PGA Golf Betting Preview – Singh goes for third straight win at Bellervie
Bet sports – BMW Championship
WHO: The top 70 golfers remaining in the PGA’s FedEx Cup playoffs
WHAT: The BMW Championship, the third event in the four-tournament playoffs
WHEN: September 4-7, 2008
WHERE: Bellervie Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri
KEY STATS: Tiger Woods won this event with a -22 score in 2007
There is no hotter golfer in the world right now than Vijay Singh, who has torn through the first two events of the FedEx Playoffs. Singh can wrap up the title with a win at the BMW Championship at Bellervie Country Club, which hasn’t hosted a PGA event since Nick Price won the PGA Championship back in 1992.
Tiger Woods is the defending champion but, with the world’s No.1 player on the sidelines and the best PGA golf odds available, Singh is the prohibitive favorite heading into Bellervie.
Singh shot a blistering final-round 63 to claim the Deustche Bank Championship last week, beating Mike Weir by five strokes. The secret to the 27-year veteran’s success: the putter is HOT. Singh made three birdie putts of 35 feet or more, including a 60-footer on the 14th hole that essentially clinched the tournament.
Singh has won three of his last six events, but he missed the cut in the other three events, including the final two majors of the year. With offshore sportsbook odds of +600, it will be interesting to see if Singh can continue his success with the flatstick.
Sergio Garcia is next at +900 golf betting lines, and the Spaniard has also been playing very well lately, racking up three straight top-fives, including a pair of runner-up finishes. Garcia is another player who can have a streaky putter but, when it’s on, look out. He hits the greens in regulation 66.2% of the time, which opens up a ton of birdie opportunities.
Mike Weir faltered down the stretch at the Deutsche Bank Championship, but he did hang on to second behind Singh with a final-round 72. Weir is now 1-9 when having the 54-hole lead, but it isn’t because of a lack of skill, as his opening-round 61 proves.
The 2003 Masters champion simply needs to close better, and this fault probably has something to do with his PGA betting odds of +2200.
Camilo Villegas was the hot player in the third round with a 63, but a final-round 73 left him short of his first career win on the PGA Tour. Nevertheless, Villegas finished with a more-than-respectable T-3, and it’s only a matter of time before the 26-year-old finds the winner’s circle. He could be a great value pick with PGA betting odds of +3300.
Marco’s Analysis: With the reduced field of 70 for the BMW Championship, Singh will have less players to deal with if he wants a third consecutive victory. That said, the cream of the PGA crop (non-Tiger division) is still here and they will be ready to compete.
Garcia has been knocking on the door lately and he’d love win, not only put pressure on Singh at the top of the FedEx Cup standings, but to build momentum for the upcoming Ryder Cup.
Bet on Sergio Garcia to win his first event since The Players’ Championship this weekend.
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.
