The 2011 US Open kicks-off this Thursday morning with the start of the first of four rounds from Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. This second Major of the season is often thought of as the most difficult and demanding test of the four. The USGA, which runs this event, is notorious for setting up the course so even par would be considered a good score. The fairways are trimmed tight and surrounded by deep rough and the greens are cut and rolled to remain lightning-fast no matter what the weather conditions are. These factors combine to put a premium on both distance and accuracy as well as a perfect putting stroke to have any chance to win this event.

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Tiger Woods has been the perennial odds-on-favorite for the US Open over the past decade or so, but with him out of the tournament this season due to a leg injury, that honor this year goes to Lee Westwood at 11/1. Westwood is the No.2 ranked player in the world and quickly comes to minds as one of the best, if not the best golfer today to have never won a Major. Hailing from England, he plays primarily on the European Tour, but has appeared in six US events so far this year. Westwood recorded an 11^th-place finish in both the Masters in April and the St. Jude Classic this past week. His best effort in this event was a third-place finish at Torrey Pines in 2008.

Luke Donald, another Englishman and the No.1 ranked player in the world will be paired with Westwood for the first two rounds; He is the second favorite to win this week at 14/1. He also spends the majority off his time on the European Tour but has played in nine events in the U.S. this season. Donald started the year off on a strong note with a victory in the Accenture Match Play Championship. He also finished fourth in this year’s Masters and Players Championship and was runner-up in The Heritage.  His best career finish in a US Open was a tie for 12^th at Winged Foot in 2006. He is listed dead even with Westwood in Bodog’s head-to- head odds between the two at -115 each.

The third favorite to finally break through a string of five second-place finishes at the US Open is Phil Mickelson at 14/1. He is currently ranked fifth in the world and eighth on the PGA Tour’s money list. He won the Shell Houston Open earlier this year, but finished a disappointing 27^th in the Masters and ended- up 33^rd in the Players Championship. Mickelson remains a legitimate threat to win every time a Major rolls around and still has the utmost determination in this one after suffering so many close-calls. The last time he seriously contended for a US Open title was in 2009 at Bethpage, when he finished second.

Rory McIlroy is back on the Major horse as the fourth favorite this week at 16/1. The Northern Ireland product is looking to bounce back from a final round meltdown on the second nine at Augusta after leading the Masters for the first three rounds. Youth is still very much on the side of this 21-year old phenon, but it will be interesting to see how he handles the spotlight if he is high on the leader board this time around.

The third member of Westwood and Donald’s threesome for the first two rounds is the third-ranked player in the world, Martin Kaymer. The German won his first career Major in last year’s PGA Championship. He started off this season with a loss to Donald in the finals of the Accenture Match Play Championship, but recent form is not in his favor after failing to make the cut at the Masters and finishing 19^th in the Players Championship. This is obviously reflected in his odds at 25/1 to win this week.

Finally, you cannot forget about last year’s US Open winner at Pebble Beach, Graeme McDowell. Another product of Northern Ireland, he is currently listed at 45/1 to repeat as champion this year. This is partially due to his current form which includes three missed cuts in his last five U.S. events including the Masters and a 33^rd-place finish in the Players Championship. Also, given the fact the last time someone won back-to-back US Open titles was Curtis Strange in 1988 and 1989, it is hard to draw a ton of confidence that McDowell has what it takes to match this feat.

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US Open Betting Lines:

• Lee Westwood – 12/1
• Luke Donald  - 12/1
• Phil Mickelson – 14/1
• Rory McIlroy – 16/1
• Martin Kaymer – 28/1
• Steve Stricker – 20/1

This Thursday the 75th Masters Tournament gets underway from Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia. Golf’s first big event of the season features the smallest but most talented field of players of any of the four Major tournaments on the schedule.

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The pairings for the first two rounds will be released on Tuesday and you can rest assured there will be some interesting matchups in both the morning and afternoon sessions of golf’s most prestigious event. The main story lines for this year’s Masters will undoubtedly revolve around Phil Mickelson’s attempt to win a fourth Green Jacket after winning his third last season along with the ongoing comeback of Tiger Woods, who has not won a Major since the 2008 US Open. There are several young guns in the field that are poised to make a run at winning their first Major as well as some accomplished veterans that are out to prove they still have what it takes to contend at Augusta.

