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FINAL RESULT: 1-2; +4.00pts
Harrington
24th
Stricker 9th
Kim 5th
All three started the final round in the top-12 and Stricker did get
into the top-5 during the day, but it was Kim who looked more likely to stay
there. The wouldn't have caught Adam Scott, but if he hadn't three-putted when
driving the green at the par-4 12th hole or hadn't hit his approach shot into
the water on the final hole, it would have been a bigger payout.
Outright plays (total stake per play: 1pt)
Padraig Harrington to win
16/1 e.w. @
BetInternet
[6 places]
It's the week before the Masters and this is a very weak field, but Pod is not
one to use these events as merely warm-ups, no matter how much the course has
been designed to reflect the setup for next week's Major. In 2004, for example,
he finished 4th the week before the Masters and 2nd the week before the U.S.
Open. Though not entirely applicable to this week, his last PGA Tour victory
(2005 Barclays Classic) was the week after the U.S. Open. In short, he is too
good for these odds. In the last six months, he has played in 14 Tour events and
finished in the top-20 in 12 of them, including two victories. He is the only
player in this field who ranks in the top-10 in Scoring Average on the PGA Tour
and having gained course experience last year, he represents far better value
than others at the head of this poor field, such as the 16/1 available on K.J.
Choi.
Steve Stricker to win 33/1 e.w. @
BetInternet
[6 places]
A position inside the top-25 in Scoring Average on the PGA Tour gives Stricker a
lofty credential in this field, as does a return of two top-5 finishes from six
strokeplay events this year. Both of those were achieved on Bermuda greens and
so was his top-3 finish in this event last year when his 68-66 finish was the
best weekend score by anyone in the field. It all points to a decent chance of
another top-5 finish this week.
Anthony Kim to win 80/1 e.w. @
BetInternet
[6 places]
Taking a chance on Kim, who has not played this course previously, but showed no
problems when making his debut in Texas at the Texas Open last year and
finishing 2nd. And he has been in very good form over the last month as well,
finishing 9th in the Nissan Open, 13th after three rounds of the Honda Classic
and finishing 14th at the PODS Championship. And if this course is successfully
set up along the lines of Augusta National, his big-hitting (4th in driving
distance on the PGA Tour) should help his cause.