Deutsche Bank Championship Odds - Paddy’s slump is over

TIGER WOODS +150
PADRAIG HARRINGTON +1600
STEVE STRICKER +2000
ERNIE ELS +2000
PHIL MICKELSON +2200
VIJAY SINGH +3300
HUNTER MAHAN +3300
IAN POULTER +5000
STEVE MARINO +6600
HEATH SLOCUM +10000

The Deutsche Bank Championship odds mark the second stop on the PGA’s FedEx Cup “playoff” circuit and some interesting golf betting storylines are developing. Can Tiger cure his short-putt hiccups? Can lightning strike twice for Heath Slocum? Can Padraig Harrington end his slump?

Deutsche Bank Championship odds: Harrington consistently contending of late

• WHAT: The 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship
  
• WHEN: Friday, September 4 to Monday, September 7
  
• WHERE: The TPC of Boston in Norton, MA
  
• KEY STAT: Padraig Harrington has three straight top-10 finishes
  
• THE PICK: Padraig Harrington +1600

Surprise, surprise – our list of potential sportsbook picks starts with Tiger Woods (+150). While I do think the media are overblowing his “slump” – he has two-straight second-place finishes, he’s won five times this season and he leads the FedEx Cup standings – I wouldn’t pick him this week. He is having little hiccups on the crucial short-to-medium-length putts he usually makes, so why would you invest in him when he gives you such little value? Only bet on Tiger when he’s a sure thing, and he isn’t this week.

Padraig Harrington (+1600) could be your man for the Deutsche Bank Championship odds. 2009 has been pretty nightmarish for him, but his swing is improving and he’s contended three straight weeks, with two second-place finishes and a 10th-place. He’s a good course manager and he’s done a good job scrambling this season, so I like his chances.

Next up is Steve Stricker at +2000. He’s enjoyed quite the season, winning twice, posting five top-five finishes and ranking second on Tour in scoring average. However, as he showed on the 18th at the Barclays last week, he still tenses up on Sundays in high-profile events. You’re better off picking him in Mickey Mouse tournaments where he bullies weak fields.

You can’t forget about Vijay Singh at +3300 based on his track record. He owns the course record at the TPC of Boston (61) and the aggregate score record for the Deutsche Bank Championship odds – a tournament he’s won twice, including last year. You have to consider him because of his listed value, but he’s probably an online betting trap. He’s playing bad golf right now. Case in point; he won the Barclays in 2008 and defended his title last week by...missing the cut.

What about Heath Slocum at +10000? The odds of an obscure fellow like him winning two weeks in a row are slim, but stranger things have happened. How often does the previous week’s winner give you +10000 value? Insanity.

MARCO’S PICK: Time for Paddy’s suffering to end. He’s playing good golf right now despite his recent collapses and his scrambling and putting ability should make him consistent all weekend. Bet on Padraig Harrington.

Check out our sportsbook for full Deutsche Bank Championship odds and keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com for all your sports betting needs.

Marco Sussman isn't too bad on the links, reportedly a five handicap. But, he's great in the sports betting game. He'll watch just about anything you put in front of him, but golf is what really gets his juices flowing. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.