Golf Betting Update; Verizon Heritage with the bookmakers making Furyk their 16/1 favourite

Added: (Tue Apr 14 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - VERIZON HERITAGE

WHERE: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

COURSES CHARACTERISTICS: The tournament has been played at the same venue since its inception in 1969 and has always followed the Masters. It’s in complete contrast to Augusta not only in yardage, being a mere 6,973yds compared to 7,445yds, but also with the layout being narrow there’s a slight claustrophobic feel to it. Particularly the driving areas enclosed by tall pines, which along with the waste areas and water hazards only leave about 27 acres of actual playing area. Not only that but the greens are amongst the smallest on the tour. It ranks as one of the toughest on the schedule and in 2007 it was the 19th most difficult layout, while in 2005 it reached fourth place and the only par five on the back nine, the 15th, was rated the most difficult on the whole of the tour that year. The other par fives offer birdie opportunities but the four short holes are all tricky. The 18th is one of golf’s most spectacular finishing holes as the players aim their tee shots towards the famous lighthouse.

THE MAIN MEN


JIM FURYK: Apart from a missed cut in 2007 he has finished no worse than 15th in six starts this century in the Heritage and twice occupied the runner-up position. Came home in fourth last year with all rounds in the 60s, a feat only one other player (Aaron Baddeley) achieved and was tied fifth for pars made and tied eighth for putts per round. He could have been challenging Weekley with a little bit of luck on the last day. For instance, he was close to the hole at the seventh but misread the green and then missed a six-footer for birdie on the ninth. But he made the turn in three-under and looked on course for a good finish. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make any further headway over the next four holes and dropped a shot at the 11th, while there were missed birdie opportunities at 14 through to 18th inclusive. Nevertheless, his accurate from the tee and is great around the greens, so his game is perfect for Harbour Town. Arrives in South Carolina following a superb 10th in the Masters last Sunday, although he faltered somewhat on the final day as he had begun it in fifth place but fired a one-over 73 to drop out of contention. That came after he had missed the cut at Bay Hill, while his third in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral was made up of four rounds in the 60s. Kicked off his Transitions campaign with a 65 to share the first round lead but seemed to lose the plot from thereon in and struggled to make 52nd place. Hard to know how he will be react to his Augusta finish but if all is well he should certainly be in contention come Sunday tea-time. BEST PRICE: 16-1

CAMILO VILLEGAS: Looks to be finally figuring out how to play Hilton Head as his tied seventh finish last year was easily the best result he's produced from three outings there. He came home with seven birdies in the fourth round and was the top player over the four days with 23, while he also tied for second for driving distance, ninth for putts per GIR and tied 16th for GIR. The middle two rounds were his downfall as he carded 10 bogeys. Although the young Colombian has missed three cuts this season so far, he's also been picking up plenty of dollars to bolster his bank balance. Began 2009 with a steady, if unspectacular, 12th in the Mercedes-Benz Championship and then following an early exit from the FBR Open bounced back at Torrey Pines when opening with a 63 on the North Course to grab the first round lead. He remained in front at the halfway stage before successive rounds in the 70s saw him drop back to third. Played well in the World Match Play event but did even better in Miami where he posted three sub-70 scores on his way to a fifth place finish. He was also fifth in the driving accuracy and GIR charts at Doral, which are pretty useful figures considering how tough a course the Blue Monster is. Recovered from a poor opening round of 73 to post a 69 in the second of the Masters last week before eventually finishing a highly respectable 13th after firing a three-under 69 on Sunday. BEST PRICE: 18-1

AARON BADDELEY: Has not finished outside the top-10 in the past three seasons, collecting the title in 2006 and sharing the runner-up spot last term. He was one of only two golfers (Jim Furyk being the other) to complete four rounds in the 60s in 2008 and he was one of the few players to get anything going on the back nine on the last day as he holed out for birdies at the 15th and 16th. It might also have been a different story if one or two of his iron shots had been more on target during the fourth round. Nevertheless, 25 putts was pretty good going as he recorded the highest number of pars made in four starts at Hilton Head, while he's 27-under par on the par fives. The Scottsdale resident has found life tough since his second in this tournament 12 months ago and has only managed one other top-10 (BMW Championship in September). However, there have been some signs of a revival in his fortunes in 2009 with a 12th in Qatar and an 11th in the Buick Invitational where he started with a 66 and also at the Masters last week were he signed for a 68 on day one. A couple of dodgy rounds followed but he finished in good style with a 69 to take 17th and as he was never really contending for the title he shouldn’t suffer too much following those exertions. BEST PRICE: 25-1

