Football Previews
The 2013 WGC Bridgestone Invitational gets underway this thursday (1st-4th Aug) at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio with 75 players taking part for the $1.4 million winners prize just one week before the US PGA Championship begins at the Oak Hill Country Club.
Keegan Bradley won this event last year and is currently 40/1 with bookmakers.
He has had 5 top 10 finishes this year and managed to finish 15th in the Open Championship two weeks ago and is sure to be popular with punters big odds.
As always, Tiger Woods is clear favourite with bookmakers despite the quality field.
The winner will receive 550 FedExCup points which may be crucial with the top 4 (Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedker & Phil Mickelson) separated by less than 400 points.
Betting odds are below (subject to change/vary, click to enlarge):
Phil Mickelson is 14/1 second favourite despite winning the Open Championship and prior to that, the Scottish Open.
Masters champion Adam Scott is 18/1 and after a very good performance in the Open Championship (tied 3rd), he is sure to have his followers despite finishing tied 45th here last year.
Brandt Snedeker won the Canadian Open this weekend and could feature.
US Open Champion Justin Rose missed the cut at the Open Championship and may feature at odds of 22/1.
Matt Kuchar challenged for the Canadian Open title and being one of the most consistent players on tour, he will have plenty of supporters at odds of 22/1.
Lee Westwood looked like winning the Open Championship on the final day before crumbling late (25/1).
Hunter Mahan led the Canadian Open before withdrawing due to his wife going into labour. He has played consistently well this year and will have his supporters at 25/1.
Dustin Johnson was in contention to win the Canadian Open before driving his ball out of bounds on the 17th (28/1).
Course form can count for a lot and players to look out for who competed last year inclucde Jim Furyk (tied 2nd – 50/1), Steve Stricker (tied 2nd, 33/1), Rory Mcilroy (tied 5th, 28/1), Jason Dufner (7th, 45/1), Bo Van Pelt (tied 8th, 80/1).
Gamingtips Prediction: Firestone can be a very tricky golf course and for that reason, backing in form, overpriced players each-way has to be the best approach from a betting perspective.
Paul Casey won the Irish Open earlier this year (80/1), Zach Johnson has been in contention in many tournaments this year and led the Open Championship after day 1 (55/1), Luke Donald (40/1) and Henrik Stenson (40/1) have both been in good form this year and offer value from an each-way perspective.
Two massively overpriced contenders are Harris English (125/1) and Boo Weekely (175/1) – two excellent iron players.
Whatever the result may be, we can be sure that we will be treated to another four days of thrilling action and although betting odds are very subjective, it will be interesting to see how pre-tournament favourite, Tiger Woods fairs this week.
UK viewers can enjoy the action live on Sky Sports. International listings will vary.
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