The following is a brief look at a couple of players that should be in the thick of things on the leader board come Sunday’s back nine along with their current odds to win this week as provided by Sportsbook.com

Mickelson’s three-shot victory this past weekend in the Shell Houston Open has cemented him as the odds-on-favorite at +550 to successfully defend his 2010 Masters’ title. While there is little doubt his game is at peak form coming into this year’s event, it will be a tall task to repeat as champion in light of the fact that Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods are the only players to accomplish this feat in the past 20 years. Betting against a man that has won here three previous times is not the smartest strategy in the world, but he offers little value at +550 given the degree of difficulty in nailing down back-to-back titles.

Despite the fact he has not won a tournament since 2009, Tiger Woods is the second favorite to win this week at +1000. Woods finished tied for 24th in his last outing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. He has struggled with consistency both off the tee and on the greens, but he still commands some attention with four Masters’ titles to his credit including one in 2005. He is another guy you should be careful betting against, but the current state of Woods’ game does not instill the kind of past confidence you would normally have in his ability to win. Given the fact that his potential return gets driven down as a crowd favorite, the value invariable also gets sapped out of his +1000 odds.

Martin Kaymer comes into this year’s Masters as the current No.1 player in the World Rankings and at +1800 to win this week. His past two seasons have been highlighted by a victory in the 2010 PGA Championship, which earned him his first Major and a win in this year’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. His past track record at Augusta has not been anything to bank on after missing the cut all three times he has played here. Regardless of this fact, this 26-year old is the kind of young gun that could easily break through the pack this week, adding some solid value to his +1800 odds.

A high-profile player in search of his first victory in a Major is Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. He comes in at +2500 to win this week and could offer some solid value if you are looking for a moderate longshot to steal the show from the favorites. McIlroy has had opportunities to win a Major in the past with third-place finishes in the last two PGA Championships and a third-place finish in last year’s Open Championship. He finished 20th in his 2009 debut at Augusta, but failed to make the cut in last year’s tournament.

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The 38^th Ryder Cup will get underway this Friday, October 1 from the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales. The three day competition pits the top 12 golfers from the United States against the top 12 golfers from Europe in two rounds of ‘Four-balls’; where the lowest score of the foresome wins the hole, two rounds of ‘Foursomes’; where each twosome plays alternate shots until the ball is holed with the low score winning the hole, and one round of ‘Singles’ on the final day; which consists of straight up competition in a one on one match play format.

The Captains for each team consist of Corey Pavin for the United States and Colin Montgomerie for Europe. The United States is the defending champion and would retain the cup in the event of a tie.

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The United States team consists of:

Stewart Cink- he has played in four previous Rider Cups and has an overall record of 4-7-4 and is unbeaten in four-balls (1-0-3).

Rickie Fowler- at just 21 years old he is the third youngest player ever to appear in a Ryder Cup.

Jim Furyk- this will be his seventh Ryder Cup appearance. He is 8-13-3 and 4-1-1 in singles. He has seven losses in four-balls which is the most in US history.

Dustin Johnson- this will be his first appearance. He finished in the top 15 in three of the four Majors this year.

Zach Johnson- in 2006 he went 1-2-1 in his first Ryder Cup.

Matt Kuchar- another Ryder Cup rookie, he was a two-time tour winner in 2010.

Hunter Mahan- in one previous Ryder Cup appearance he was unbeaten at 2-0-3.

Phil Mickelson- this will be his eighth Ryder Cup. His overall record is 10-14-6 and 3-4 in singles matches.

Jeff Overton- this rookie has three second and two third place finishes on tour this year.

Steve Stricker- in one previous Ryder Cup he went 0-2-1.

Bubba Watson- this rookie was the runner-up at the PGA and the 2010 Travelers Champion; his first tour victory.

Tiger Woods- this is his sixth Ryder Cup appearance. He is 10-13-2 and 3-1-1 in singles.

The European team consists of:

Luke Donald- in two previous Ryder Cups he is 5-1-1 overall and 4-0-0 in foursomes.

Ross Fisher- this rookie led all four Majors at one point in 2009. He also won the Volvo World Match Play title that year.

Peter Hanson- this rookie’s win in the 2010 Czech Open secured a spot on the team.

