Prices are already coming out for next weeks event - couldn't help but take a little of the 80/1 Estes and 100/1 McCarron at Luvbet
Mercedes Championship
- Thread starter Ian
- Start date
Just saw something quite amazing in EMC Skills Challege. VJ won sweeping both Euro and USA events but the final event,short iron 151 yards, was most amazing.He went last as he was leading and needed only to beat Jesper 15'8".His 1st shot was 1'8" which gave him win however as the announcers came in he said he wanted to hit another shot left handed,borrowed Weirs 8 iron and hit it 2'4" The other players who had been joking all event went dead silent!
AV2
Only started using them about a month ago and haven't collected yet so they are still happy to let me bet - don't envisage that lasting forever
Only started using them about a month ago and haven't collected yet so they are still happy to let me bet - don't envisage that lasting forever
Trying a more factual-based format to previews this year ...
Mercedes Championship
Course: Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii
Yardage: 7263
Par: 73
USGA Rating: 75.2
Greens: Tifdwarf Bermudagrass - 9,500 sq.ft (Tour average: 6,000 sq.ft)
GCSAA Tournament Fact Sheet
Weather Forecast
Best Players Last 10 Years
Local players: None
---
Will have outright plays later today
Mercedes Championship
Course: Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii
Yardage: 7263
Par: 73
USGA Rating: 75.2
Greens: Tifdwarf Bermudagrass - 9,500 sq.ft (Tour average: 6,000 sq.ft)
GCSAA Tournament Fact Sheet
Weather Forecast
Best Players Last 10 Years
Local players: None
---
Will have outright plays later today
First slightly mad pick of the year - the rank outsider Willis - who won first time up last year and got married a year ago in Hawaii - +140 over Damron at Camelot - am also tempted by the 125/1 to be top US player without Woods - or is that the drink from last night still talking?
Note: Finally learning from past mistakes ... all plays in January will be half the usual stake. Too little information at the moment to determine players' form.
Outright plays:
Tiger Woods to win 5/2 @ Sportfanatik [0.5 units]
Okay, not a very inspired first pick of 2002, but he was in very impressive form a few weeks ago at the Williams World Challenge - no repeat of his form of the second half of 2001 - and he won this event in a great shootout with Els two years ago. Els is not playing this week and nor is Mickelson or Singh, so this is a much weaker field than usual, but this is primarily a safety net play. The other two picks are quite susceptible to wilting on the final day if Tiger is in contention - just as Vijay did recently - so this ensures that all is not lost if that happens
Davis Love to win 16/1 e.w. @ Easybets [0.5 units]
In great form at the beginning and end of 2001 with injury ruining the other months, he would be a favorite for this event, but his form in Hawaii is even more impressive. He has won the Kapalua International three times, finished 8th on this course in 1999 and has finished in the top-10 in the Sony Open on his last four visits - including 2nd twice. He looks set for yet another top-4 position
Jim Furyk to win 30/1 e.w. (i.e. win & show) @ Olympic [0.5 units]
Not quite the same form as Love, but his record in Hawaii is just as impressive. He has also won the Kapalua International, but unlike Love, he has also won the Hawaiian Open and this event (last year) as well. This is a long, open course, but Furyk has finished in the top-10 on all three visits here and has shown that an ability to play in wind can easily overcome lack of length off the tee
Outright plays:
Tiger Woods to win 5/2 @ Sportfanatik [0.5 units]
Okay, not a very inspired first pick of 2002, but he was in very impressive form a few weeks ago at the Williams World Challenge - no repeat of his form of the second half of 2001 - and he won this event in a great shootout with Els two years ago. Els is not playing this week and nor is Mickelson or Singh, so this is a much weaker field than usual, but this is primarily a safety net play. The other two picks are quite susceptible to wilting on the final day if Tiger is in contention - just as Vijay did recently - so this ensures that all is not lost if that happens
Davis Love to win 16/1 e.w. @ Easybets [0.5 units]
In great form at the beginning and end of 2001 with injury ruining the other months, he would be a favorite for this event, but his form in Hawaii is even more impressive. He has won the Kapalua International three times, finished 8th on this course in 1999 and has finished in the top-10 in the Sony Open on his last four visits - including 2nd twice. He looks set for yet another top-4 position
Jim Furyk to win 30/1 e.w. (i.e. win & show) @ Olympic [0.5 units]
Not quite the same form as Love, but his record in Hawaii is just as impressive. He has also won the Kapalua International, but unlike Love, he has also won the Hawaiian Open and this event (last year) as well. This is a long, open course, but Furyk has finished in the top-10 on all three visits here and has shown that an ability to play in wind can easily overcome lack of length off the tee
Tiger at 5/2 at www.tattsbet.com too by the way. No North American clients though...
