OPENERS:
(A)
http://sport.scotsman.com/golf.cfm?id=407112005
Tiger and Coach Hank.
(Edit: Not a bad spot for revisiting my first post of the season on 1/6/05:
"Tiger Woods(4/1) e.w. in U.S. Masters @ Bet365
- - I haven't once doubted Tiger's greatness in 29 years, and I'm not about to start. I'm believing what my eyes and ears are telling me, and sooner rather than later. The landscape has changed and it won't be like it was, but it will be better than "almost" great.")
(B) Augusta National and Harbor Town stand out as quintessential "courses for horses" venues. With the Masters and it's very real line of demarcation on every season now behind us, and with more eclectic venues on the horizon, my first inclination lies in asking who, like Peter Lonard last week, and Tom Lehman in recent weeks, showed real flashes at the start of the year, went into a lull, but are destined to re-emerge with some unfinished business, sooner rather than later . . . Arron Oberholser was a likely play this week, but he's now missing in action.
OUTRIGHTS:
Pat Perez(80/1) e.w. @ Bet365
- - Acting on a tip from John Daly before The Players Championship: "Pat Perez is going to win soon - he's playing too well not to."
Stephen Ames(25/1) e.w. @ GolfingGods
- - Ames got on a roll and was a Top Ten phenom last year, and while something less sustained certainly seems likely next time around, I think it is likely that Ames is a better player now vs. then. Anyway, Ames on view at Harbor Town had that look again, and while I'm afraid it might be Pampling (along with Adam Scott) that is ready to follow Lonard in the winner's enclosure, I'm stubbornly going with Ames as a known quantity.
Mark Calcavecchia(50/1) e.w. @ GolfingGods
- - No doubt Calc is making a rare appearance on my card, but he's laid the foundation.
Rich Beem(125/1) e.w. @ GolfingGods
- - I recall the greens at Redstone being fairly straightforward in putting contours and pin accessibility, and Beem could benefit from both. We will soon find out if there is anything to his recent flash of form, and I if there is, I think a generally poor record in Texas actually adds an element to his chances this week.
MATCHUPS:
Calcavecchia(+130) over Kelly (Tournament) @ 5dimes
Campbell(+190) over Ames/Howell (Thursday) @ 5dimes
GL
