Th Nov 3 - 17.00 BST (SS2)
Fr Nov 4 - 17.00 BST (SS2)
Sa Nov 5 - 17.00 BST (SS2)
Su Nov 6 - 17.00 BST (SS2)
This week’s Tour championship from East Lake, Atlanta, Georgia, is the
climax to the official US season, but for the bigger names on show, this
could be one tournament too many. No guessing who’s favourite, but do you
really want to be backing Tiger at 13/5 considering his persistent
inaccuracy off the tee and the fact that he’s not at his best on par-70
courses. He’s not for me, and neither is Vijay Singh (can’t putt for toffee)
or previous course winner Retief Goosen, who would have been the pick but
for some extremely shoddy play last week. So, with Woods’ immediate rivals
unlikely to prosper, there has to a chance of an upset this week.
Georgia native Charles Howell is worth a bet on his record in this event
alone. When he first qualified for this event in 2002, he battled Vijay all
the way before finishing second, and followed that with another second place
finish in 2003. On both occasions, he held the lead going into the weekend
(which makes him an interesting bet at 14/1 to be ‘First Round Leader’), and
he’s been playing nicely this month too. Last week’s 16th spot was a good
effort under pressure as it secured him his place in the field, and the
in-form home town player simply has to be backed at 33/1 (35/1 Enhanced Win
Only Odds).
There would be more confidence in the second selection, Chad Campbell, if
the event was being played in his home state of Texas, the scene of his 2003
Tour Championship victory. However, last week’s close call in the Chrysler
Championship bodes well for his chances here, and he’ll see this as an
opportunity to close what has been a largely disappointing year by his
standards in style. The 25/1 (28/1 EWO) could look big come Sunday, but even
then you’re assured of getting on via our live ‘In-Play Console.’
At much bigger odds this week, I also like the look of Sean O’Hair. The
23-year-old has had a fantastic rookie season on Tour, winning his first
title at the John Deere Classic in July. That win allowed him to play in the
Open at St Andrews, and by finishing 15th there, he showed that he was going
to be a big-time player. Despite this success, he was still allowed to go
off at 100/1 for the Chrysler Championship last week, where he almost
rewarded each way support by finishing tenth. In this week’s limited field
(only top-30 on Tour qualify), and with question marks over his better
fancied rivals, he looks a great each way bet at the bet365 standout price
of 66/1 (1/4 odds 1.2.3.4)
