The TPC Blue Monster at Doral measures 7,206 yards and plays every inch of it. The signature hole is the Par 4 18th. It played the most difficult finishing hole on the PGA Tour last year and is sure to provide fireworks on Sunday.
Phil Mickelson won this in 2009 and could sneak under the radar this week. With all the attention seemingly on McIlroy, Woods and Westwood at the moment Phil can quietly start where he left off. Mickelson was in great form in February before deciding to take a family vacation and miss the first World Golf Championship of the season, the Match Play event. I think Phil deciding to take a vacation instead of taking part in the World Match Play tells its own tale; family is number one in his life now, followed by golf. That being said there’s no way he’s lost his competitiveness and will hopefully be in the thick of things come Sunday evening. Mickelson’s final round 64 at Pebble Beach for victory was one of the best rounds of the year and he followed it up with a 2nd place finish at Riviera. With McIlroy and Woods dominating the head of the betting the 14/1 about Mickelson is definitely value.
McIlory is the favourite and deservedly so. He is now the new World Number 1 and his run of form this season has been awesome but surely there will be a little fatigue starting to show shortly and he will have the Masters in the back of his mind. Tiger on the other hand is starting to find his feet back on tour and has now added Arnie’s tourney to his schedule. After last week’s final round 62 and his record in this event it's without doubt his best opportunity of a win so far this season. I read an interesting stat that Tiger fans will enjoy, by now committing to Arnie’s tournament Woods will have played 7 tournaments Pre-Masters, the last time he played that many was in 2005, the last time he won it.
Another player I fancy to go well this week at a bigger price is Matt Kuchar. Kuchar is one of the most solid players on the PGA Tour. He has great tournament form with a 5th place finish in 2011 and 3rd place finish in 2010. His season was relatively quiet up until the Match play where he seemed to find his groove again reaching the Quarter Finals. If the big names aren’t at the races this guy has more than enough game to capitalise and at 40/1 with some firms is hopefully an each way steal.
Last week’s blog was saved by GMAC at 4/1 on our Top 10 bet so I’ve decided to try and find another ‘Saver Bet.’ This week I think Rickie Fowler can post another Top 10 at a WGC event. Fowler had T-9, 8TH and 2nd place finishes in the WGC events last year and I think with his solid Top 10 finish at the Honda Classic last week he can keep his run going. Fowler still hasn’t got a win on the PGA Tour which must be starting to get frustrating, but he seems to keep his best golf for the big tournaments.
My selections this week:
Phil Mickelson @ 14/1 Outright with BETVICTOR
Matt Kuchar @ 35/1 eachway (SIX Places) with PADDY POWER
Rickie Fowler @ 9/2 to finish in the Top 10 with BETFRED
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