ERNIE ELS: This has been one of the South African’s most profitable events in the US over the years. Although he missed the cut last term for the first time in 10 starts, he had previously finished in the top-10 on seven other occasions, coming closest to winning when occupying the runner-up position behind Boo Weekley two years ago. He rattled off two rounds of 65 that season to lead the field at the halfway stage but blew his chance of glory on the 17th of final day when driving into the hazard behind the green for a bogey and then on the 18th he missed a putt of less than two-feet which would have forced a play-off. Didn’t make it to the weekend at Augusta, which was only his second missed cut from 10 outings in 2009, but has been playing fairly steadily so far this term beginning with a sixth in the Mercedes-Benz Championship and reaching the quarter-finals of the World Match Play. Prior to the Masters he had secured three consecutive top-25s, the best of which was his 14th in the Houston Open, which included a second round score of 66 and a tied seventh for putts per round. Currently sits in seventh place on the tour for GIR and 22nd for scrambling and given his previous record at Hilton Head he’s not one to dismiss lightly. BEST PRICE: 25-1

KEVIN NA: Only missed the cut once in five starts in the Heritage and has two top-20s and a tied for fourth among his other attempts. His best effort so far being a share of fourth place two years ago when he entered the last day in second spot only to fire a 73 in the fourth round. Finished strongly at Hilton Head in 2008 when he recovered from a third round 73 to shoot a 68 to secure a share of 17th spot. Top-10s for birdies and putts per GIR showed that he was reading the subtitles of the greens with confidence and he was also in the top-20 for driving accuracy. The one area of his game that failed to fire properly was his iron play. He’s in the form of his life at the moment with four top-10s already secured this year, the highlight being his solo third in the FBR Open, an event he clearly enjoys as he has yet to post a round above par. His fifth in the Mayakoba Classic at the end of February included a 62 on the second day to take the halfway lead, while he climbed 27 places after a fourth round score of 67 (joint-second lowest) to take eighth place in the Transitions Championship where once again he excelled with the flatstick as he came out best for putts per GIR, second for birdies and tied fourth for putts per round. A winner on the Nationwide tour three years ago, he now seems ready to break his duck on the main circuit. BEST PRICE: 33-1

BOO WEEKLEY: Will be aiming to preserve his 100 per cent record in the tournament and complete a hat-trick having landed the title for the past two years. Having chipped in for par at the last two holes in 2007, the turning point in 2008 was probably his 78yd chip for birdie at the par four 10th which helped him to a three-stroke win over Aaron Baddeley and Anthony Kim. In doing so he became the first back-to-back winner since Davis Love (1991/92) and the eighth player since 1960 to secure his first two tour titles in the same contest. Although his accuracy off the tee at Harbour Town has not always been up to standard he has made up for it in other areas of his game there. He was tied for eighth for GIR last year, while 12 months earlier he topped the putting charts, while he is 18-under on the par fives. Just missed out on a near perfect scorecard last term having posted seven rounds in the 60s he had to settle for an even par 71 on the Sunday of the competition. Made a steady start to 2009 with a 15th and ninth in the Mercedes-Benz Championship and Sony Open but his game seems to have gone off the boil since as he’s missed a cut and failed to break into the top-50 in any of his subsequent events, although he has made the cut. However, there were some encouraging signs from his last two outings as he was third for driving accuracy, ninth for distance and posted top-20s for GIR in both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Transitions Championship. BEST PRICE: 33-1

STEWART CINK: Being long and not very accurate off the tee, it’s surprising that he has won this title twice and produced three other top-10s. Took home the first prize five years ago but struggled for the next three before bouncing back when tying for seventh in 2008 when he was joint-second for driving distance, tied third for birdies and fourth for GIR. His direction from the tee being his main downfall. Yet to reach top form this term and missed the cut at Augusta last week, although is not always such a bad thing as players in contention there sometimes struggle to make an impact at Harbour Town. Produced his best when reaching the semi-finals of the World Match Play and sneaked into the top-30 in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but apart from that it has been a pretty dismal year so far. Like Love he has to be worth a look purely on his record in this tournament. BEST PRICE: 35-1

ROBERT ALLENBY: The Aussie star has only played in this tournament four times this century and 2008 was the first time he broke into the top-20 but considering he recorded a hole-in-one at the par three fourth on the second day on his way to a 66 it’s no wonder he’s come back for more. Two 71s followed as he slipped down the leaderboard to 14th position but his stats were pretty good as he was No.1 for eagles, fifth for GIR and tied 15th for driving accuracy, all of which are key factors at the tight Hilton Head course. Hasn’t missed a cut since the Sony Open in January 2008 although he remained winless last term he produced career-best numbers, 11th in the Money List, over $3.6m in earnings, most cuts made (27), nine top-10s and 17 top-25s. Finished the Australian season with a third in the Open Championship in December and looked close to winning form when fifth in the Honda Classic where he blasted out of the traps with a 66 to grab the first round lead and remained very much in contention for the next three rounds. Also seemed to have his game in good shape in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill where he shared the second day’s best score with a bogey-free five-under 65 having holed five birdies in the first 14 holes. Despite eventually finish 11th there was plenty of encouragement to be gleaned from that performance and his three par rounds of 72 last week at Augusta as he came home in 38th spot. Has failed to win on the US tour since 2001 but the signs are there that he could finally turn some of those top-10s into first places. BEST PRICE: 40-1

