FBR Open Odds – Mickelson favored for hometown win
Sportsbook odds: Weir iron-and-putting game will seal it
- WHO: 129 of the PGA’s best golfers
- WHAT: The FBR Open
- WHEN: Thursday, January 29 to Sunday, February 1
- WHERE: TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, AZ
- KEY STATS: J.B. Holmes has won two of the last three tournaments here
- PICK: Mike Weir
This week’s FBR Open odds come from the ever-popular TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This tournament is known for the amphitheatre-style 16th hole, where the crowd is the largest on the PGA Tour. FBR Open odds are backing “hometown” favorite Phil Mickelson to win in his first PGA appearance this season, but J.B. Holmes is the reigning king of Scottsdale.
Mickelson is the favorite at +800 online betting odds this weekend, and “Lefty” won here in 1996 and 2005. Mickelson is from San Diego, but he went to school at nearby Arizona State, whose students make the 16th hole at Scottsdale one of the most boisterous places in all of sports. The three-time major winner finished second in a playoff here last year, so you can bet that Mickelson will be eager to make his large galleries proud.
J.B. Holmes is the man who beat Mickelson in last year’s playoff, and you can snag him at a great value of +4000 this weekend. Holmes also won here in 2006, and his long-hitting style gets the crowd behind him. Holmes has gotten off to a slow start this season with a missed-cut and a 29th-place finish, and maybe a trip back to a familiar (and successful) course will be the spark to Holmes’ season.
A pair of Canadians will be looking to build on solid starts to the season as Mike Weir (+2200) and Stephen Ames (+3300) finished third and fifth, respectively, at last week’s Bob Hope Classic. Weir failed to make the Top-40 here last year, while Ames was absent, but look for both to be a force this weekend in Scottsdale.
Anthony Kim returns to the tour after missing last week’s tournament with an injury, and the young star has FBR Open odds of +1200. Kim could play with Mickelson, as the two were one of the Unites States’ best pairings in the Ryder Cup last season, and not only would this be good for the galleries, but it could also be good for both players.
MARCO’S PICK: Mickelson plays well here most of the time, feeding off his adoring fans, while Holmes has acquired a following based on his success at Scottsdale. Kim will probably make one spectacular shot on 16th but, coming off an injury, I can’t back him.
Bet on Mike Weir this weekend, as the TPC Scottsdale isn’t particularly long, which plays into Weir’s strong iron-and-putting game. Make the 2003 Masters champion your FBR Open odds pick.
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?