Padraig Harrington- in five previous Ryder Cups he is 7-11-3 but is 0-7-2 in his previous two appearances.

Miguel Angel Jimenez- this is his fourth Ryder Cup appearance. He has an overall record of 2-7-3 and is 0-3 in singles.

Martin Kaymer- his win in the 2010 PGA Championship in a playoff against Bubba Watson punched his ticket onto the team.

Graeme McDowell- in one previous Ryder Cup appearance he was 2-1-1. This year he won the US Open at Pebble Beach.

Rory McIlroy- this Ryder Cup rookie tied for third at the Open Championship and PGA this year.

Edoardo Molinara- this rookie tied for fourth earlier this season at the Celtic Manor Wales Open.

Francesco Molinara- paired with his brother Edoardo, he won the 2009 World Cup for Italy.

Ian Poulter- this is his third Ryder Cup appearance. In 2004 he was 2-1 and in 2008 he was 4-1.

Lee Westwood- this will be his seventh Ryder Cup appearance. His overall record in the previous six is 14-10-5.

The current moneyline on Bogog.com has the Europeans favored at minus 175 and the United States at plus 175. The line on a draw is plus 1000. Dating back to 1995, the Europeans have won five of the previous seven competitions and the last three played on their side of the pond. With almost half the field playing in their first Ryder Cup; five rookies for the US and six rookies for Europe the pressure will be on several of these players to elevate their game to a whole new level. Europe gets the edge in my book as they are awfully hard to beat on their own soil, especially at a course the likes of Celtic Manor.

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The fourth and final Major of the 2010 professional golf season gets underway this week as the 92nd PGA Championship will be played at Whistling Straights Golf Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. The first round is scheduled for Thursday, August 12 with the final round on Sunday, August 15.

This is the second PGA Championship to be played at this course, with Vijay Singh winning the first tournament here back in 2004. Last year it was Y.E. Yang that took the field by storm as he battled Tiger Woods all the way through the final round to win his first Major by shooting eight under par at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

The following is a look at the top five favorites to win this week according to odds posted by Bodog.com

Phil Mickelson          10/1

Mickelson has had a decent run in the three Majors this year; winning at Augusta, finishing tied for fourth in the U.S. Open, and tied for 48^th in the Open Championship. You have to question where Mickelson’s head is at coming into this week after shooting a dreadful 78 in the final round of last week’s Bridgestone Invitational.

Tiger Woods              12/1

Woods is another player that has done fairly well in this year’s Majors after tying for fourth in the Masters and U.S. Open and tying for 23^rd in the Open Championship. You really have to wonder where his head is at after coming off one of the worst four round performances in his professional career last week at Firestone. He finished the tournament near the bottom at 18 over par.

Rory McIlroy              16/1

As one of the most hyped younger players in the game, you have to believe that he is due to have a breakout tournament in a Major. He came close last month after tying for third in the Open Championship, but he still was never really in contention as Louis Oosthuizen ran away with that one. He comes into this tournament playing well after tying for ninth last week in the Bridgestone Invitational.

Padraig Harrington   20/1

When any of the Majors roll around, Harrington’s name is always listed among the favorites. That might be especially telling this week as Harrington won the PGA Championship in 2008 at Oakland Hills C.C. He actually missed the cut at St. Andrews, but he too comes into this week playing well after finishing tied for ninth at Firestone.

Steve Stricker             22/1

Stricker is one of those guys that is always hanging around the top of the leaderboard in a Major, but never seems to make a serious run at winning one. This year he has struggled, finishing tied for 30^th in the Masters, tied for 58^th in the U.S. Open, and tied for 55^th in the Open Championship. None the less he is always a threat to win anytime he tees it up.

In looking at the odds that are posted for all the players in this week’s tournament, I will once again defer to taking the field at 10/1 especially since that was the proper play in two out of the last three Majors.

In this year’s third Major tournament, the best golfers in the world return to the home of golf, the Old Course at St. Andrew’s Links in Fife, Scotland for the 150^th anniversary of the Open Championship. The first round is scheduled to get underway on Thursday, July 15^th with the final of four rounds scheduled for Sunday, July 18^th.

