Memorial odds - Conditions are perfect for Tiger's redemption
TIGER WOODS +275
PAUL CASEY +1400
JIM FURYK +2200
VIJAY SINGH +2200
ZACH JOHNSON +2200
KENNY PERRY +2000
STEVE STRICKER +3300
SEAN O'HAIR +2500
GEOFF OGILVY +2800
ERNIE ELS +4000
Memorial odds: Muirfield Village’s fairways are easy to hit
- WHAT: The Memorial Tournament
- WHEN: Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7
- WHERE: Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH
- KEY STAT: In 2008, over 70 per cent of drives on par 4s and 5s at the Memorial found the fairway
- PICK: Tiger Woods +275
When you bet on sports betting golf odds, there are two type of Tiger Woods (+275) tournaments; events he’s favored to win “because he’s Tiger Woods” and events he’s favored to win because the conditions – the style and length of the course, his strengths and weaknesses – are actually well-suited to him. Unfortunately for anyone who likes to win big on the underdogs, this week’s Memorial odds represent the latter. Tiger’s game still isn’t where he needs it to be entering the U.S. Open, but Muirfield village will forgive his faults. It’s no picnic – it ranked as the fifth-toughest course on tour last year – but it caters to Tiger’s strengths.
Sportsbook players know Tiger’s Achilles heel in 2009 golf odds has been his driving accuracy. When he (rarely) finds the fairway, his approach shots are 14 feet closer to the hole on average. Unlike some of the recent PGA tracks, which were short and narrow and thus favored accurate hitters like Zach Johnson, Muirfield village is long and fairly wide. Over 70 per cent of drives last year hit the fairway on par 4s and 5s, meaning Tiger is set up well for success. He has three career Memorial odds victories and six top-fives at Jack Nicklaus’s tourney, so he’s set up well for success.
If you can’t stand picking the Memorial odds favorite when you bet online, Vijay Singh (+2200) could sneak up this week. With three top-20s in his last three starts, he’s showing that his knee surgery early this season is behind him. He has the length to handle Muirfield Village and his scrambling has been outstanding of late; that’s important since the greens at the Memorial odds are very hard to hit.
Steve Stricker (+3300) really turned it on in the playoff last week en route to his Colonial win. His accuracy stats are outstanding (top 10 in putting average, greens in regulation, proximity to hole) but he only has two top-25 in nine starts at the Memorial odds, so he’s no sure thing.
Kenny Perry (+2000) owns the Memorial odds, with three wins and over 10 top-25s in 20 starts in the tourney. However, he’s once again a trap golf odds pick. He still hasn’t proven he’s over his Masters collapse. His finishes since then: 59th, 22nd and 34th. He was supposed to dominate at Colonial last week because of his great history there, but he failed. Why should anything change this week?
Zach Johnson (+2200) is on fire this season, but he’s a perfect example of why it’s important to research the course each week before you make your golf betting picks. Johnson played great at short tracks in the Texas Open, which he won, and the Colonial last week, but he’s one of the shortest hitters in golf, so the Memorial odds are a big challenge for him. You best spend your money elsewhere.
MARCO’S PICK: Some people consider it “boring” to pick Tiger Woods, but he’s the best golf bet this week based on every possible statistical factor. This week won’t necessarily start a hot streak for him, but it certainly could help his confidence going forward. Bet on Tiger Woods.
For golf lines and more golf betting tips, check out the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
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.
