Weir is making his first start of the season having not made the trip to Hawaii.

They all have a chance but I much prefer to look at the next name in the betting, 25/1 shot Chad Campbell.

The Texan is a former winner here having taken the title in 2006 and last year was tied ninth after a flying 65-64 weekend finish.

Atypically this was Campbell's seasonal debut 12 months ago (he'd flown to Hawaii for the Sony Open but had to sit it out after forgetting to register!) so maybe there was an element of shaking off rust in the first three of those five rounds.

But this time he arrives at La Quinta in Southern California fully charged up after a promising tied eighth in Hawaii where he shot a 64 in round two and a Sunday 66.
Campbell said he "felt good coming in" to the Sony Open so his top 10 validated that and there's every reason to believe he'll kick on here and, hopefully, win the event for the second time.

The four courses here use Bermudagrass greens and all four of Campbell's US Tour wins have come on these type of putting surfaces while, despite being a fairly quiet kind of guy, he's extremely comfortable amongst celebrities and when there's a choice he opts to play with them.

The Ryder Cup ace really does merit a decent bet this week so we'll have 2pts e.w. on Campbell at 25/1.

I also like the chances of another former winner, Charley Hoffman.

Hoffman is always one to watch in this event. He won the event on debut in 2007, made an excellent defence (tied eighth) in 2008 and also cracked the top 20 last year.
Southern Californians (Hoffman being one of them) have won two of the last three Bob Hopes to suggest local knowledge is a help and, as we're in the desert this week, the fact that Hoffman went to UNLV (Las Vegas) and should really have won last year's Phoenix Open shows that he likes these conditions.

When Hoffman won three years ago, the winds were really gusting on the final day and more bad weather (storms) is forecast this week.

But basically, whatever the weather, Hoffman's background and experience suggests he can handle it and thrive.

The lack of an outing in Hawaii shouldn't be a worry as his win here in 2007 came on his seasonal debut and he also really relishes the pro-am format. Hoffman has a fine record in Vegas and in his Nationwide Tour days finished second in the BMW Pro-Am. "I like getting to meet new people and you walk away with a bunch of new friends when you play in this format," says Hoffman. "A lot of guys don't like it, but obviously with my track record, I'm going to keep playing in all of them that I can."

With plenty of family and friends cheering him on, Hoffman can play a big part this week so back him at 45/1.

At the same price, it could pay to side with big-hitting Scot Martin Laird.

This guy can boast a win (Las Vegas), a second (Reno) and a fourth (SBS in Hawaii) in his last seven US Tour starts so must be in the thoughts of European Ryder Cup captain and fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie.

He hits it a mile, putts well, makes loads of birdies and since moving to Scottsdale appears to have taken to desert golf like a duck to water.

Despite being in the first flushes of his US Tour career, Laird has actually played this event twice already and made the cut both times.

When he played all five rounds here last year it was actually the only cut he made in his first nine starts of the season so that highlights the giant strides he's made since as well as hinting that this venue suits him.

Laird, who shot 18-under in Hawaii a fortnight ago and 19-under when winning the Justin Timberlake in Vegas, clearly goes well when scoring is low and, if the weather is dodgy this week, let's remember that he grew up in Scotland!

With the course rotation - PGA West (Palmer Course), PGA West (Nicklaus Course), La Quinta CC and Silver Rock - the same as last year, it's not a bad idea to pick someone who finished in the top 10 in 2009.Campbell is already on the team but let's add last year's runner-up, John Merrick, at 66/1.

Merrick brings strong California credentials to the table - he was born in Long Beach and went to UCLA - and as well as finishing second here last year he was 16th in 2008.
Sixth in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, Merrick flourishes in his home State and the Sociology grad warmed up for this week with a useful top 25 in the Sony Open, where he was ranked first in greens in regulation and didn't miss a putt inside five feet.
If the rains really hit and it does play soft, Merrick's dialled-in irons could be a lethal weapon and this really is one of his best opportunities to post that first US Tour win.
Merrick played the par fives here in 19-under last year (joint best alongside winner Pat Perez) so the easy long holes really do play into his hands.

He also putts the greens well (T7 last year) so looks to have the perfect game to succeed. Cash in at 66/1.

CAMPBELL A CLASSIC BET: Golf Betting News - Golf Betting News, Previews and Tips, Tiger Woods

[kompressaur]

anyone got any thoughts on this as it enters into its last round?

thanks

[kompressaur]

25 Jan 10 - 17:20 John Merrick v Bill Haas 10/11 15/2 11/10
25 Jan 10 - 17:30 D.J. Trahan v Joe Ogilvie 10/11 15/2 11/10
25 Jan 10 - 17:30 Ryan Moore v Mike Weir EVS 15/2 EVS
25 Jan 10 - 17:40 Bubba Watson v Kevin Streelman 5/6 15/2 6/5
25 Jan 10 - 17:40 Martin Flores v Alex Prugh EVS 15/2 EVS
25 Jan 10 - 17:40 Tim Clark v Matt Kuchar 10/11 15/2 11/10

william hill

[beamer]

I've had to take Ryan Moore @ 30.0, who possibly may not win but could see his price collapse with a decent start.

Tim Clarke looks the most likely winner, but a match bet against watson is probably better value than backing him outright.

I layed Watson for a decent wedge last night when he was a crazy price as low as 1.8. made a profit on that but I'd probably look to take him on again at odds on.

Cheers beamer

[kompressaur]

cheers beamer. ive taken moore to beat weir in a match bet @ 10/11

also moore at 7/2 in a 6 ball against..clark, weir, kuchar, streelman and ogilvie.

any good places for latest scores etc? thanks

[beamer]

any good places for latest scores etc? thanks

Sorry Komp bit late with the reply but USPGA.com is the best site to check scoring.

Moore did get off to the best start of all but then double bogeyed.

Great evening for layers with 4 players trading at evens or lower.

Even though Watson got close, his price of 1.84 with 25 holes to play is the worst price I can ever recall. Just like him, I bottled it and traded out.

Cheers beamer