Last year at Turnberry, Tom Watson almost turned back time in what would have been an historic victory for the ages, but it was not meant to be as he lost a four hole playoff to Stewart Cink. This year there is once again a star studded field of the best golfers in the world as they attempt to add their name to the Claret Jug either again or for the first time with a victory this week.

The following is a preview of some of the favorites to win this week along with their current odds as listed on Bodog.com

Tiger Woods       5/1

Woods is a three time Open Champion; in 2000, 2005, and 2006. He won the tournament by eight strokes when it was last played at St. Andrews back in 2000. After a strong performance at the U.S. Open last month at Pebble Beach, Wood’s game appears to be getting back to the point where he is once again a serious threat to win the minute he steps on the first tee.

Phil Mickelson    16/1

Mickelson has won four Majors in his career including a win at Augusta earlier this year, but a win in the Open is still on his to do list providing some serious motivation to cross it off the list this week. A fourth place finish at Pebble Beach is also a sign that his game is ready to get the job done.

Rory McIlroy       16/1

The Northern Ireland native will certainly be a crowd favorite this week, but he has been slowly developing the game to be a serious contender as well. The old Course suits his style of play and he should feel right at home if weather becomes a factor this week.

Ernie Els              18/1

As the No. 1 ranked player on the money list, Els is primed for a break out win this week as he is easily playing his best golf over the past few years of his career. He finished third last month in the U.S. Open and has two PGA tour victories earlier in the season to his credit.

Lee Westwood           18/1

Many thought that this year’s U.S. Open would be the perfect stage for Westwood’s first win in a Major, but after a disappointing 16^th place finish, the English native will now turn his attention to winning the Open in his own backyard.

Padraig Harrington     20/1

Harrington’s game has struggled a bit as of late, but on a course like St. Andrews you can never count the Dublin native out of contention. He finished 22^nd in the U.S. Open but followed that up with a fifth place finish in the Traveler’s Championship a week later.

Graeme McDowell      25/1

The surprise winner of this year’s U.S. Open will try and make it two Majors in a row when he tees it up on the Old Course this week. It would be a huge stretch to bet on him to win this week playing in such a strong field, but what were the odds on him before he teed it up at Pebble Beach to win there?

In what is easily the most diverse group of professional golfers assembled for a Major, you have to think that someone else not on Bodog.com’s current list of players with individual odds is destined to come up with a big performance this week and steal the show.

My Pick- The Field    (10/1)

Tiger Woods    5-2

With the all the off and on course trouble that Tiger has had over the past seven months it is hard to believe that his game and head are where they need to be to win this week. Since returning from his self imposed hiatus from golf due to problems in his personal life he has yet to contend in the handful of tournaments he has played. You cannot discount the fact that he is still arguably the best player in the game, but given the severe playing conditions of a U.S. Open anything less than perfect will not be good enough this week.

Phil Mickelson    7-1

The U.S. Open is the one Major that has been within Mickelson’s grasp numerous times but one he has yet to win. With five previous second place finishes dating back to 1999, it has to be the one tournament that has tormented him the most. It is also the one tournament he wants to win the most making the motivation factor extremely high this week. Adding to the drama, with a win earlier in the year in the Masters, a win this week keeps his dream of a Grand Slam alive. As far as a straight out bet on one player, Mickelson would be my pick.

Ernie Els     12-1

The 40 year old Els from South Africa is a two time U.S. Open Champion; 1994 at Oakmont and 1997 at Congressional. While it has been awhile since he has captured a Major, he still has the game to win this week. He is probably playing his best golf in the past few years as he already has two wins to his credit this season. In March he won both the World Golf Championships and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. A few weeks ago he tied for third in the Valero Texas Open. If he is in contention come Sunday, he still has what it takes to seal the deal.

Lee Westwood      15-1

Westwood’s best finish in a U.S. Open was third in 2008 at Torrey Pines. He comes into this tournament playing at a high level having won the St. Jude Classic in a playoff just last week. Earlier this year he finished second to Mickelson in the Masters and was tied for fourth in the Players Championship in early May. He is certainly capable of winning this week as I expect to see his name somewhere near the top of the leader board all weekend long.

