Buick Invitational

FINAL RESULT: 2-1; +42.00pts

Howell 2nd
Lehman 2nd
Lonard 14th

That's a nice result! Could have been even better as early on Sunday, Lehman was 1st and Howell and Lonard 2nd, but the toll of playing two days in the final group with Tiger Woods finally wore down Lehman and Lonard.

Outright plays (1.5pts):

Charles Howell to finish in the top-five 12/1 @ GolfingGods
Siding with three players in good form, but without the best history of closing the deal. Against a field that includes Woods, Singh, Els and Mickelson, place-only looks the best option. Howell looked impressive last week in Hawaii and can claim a 7th place at Torrey Pines two years ago despite opening with a 74 and a particularly good record in the Nissan Open, also held in California. So long as he doesn't actually lead the tournament, he could pull off another late charge to earn a place win.

Tom Lehman to finish in the top-five 17/1 @ Expekt
Lehman's last six starts on the PGA Tour read 4th, 17th, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 9th and the main reason for that play has been his greens-in-regulation stats, for which he ranked 2nd last week. His putter was cold last week, but so long as his tee-to-green play is as strong, he will prosper around the much harder courses at Torrey Pines. In his eight visits, the Ryder Cup captain has finished in the top-25 seven times and in this form, it will certainly be eight from nine.

Peter Lonard to finish in the top-five 30/1 @ GolfingGods
Backed Lonard last week and he missed the cut. However he still retained at extremely high odds, more than twice as high as those offered by SkyBet. He does have course experience with a top-25 finish in his previous start in 2002 despite an opening 75 and his form last month was as good as it has ever been. If last week blew off some cobwebs from his competitive game, this week could see a return to the former Peter Lonard. Certainly worth a punt at these odds.