I watched the highlights - it certainly was an impressive up-and-down by Park, it could have been quite easy for her to lose the ball down the slope to the right of the hole. Even then, I would have only given her a 1 in 3 chance of making the putt. Very impressive comeback from her start, but it was a strange of club off the tee on that final hole.
Outright plays (1.5 units):
Cristie Kerr to win 25/1 e.w. @
Five Dimes
She admitted to being unsettled by her partner, Grace Park's, start in the final round last week, but she will rue her failure to hold on to her lead on the back nine on Sunday. That makes two runners-up finishes in the past three weeks and while she has won on Tour previously (2001 State Farm Classic), she does need to convert her good form into victories. If she keeps putting herself in contention, then it will only be a matter of time and in a week without Annika and Karrie, this could be the one. She finished in the top-20 last year and should at least match that with accuracy more important this year.
Meg Mallon to win 35/1 e.w. @
Five Dimes
The greater emphasis on accuracy should also benefit Mallon who finished 6th on her only previous visit in 2001. She has been competitive this year with a top-5 finish two weeks ago and was in contention throughout last week before finished 12th. This week she plays against a much weaker field and she did win the Canadian Women's Open last year against sterner opposition.
Catriona Matthew to finish in the top-five 9/1 @
Five Dimes
Matthew has won on Tour (2001 Hawaiian Ladies Open), but she is far from a good closer of events. She had been a runaway in last year's Canadian Women's Open until a nervous final round 77 enabled Mallon to win. She did the same three weeks ago in the Takefuji Classic - she had been leading the event going into the final round but a 74 meant she finished 6th. That said, she has still shown very good, consistent form this season and with a 6th place finish this year, this should be another week that she contends. But at these odds I'll take the place-only option until she proves her leading abilities otherwise.