The Field      2-1

The field will most likely be the strongest play this week. Given the ridiculously difficult course conditions that the USGA presents in an U.S. Open format it is hard to predict whose game will be up to the task this week. Also given this year’s venue, weather is always a factor that needs to be accounted for. Last year Lucas Glover came out of nowhere to claim his first Major with players like Ricky Barnes and David Duval tying for second. You have to believe that come late Sunday afternoon the odds favor some other young (or old) gun to grab their first one as well.

The biggest story line coming into this week is Tiger Woods return to competitive play. Woods has not played in a tournament since his self imposed hiatus from the game to tend to his well documented problems in his personal life. While it is hard to imagine he will be in top competitive form after a five month absence from the game, the odds makers have him listed a 9-2 favorite to win his fifth Green Jacket. Phil Mickelson is a close second favorite at 5-1. Mickelson has won this tournament twice; in 2004 and 2006. Last year’s unexpected winner in a three way playoff with Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell, Angel Cabrera from Argentina is currently a 50-1 long shot to repeat as champion. No European player has won at Augusta since Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal won in 1999. Ireland’s Padraig Harrington is a 12-1 favorite to finally break this drought.

A U.S. player has won the Masters six out of the last ten years, although there has only been three different players; Woods (three times), Mickelson (twice), and Zach Johnson (once) to actually win. The other four champions include Cabrera (2009), Tever Immelman (2008) from South Africa, Mike Weir (2003) from Canada, and Vijay Singh (200) from Fiji. The first foreign player to ever win a Green Jacket was Gary Player from South Africa back in 1961. Jack Nicklaus still holds the record for most victories at Augusta with six. Arnold Palmer joins Woods in second place with four tournament wins.

One of the more interesting players to watch this week will be Anthony Kim. After his playoff win yesterday in the Shell Houston Open, it could be his turn to break through and finally win a major. He is currently listed at 30-1 odds to win this week. Sergio Garcia, who is probably the biggest name player never to win a major, is currently listed at 28-1. Ernie Els, who has won multiple majors but never a Green Jacket, is listed at 30-1 odds to win this week. Some other players to watch this week include Jim Furyk at 25-1, Ian Poulter at 20-1 and Rory McIlroy at 15-1.

While I never like to bet against Tiger Woods as he always seems to come up with incredible performances in majors no matter what the circumstances, a win this week would be a stretch even for him. My pick for this year’s Masters is 33 year old Paul Casey from England, who is currently listed at 18-1.

Waste Management Phoenix Open
TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona

Picks: The Favorite

US Sportsbook Review pick: Phil Mickelson +715

Two-time winner at TPC Scottsdale, Phil Mickelson is the favorite in this field. Although Mickelson has experienced a rocky start to his 2010 season, his experience on the course, and the continued absence of Tiger Woods, leaves him as the safest pick for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Mickelson, who attended Arizona State University, has had an up and down start to the season finishing T45th, 19^th, and T8. His lone top 10 finish was at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Although he hasn’t placed well, Phil Mickelson does have a lower scoring average (69.75) entering this weekend then he did in each of the last four seasons. Mickelson is also sitting better than the tour average in driving distance, greens in regulation, and scrambling statistics. If Mickelson can improve his accuracy off the tee blocks, he might be in line to snap his weak start with a victory at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Picks: The Mid-Tier

Sports Betting Picks: Brian Gay +3050

Picked by many PGA analysts as a strong threat at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Brian Gay is an enticing pick. A veteran of professional golf since 1994, Brian Gay has finished no lower than 25^th in five PGA Tour starts this season. Recently he finished tied for 9^th at the World Match Play Championships. In 2009, Brian Gay won two tournaments including the Verizon Heritage and the St. Jude Classic.

As a mid-tier pick, Brian Gay is a golfer who can legitimately contend for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Thus far this season, Gay has been averaging better than the PGA Tour average in scoring average, driving accuracy, greens in regulation, scrambling, and putts per round. Watch for Brian Gay’s name to be near, if not on top of the leader board on Sunday.

Picks: The Long shot

Longshot pick: Justin Rose +6050

Despite the presence of the world’s top golfers, Justin Rose is a long shot worth acknowledging. After missing the cut in the Bob Hope Classic, Rose has consistently improved this season including a tie for 12^th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Rose mixes accurate and long drives, with a soft touch around the green. The South African native has been expected to make a breakthrough since turning pro in 1998, but has consistently finished just shy of victory in North America. On the European Tour, Rose has two victories including one at the Dunhill Championship in 2002 and a second in 2007 at the Australia.