Kinda like Duval myself, but not going to get too involved this early in the year.
Kinda like Duval myself, but not going to get too involved this early in the year.
One other bet (this drink is taking a long time to wear off!) Gossett - 50/1 Bluesquare - too small, but the 200/1 at Olympic is too big - similar player to Sabatini who surprised all last year
Playing 2 place only wagers @ Oly for 1 unit each.
Furyk @ 4.5/1 and Weir @ 5/1
Ditto on Stans remarks on Furyk and hoping Weir will pick up where he left off in 2001.
Has a 4th and 12th place finish here in 2 trys.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HEY Ya all quit firing on Oly and moving those lines ya hear!The ole bone was picked clean before I could get to Furyk
[This message has been edited by DOGS THAT BARK (edited 01-02-2002).]
Furyk @ 4.5/1 and Weir @ 5/1
Ditto on Stans remarks on Furyk and hoping Weir will pick up where he left off in 2001.
Has a 4th and 12th place finish here in 2 trys.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HEY Ya all quit firing on Oly and moving those lines ya hear!The ole bone was picked clean before I could get to Furyk
[This message has been edited by DOGS THAT BARK (edited 01-02-2002).]
Strange happenings at Oly yesterday ... Furyk was 25/1 in the morning and then jumped to 30/1 in the evening
Certainly not much left on that juicy bone now.
Very strange to see odds on Tiger rise before a tournament, Boris. Will you be adding matchups as well?
Very strange to see odds on Tiger rise before a tournament, Boris. Will you be adding matchups as well?
72-hole plays:
Shigeki Maruyama to beat Cameron Beckman -110 @ Camelot [0.5 units]
Beckman is here courtesy of winning the Southern Farm Bureau Classic, a very weak event held the same time as the Tour Championship. He secured three top-10 finishes in the last few months of last year, but he is out of his depth here. Two missed cuts in the last two Sony Opens, whereas Maruyama finished 22nd and 9th in those two years
Jeff Sluman to beat Cameron Beckman -125 @ Easybets [0.5 units]
Slu is obviously at home in Hawaii. Top-15 in both his visits to this course and his record in the Sony Open is very impressive: 1st, 14th, 10th in the last three years. Experience of this event and at home in Hawaiian conditions are enough for a play on Sluman
Hal Sutton to beat Cameron Beckman -120 @ Intertops [1.5 units]
Injury and illness blighted Sutton's 2001 season. His record in Hawaii is not supportive of a renaissance this week, but he is by far the better and more experienced player. Not a very common matchup
Hal Sutton to beat Mark Calcavecchia +100 @ WIT [0.5 units]
Calc's form in Hawaii is no better and barring 4th at the PGA Championship, his form completely deserted him after the Masters last year. With Calc rank last at the Williams World Challenge, I'll take Sutton at this price
Sergio Garcia to beat Retief Goosen -145 @ Camelot
Both debutants in Hawaii, but Sergio is tipped to have a much stronger week. Goosen must still be tired from his exhausting schedule last year as U.S. Open Champion and barring that win at Southern Hills, his best finish on the PGA Tour last year was 34th (Bay Hill Invitational) and he failed to make the weekend in four of seven PGA Tour starts
Shigeki Maruyama to beat Cameron Beckman -110 @ Camelot [0.5 units]
Beckman is here courtesy of winning the Southern Farm Bureau Classic, a very weak event held the same time as the Tour Championship. He secured three top-10 finishes in the last few months of last year, but he is out of his depth here. Two missed cuts in the last two Sony Opens, whereas Maruyama finished 22nd and 9th in those two years
