Is Tiger 'Bomb Proof' at Firestone this week?

WGC Bridgestone at Firestone Country Club

This week we have the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. It’s one of the World Golf Championships and has no cut, which means for the slow starters you’re never too far back, unless you’re too far back! *giggles*.

 It’s a tournament that Tiger Woods used to win when he felt like it (winner in ’99, ’00, ’01, ’05, ’06, ’07, 09). However he has put in a poor showing the last couple of years (T-78 in ’10, T-37 last year). Although it’s fair to say Tiger’s game wasn’t in the same shape as it has been this year. His three wins this year have all came in familiar territory to him, Bay Hill, Muirfield Village and Congressional, multiple winner at each course. So it’s quite clear he plays the same courses well. Some people might say 5/1 is short, roll back a few years and you would have been lucky to get 5/2 at Firestone. If you aren’t convinced that Tiger is value at 5s and would rather take him on you should probably strike your bet with Paddy Power on their phone app. If Tiger Woods wins Paddy Power will give all losing punters a free bet to the value of their stake for the PGA Championship for next week. If you fancy this and don’t have a Paddy Power account you can click the banner on the right side of my page and set up an account and get up to a £50 free bet.

Tiger Wood's smiling at a Presser (pretty sure I should of paid for this pic)

On the basis that I think Tiger will get the win on Sunday I am going to do my each way alternatives in the ‘Without Tiger’ market. Paddy Power and Sky Bet are doing markets on this and it gives you a strong possibility of getting paid out on two winners on Sunday. Like most golf fans that enjoy a punt, after the Open I decided Adam Scott was the logical bet for the Bridgestone. Scott is the defending champ here, he hit the ball beautifully for 68 holes at the Open and he looked nailed on for his first major championship entering the back nine at Lytham, but it all went wrong for him. Truth be told I was shouting for Ernie in the final few holes but it wasn’t enjoyable to watch Scott throw it away (finished with four straight bogeys). I was surprised to see people comparing his back nine to McIlroy’s at the Masters (2011), it wasn’t! McIlroy had a meltdown; Scott together with Stevie Williams made poor decisions at bad times. To be honest I think Williams should have taken some criticism (especially for the tee shot on 18) but he got off scot-free (I refuse to apologise for that glorious pun). Anyways, although I think he has a great chance I won’t be backing him at a best price 18/1. I wanted bigger, I expected bigger. If he was 25/1 he’d probably be my main pick but it’s funny how your mind works when looking at prices, few points too short, and I’m out.

From a man who should of won his first major this season to a man who did. My first each way alternative to Tiger is Bubba Watson. The man is a bit of a legend in my eyes, plays golf his own way, doesn’t take lessons (where would you even start?) and for the most part (unless in France) has a carefree attitude on the course. I think it was to be expected that his performances after the Masters would be a little subdued. Not only did he win his first major (in a play off) but just before that he and his wife Angie adopted a baby (Caleb). So it’s fair to say he’s had quite a year! With Firestone measuring 7,400 yards it should suit a ‘big hitter’, Tiger was the ‘big hitter’ for the majority of his wins here. Bubba’s ranks 1^st in Driving Distance’ and not surprisingly considering he wedges it to most Par 4’s is 1^st in Greens in Regulation this year. Bubba has played here twice and notched up a couple of solid Top 25s but it should be noted he lead after a 64 in his opening round in 2010. Other than his Masters win he has had two other second place finishes this season, one was at the Cadillac Championship, so he picks the big money tourneys to play well! Hopefully he will win a lot more dollaaaa come Sunday, he needs it, it’s expensive raising a child, well so the 'owl doll' (*in a Northern Ireland accent*) told me anyway!

The caricature that Bubba uses as his Twitter avatar

I’m sticking to the big hitters with my second and final alternative to Mr Woods. Dustin Johnson was my highest placed pick at the Open Championship, unfortunately for him the rest of my picks were crap and his 9^th place finish won the honours. I’m adamant DJ is going to pick up another win this year (fingers crossed for Kiawah Island next week) and I am determined to have my money decorating the mahogany when he does. At Firestone his low round, like Bubba’s, came in 2010, in the shape of a 65 on the Saturday. His three appearances have been solid with a couple of Top 25s, but it is a course that should suit and I think his game is ticking along nicely. The thing with DJ is getting a couple of aspects of his game working well at the same time, if it comes together he’ll be bang there and if Tiger falters he can pick up a big prize before he heads off to Kiawah Island. 

Dustin Johnson

I am sure most of you who read my blog know by now; I don’t claim to be a ‘tipster’. I do a write up on the golfers who I am backing myself; if you read my blog and think there’s a little truth to what I am saying by all means have a punt. I say this, as this week due to my betting in the ‘W/O Tiger’ market I am going to write up my staking plan beside my bets. It’s straightforward and most of you will say it’s a pretty obvious one but I thought I’d do it anyway.

My Selections are:

Tiger Woods @ 5/1 with Will Hill (3 pt win)

Bubba Watson @ 33/1 with Bet Victor (0.5 pt ew)(5 places)

Bubba Watson @ 25/1 ‘W/O Tiger’ with Sky Bet (0.5 pt ew)(5 places)

Dustin Johnson @ 35/1 with Stan James (0.5 pt ew)(5 places)

Dustin Johnson @ 25/1 ‘W/O Tiger’ with Paddy Power (0.5 pt ew)(5 places)