This week, the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship will take place in Marana, Arizona. Geoff Ogilvy took the largest part of the $8.5 million share last year and 63 others will try to do the same. Here are our final four picks for the weekend:

Ben Hogan Bracket

Golf Betting Odds: Rory McIlroy +350

There are some big names in this bracket, including Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh, Chad Campbell and David Toms, but the two favorites are Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy. McIlroy is an interesting prospect as he’s just the second 20-year-old to break into the Top 10 while Kaymer is coming off a win at Abu Dhabi.

It’s a tough call but the young gun will be our pick here. He is playing with a lot of confidence right now and the back problems appear to be behind him.

Pick: Rory McIlroy

Bobby Jones Bracket

Sports Betting Lines: Steve Stricker +315

The Bobby Jones Bracket has a big favorite as Steve Stricker is the man to beat. In 2001, he won this event as the No. 55 seed but he has improved significantly since. Nobody will be underestimating him this year.

Stricker has been one of the best golfers around this year and he plays well at this tournament. He shouldn’t have too many problems winning this bracket.

Pick: Steve Stricker

Gary Player Bracket

Sports Interaction Odds (Sports Interaction Reviews): Geoff Ogilvy +350

It’s fairly hard to argue with Geoff Ogilvy not only to win the Gary Player Bracket, but to win it all. Ogilvy has won twice in four starts and in one of his other starts, he placed second.

He probably won’t have too much of a threat in this bracket but he should keep an eye on Lee Westwood. He’s Europe’s No. 1 and No. 4 overall, but he is just 5-9 at this tournament. This bracket will be up to him and Ogilvy, but we have Ogilvy advancing to celebrate the birth of his third child.

Pick: Geoff Ogilvy

Sam Snead Bracket

Sportsbetting odds: Paul Casey +450

The Sam Snead Bracket is a little more open but Paul Casey is the favorite. In total, there are six golfers than are within 11-to-1 odds.

Jim Furyk might be a popular pick but he can’t get past the third round of this tournament. Casey might be a safer pick as he’s made it to the finals before.

We’ll go with Stewart Cink as the savvy veteran has made the final day in each of the last two years.

Pick: Stewart Cink

It’s no college football betting, but the PGA can still provide us with lots of sportsbook fun. Even this week’s Canadian Open is worth wagering on, as it features more good golfers than you may think and has some interesting storylines. Let’s examine a few of the more intriguing picks.

Retief Goosen (+1600)

Why he could win: Few golfers are more consistent than Goosen, who has missed just one cut all season. He’s also cracked the top 25 in four of five tournaments and he was very solid at the British Open, tying for fifth place, just two strokes out of a playoff. Winners at Glen Abbey Golf Club, host of the Canadian Open, typically go low, and Goosen is ninth on Tour in scoring average.

Mike Weir (+1600)

Why he could win: No golfer will have more motivation to win than Weir, a native of Ontario. He has two top-fives at the Canadian Open since 2004 and his good ball striking makes him well-suited to the Abbey. However, he cracked on the final hole of 2004 when he had the win locked up and he’s been inconsistent this season, so he’s not a safe play as far as typical favorites go.

Anthony Kim (+1800)

Why he could win: Kim tore up this course for most of last season and is perhaps the best suited golfer for the Abbey out of this week’s field. He’s a good shotmaker, second on the Tour in birdies, and capable of scoring really low when he’s hot, so he could make real noise this week.

Luke Donald (+2000)

Why he could win: He combines the sturdiness of Goosen and the shotmaking ability of Kim, so he could be the top pick this week. Donald has five top-fives in just 14 starts this season and leads the Tour in putting. Since he offers better value than Goosen and Kim, you have to consider him when making your sports predictions.

Stephen Ames (+3300)

Why he could win: His Canadian citizenship will make him a popular pick among sentimental golf fans, but not according to sportsbook software, as he’s simply not playing well in 2009. He’s as much of a long shot as Josh Barnett against Fedor in Affliction betting, but he certainly has motivation. If you’re feeling lucky, he does offer nice value…

Pick: Luke Donald +2000