Jeff Sluman to beat Cameron Beckman -125 @ Easybets [0.5 units]
Slu is obviously at home in Hawaii. Top-15 in both his visits to this course and his record in the Sony Open is very impressive: 1st, 14th, 10th in the last three years. Experience of this event and at home in Hawaiian conditions are enough for a play on Sluman
Hal Sutton to beat Cameron Beckman -120 @ Intertops [1.5 units]
Injury and illness blighted Sutton's 2001 season. His record in Hawaii is not supportive of a renaissance this week, but he is by far the better and more experienced player. Not a very common matchup
Hal Sutton to beat Mark Calcavecchia +100 @ WIT [0.5 units]
Calc's form in Hawaii is no better and barring 4th at the PGA Championship, his form completely deserted him after the Masters last year. With Calc rank last at the Williams World Challenge, I'll take Sutton at this price
Sergio Garcia to beat Retief Goosen -145 @ Camelot
Both debutants in Hawaii, but Sergio is tipped to have a much stronger week. Goosen must still be tired from his exhausting schedule last year as U.S. Open Champion and barring that win at Southern Hills, his best finish on the PGA Tour last year was 34th (Bay Hill Invitational) and he failed to make the weekend in four of seven PGA Tour starts
Seems players either play well or hate and avoid Hawaii.Personally I think it is the grain of the greens which is unbelievable over there.Most of these play on are those that play well vs those that avoid are play bad there.
72 holes
Dimarco +110 vs Goosen @ 5Dimes
Can't see where Goosen has ever played Islands.
Sluman +110 vs K Perry @ Oly
Don't think Kenny has made trip but once in last 5 years.
Furyk + 115 vs Garcia @WSEX
Horse for course vs a never played
Then stepping out against better judgement on 2 I like @ SIA despite ties lose
Dimarco -110 vs Estes
Weir -110 vs vs Goosen
Looked hard for good match vs Verplank but none to be found.Don't know if shots challenge was live last week but he played poorly and did not look well physically.Seldon smiled and appeared to go thru motion.Don't know much bout index betting but one could oppose at pretty good price probably.
72 holes
Dimarco +110 vs Goosen @ 5Dimes
Can't see where Goosen has ever played Islands.
Sluman +110 vs K Perry @ Oly
Don't think Kenny has made trip but once in last 5 years.
Furyk + 115 vs Garcia @WSEX
Horse for course vs a never played
Then stepping out against better judgement on 2 I like @ SIA despite ties lose
Dimarco -110 vs Estes
Weir -110 vs vs Goosen
Looked hard for good match vs Verplank but none to be found.Don't know if shots challenge was live last week but he played poorly and did not look well physically.Seldon smiled and appeared to go thru motion.Don't know much bout index betting but one could oppose at pretty good price probably.
Daily matchups (note DH not push for ties), no 72 hole action.
Going up as we speak... I need more staff
Going up as we speak... I need more staff
adding a 72 hole
Perry +105 over Hoch @ Camelot
Taking Hoch at his word on this one.
KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Scott Hoch enjoys sand and surf as much as the next guy, but he usually prefers to skip the Hawaiian swing. He is at Kapalua for the Mercedes Championships for personal reasons.
"The wind isn't conducive to my game, and I'm not all that comfortable on Bermuda greens, but here I am," said Hoch, who won twice on the PGA TOUR in 2001 to break a three-year drought, which qualified him for his first Mercedes Championships at Kapalua Resort. "I'll go out there and do the best I can, which is all I can ask of myself at my age."
