Golf Betting British Open Predictions/Pick
2009 Canadian Open Preview/Picks
Hold your horses, UFC 101 betting fans. You’ll have your fun again soon but, for now, the spotlight belongs to PGA betting. The Canadian Open is not the British Open, and it’s certainly missing many of the Tour’s top players, but it features a better field than you may think. Let’s have a look at some of the more intriguing picks at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Glen Abbey Golf Club this week.
CONTENDERS
Retief Goosen
Canadian Open odds: +1600
The calm, collected Goosen is the favorite to win this week’s Canadian Open and it’s hard to argue against his odds. He’s been consistently solid all season, missing just one cut and cracking the top 25 in four of his last five starts. He also looked strong last week, tying for fifth at the British Open. Golfers can go low at the Abbey and Goosen is ninth on Tour in scoring average, so he’s a solid sports pick.
Anthony Kim
Canadian Open odds: +1800
Though he’s not nearly as safe as Goosen – his last two finishes were a third place and a missed cut – Kim and Glen Abbey are a nice fit.
Not an overly long course, the Abbey rewards good shot makers more than it does big hitters. Kim, who ranks second on Tour in birdies, was really heating up before laying an egg last week. I think his Open performance was an aberration, so I wouldn’t hesitate to throw money down on him. Expect Kim to post multiple rounds in the 60s this week.
CANADIANS
Mike Weir
Canadian Open odds: +1600
Red flag! Just as football betting odds makers are overvaluing Arizona, books are inflating Mike Weir’s value simply because he’s Canadian. Apparently they didn’t stop to realize that no golfer has more pressure on him this week than Weir, an Ontario native. Remember his final-hole choke job in 2004 at this event? He’s also been horribly inconsistent this season, posting low numbers on Thursdays and Fridays before tanking on weekends. He doesn’t offer enough value to be a worthwhile pick.
Stephen Ames
Canadian Open odds: +3300
If you’re feeling sentimental and want to pick a Canadian, you’re better off with Ames, who offers more than double Weir’s value. Still, picking him is a stab in the dark, as he’s not playing well this season.
THE SLEEPER
Mark Calcavecchia
Canadian Open odds: +8000
This is not a joke. He’s won in Canada before and he struck a nice ball at the British Open, finishing tied for 27th. Please, don’t bet the farm on him, but note his fantastic value and realize that he could sneak up on the field.
THE BEST PICK
Luke Donald
Canadian Open odds: +2000
The best thing about Luke Donald is that he appeals to both safe and adventurous players, as he’s playing good golf right now but offers better value than the major favorites. He has five top-10s in just 14 starts (including one at the British Open), leads the Tour in putting, and ranks seventh in scoring average. If that’s not a recipe to score nice and low at the Abbey, nothing is.
Best betting management pick: Luke Donald +2000
