Having a bet on the PGA?
IN: News | US PGA | US PGA Championship (2002) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 13 Aug 2002
The PGA gets under way on Thursday and as is the case with all majors the event attracts a lot of interest from those who don't mind having a nibble at their favourite betting agency. The following offers a guide to those who may be considered a chance
From a betting angle the dominance in the betting of Tiger Woods offers plenty of value about some of the worlds leading players aside from the world's number one.
Tiger Woods: Tiger blew out some of the cobwebs from a lack of competitive golf of late with his four shot win in Michigan last week. He is clearly the man most likely on a golf course that appears built around his game (is there any that isn't?). This is, however, a 150 man field of the world's best golfers and as we saw at the British Open being the number one player in the world does not always guarantee success. If he plays close or at his best he will win, if not then there are plenty waiting to pounce. Two time winner of the PGA
Phil Mickelson: Somewhat of an enigma and his form his hard to read of late. An ordinary British Open followed by a very strange performance in Colorado where he was a victim of the early Thursday late Friday draw to some extent but an 85 in round two was a little disconcerting for Mickelson fans. It is hard to imagine a golf fan alive who would not welcome a Mickelson victory. He was 29th at the Buick last week but his form is hard to evaluate since his win in Hartford. Five top tens in eight starts in this event.
Ernie Els: Els is doing everything right of late. His win at the British Open was followed by a fourth place at the International. The fear of winning a major is not a factor here for Els with three already to his name. Should give a good account of himself. Morally the number two in the world if not statistically.
Sergio Garcia: Garcia nearly won his first attempt in this event when he took Tiger to the brink at Medinah in 1999. Always thereabouts of late with his 4th at the US Open, 8th at Muirfield and 18th in Colorado which included a third round 63. Must be some sort of chance.
Retief Goosen: Early season form seems to be returning with his 14th last week and his 8th at the British Open. Lost his way for a couple of months after the US Masters but seems back close to his best. Now one of the game's elite and should perform so.
Padraig Harrington: Harrington has moved to another level this year in terms of his position in world golf. 8th at the US Open, 5th at the British and third in Holland. If there was a surprise packet amongst the more favoured players then he may be it.
David Toms: Great consistency this year without winning and of course the defending champion. 8 top tens this year and was tenth last week. Not a real long hitter but his great iron play and putting may get him close to the top of the leader board, if not the top, anyway.
Vijay Singh: Singh seems to have lost his way of late. Previous champion but I can't have on current form.
Davis Love: A player who seems to have escaped the attention of most of late but a close look at his form is encouraging. He missed the final round cut at the International but that is not really a consideration for this week. Prior to that was 14th at the British Open, only three shots from the playoff and prior to that had consecutive runner ups in Chicago and Hartford. There are some juicy odds about for Love and may be worth taking. Three top tens in last four starts in this event
Justin Leonard: His form in recent months has been quite outstanding apart from the hiccup of a second round 82 in Colorado. Prior to that had ten top twenties in twelve starts including his win at the World Com event. Not long from the tee but has improved accuracy this year markedly. Four top tens in seven starts in this event
Jim Furyk: Another of the those players in the "best players yet to win a major" category. Recent months have been distracted by the arrival of his first child but last week's tenth redeemed a couple of missed cuts prior. He did win the Memorial five starts ago and was ninth at Westchester following so form is not too bad at all. Has had three top tens in this event in seven starts.
Longshots
Nick Price: Two-time winner in great form this year. Showed at the US Open (8th) that length will not bother him too much. Twelve top twenties last fourteen starts this year including 10th at the Western and 14th at the British. This is just the sort of event that Price can win again or give a good site even at age 45.
Bob Tway: Produced a miracle to win in Toledo in 1986 but has been playing very well of late including his sixth last week in Michigan.
Leading Australasians:
Peter Lonard: Lonard can't seem to do anything wrong this season and there appears to be no limits as to what he might achieve. His two best finishes in majors have been this year at the US Open (11th) and at the British Open (14th). Has played well since Muirfield with a third in Holland and 10th in Sweden. Has just the right type of game to excel on a course such as Hazeltine.
Stuart Appleby: In very good form of late with his fifth at the Western, then runner up at the British Open and his last start 22nd at the Buick. Fourth in this event in 2000.
Robert Allenby: Missed cuts last two outings is a little concerning. Played well prior to that however with a 12th at the US Open, 9th in Memphis and 10th at the Western. Only one top ten (10th) in twenty six majors is a concern
Steve Elkington: Has found a new lease of life with good performances at the British Open to nearly win after having to qualify. Apart from that his form of late has been solid but hardly spectacular. Previous winner of the event and has that stamp of class and is not scared to win. Was brought undone by perhaps too good of a shot in the playoff at Muirfield.
Greg Norman: Norman is playing well of late with good performances at British Open and in Colorado where he was fourth. The Colorado event however was probably one that did not penalise his inconsistency, brought about through intermittent play, as much as a strokeplay event will. The event perhaps owes him one (twice runner up) but as we know from experience golf does not seem to work that way.
Michael Campbell: It's almost as if Michael tries too hard in majors as his record would suggest. He is a much better player than no top tens in his last twelve majors would suggest. If he could get things in their right perspective then his talents would take him close but there is that concern.