Perry +105 over Hoch @ Camelot
Taking Hoch at his word on this one.
KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Scott Hoch enjoys sand and surf as much as the next guy, but he usually prefers to skip the Hawaiian swing. He is at Kapalua for the Mercedes Championships for personal reasons.
"The wind isn't conducive to my game, and I'm not all that comfortable on Bermuda greens, but here I am," said Hoch, who won twice on the PGA TOUR in 2001 to break a three-year drought, which qualified him for his first Mercedes Championships at Kapalua Resort. "I'll go out there and do the best I can, which is all I can ask of myself at my age."
Thought you might like to hear this DTB
HOCH IN HAWAII
With victories in Greensboro and the Western Open, Scott Hoch qualified for the Mercedes Championships for the first time in four years.
He almost didn't come, anyway.
"The only reason I'm playing is my wife wanted to come," Hoch said.
Hoch is not a big fan of the Plantation Course at Kapalua, proving that St. Andrews and Pebble Beach are not the only courses he doesn't like.
"If they move this tournament 30 miles in any direction, it would be fine," he said.
HOCH IN HAWAII
With victories in Greensboro and the Western Open, Scott Hoch qualified for the Mercedes Championships for the first time in four years.He almost didn't come, anyway.
"The only reason I'm playing is my wife wanted to come," Hoch said.
Hoch is not a big fan of the Plantation Course at Kapalua, proving that St. Andrews and Pebble Beach are not the only courses he doesn't like.
"If they move this tournament 30 miles in any direction, it would be fine," he said.
Remember that Hoch complained like hell about a course last year (when doesn't he?). Said that it had been made too easy with the rough being shortened...then promptly went and won!
Interested to read DTB's view on Verplank's appearance.
Interested to read DTB's view on Verplank's appearance.
I thought with 2002 in full swing I would put up my betting odds for:
Most posts of 2002 on ON THE LINKS:
1.33 DOGS THAT BARK
6.00 IAN
12.00 STANLEY
26.00 AND BETTER THOSE NOT QUOTED
My verdict is that DTB is better value than Tiger is to win The Money List. With his sheer enthusiasm he cannot be opposed.
Some may feel that Ian at 6.00 appears to be value, but do not be fooled, this bloke does not have the stamina to contribute every week from January to December. Only in the unlikely event of him finding roughly all 47 winners on the US Tour, would he be able to keep up with the pace. Sadly if this occurred we would have to spare a thought for the staff of Luvbet who would all be retrenched during Ian's unbeatable spell.
Lastly Stanley, if the total number of words were the criteria, Stan would be a cert. Also if Stan chose to update all his tips in individual posts the race would be over by June. Stanley is without doubt the "class act" of this forum, but he will not feature in this market, maybe an each-way (1/4 the 1st 5 with Ladbrokes is the way to go)
I hope I have not offended anyone. May 2002 reward all of you with more winning bets than losing ones.
Cheers
Most posts of 2002 on ON THE LINKS:
1.33 DOGS THAT BARK
6.00 IAN
12.00 STANLEY
26.00 AND BETTER THOSE NOT QUOTED
My verdict is that DTB is better value than Tiger is to win The Money List. With his sheer enthusiasm he cannot be opposed.
Some may feel that Ian at 6.00 appears to be value, but do not be fooled, this bloke does not have the stamina to contribute every week from January to December. Only in the unlikely event of him finding roughly all 47 winners on the US Tour, would he be able to keep up with the pace. Sadly if this occurred we would have to spare a thought for the staff of Luvbet who would all be retrenched during Ian's unbeatable spell.
Lastly Stanley, if the total number of words were the criteria, Stan would be a cert. Also if Stan chose to update all his tips in individual posts the race would be over by June. Stanley is without doubt the "class act" of this forum, but he will not feature in this market, maybe an each-way (1/4 the 1st 5 with Ladbrokes is the way to go)
I hope I have not offended anyone. May 2002 reward all of you with more winning bets than losing ones.
Cheers