DAVIS LOVE: Has the most outstanding record in the tournament with five wins and six other top-10s, despite his game not seeming to really fit at Harbour Town. His last win was in 2003, while he shared second spot two years later and although he eventually finished a well-beaten 36th 12 months ago he produce a couple of decent rounds, starting with a 66 on the first day and a 69 in the third round to secure a top-10 place going into the final stage. Unfortunately, five bogeys and a double-bogey blew any lasting hope he might have had of taking a hand in the finish, but he did secure a top-10 for pars and sand saves. Rounded off 2008 with a win in the Children’s Miracle Network Classis and began 2009 by posting a second in the Mercedes-Benz Championship, but apart from a 13th in the Honda Classic most of the season so far has been somewhat of a struggle, although he’s only missed two paydays so far. Cannot be completely dismissed when playing in his favourite tournament. BEST PRICE: 45-1

SCOTT VERPLANK: Obviously loves playing in South Carolina as he’s taken part in the Heritage 14 times and managed to post three top-10s, the latest being in 2005, and has only missed the cut on two occasions. He has twice finished top for driving accuracy at the course along with four other top-10s in that category and although he has five top-25s for GIR, that’s definitely one area of his game that needs improving at this week’s venue. His game appeared to be coming to the boil two outings ago with a fourth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational but a 76 on the last day of the Houston Open was disappointing. On the bright side, he topped the charts for fairways hit in both contests and was in the top-20 for putting as well. Considering his ability to stay out of trouble from off the tee (currently eighth for driving accuracy on the tour) he should be able to step up on his poor showing in this tournament last term when down among the also-rans in 53rd place. BEST PRICE: 60-1

CHARLES HOWELL: Returned to Hilton Head for the first time in six years when tying for 12th last term, his second top-20 in three starts. He played the greens well as he was in the top-20 in both putting charts and for pars made. It was the eight bogeys he signed for that ruined his chances as he blasted out of the traps with a 67 on the first day. He’s only missed the cut once in 10 outings this term and posted two top fives, fourth in the Sony Open and second in the Transitions Championship, while there was also a respectable 22nd finish in the Arnold Palmer event. His effort in the Transitions contest was his best since he won at Riviera two years previously and at one point he looked on course for victory as he was tied for the lead with four holes to play. Unfortunately, two consecutive bogeys followed as he fired a 69 to round off his four-day campaign. However, his stats at the Florida venue were excellent, with top-10s for birdies, GIR and putts per GIR, while he also fired a superb 66 on the second day. Seems to be edging closer to another to a third career win and should be in with a shout come Sunday. BEST PRICE: 66-1

MATT KUCHAR: The Florida-born golfer has produced two top-10s in his last three appearances in this tournament with last seasons tied seventh being the best so far. That finish was one of a career-best five top-10s for him in 2008 and helped him to secure his most profitable ($1.4m) year to date. Was seven-under par for the last 36 holes at Hilton Head and the 54 pars he made were the best in the contest, while he also shared sixth place for GIR. Hasn’t missed a cut since his first event of the year, the Sony Open, and played extremely well to secure a sixth in the FBR Open where he was in the top-10 for putting and eight-under on the par fours having began the competition with successive rounds of 67. Nothing wrong with his last-time-out 12th in the Transitions Championship, although he will have been slightly disappointed that he didn’t perform better on the fourth day as he went into it in seventh spot. However, he blew his chances with two bogeys on the front nine and two on the home stretch, but he did secure top-20s for birdies and pars. Can be a bit hit-and-miss but if everything is firing in unison than he’s a player to keep on the right side of. BEST PRICE: 66-1

BO VAN PELT: Hinted that he could conquer Hilton Head when tying for 10th two years ago, but reverted to type with a 49th in 2008, but he has now made the cut in each of the last three years. Topped the driving distance charts in 2006 and was ninth 12 months ago. He’s capable of firing some low scores when everything clicks as it did in the Bob Hope where he posted five rounds in the 60s and when he kicked off the Mayakoba Classic with a 63 followed by a 67 in the third round to grab the lead going into the last day. Came home strongly in the Transitions Championship a couple of weeks ago when his fourth round score of 66 was the best of the day, while he went into the last round of the Houston Open out in front after reeling off eight birdies for a four-under 68. However, five bogeys and a double-bogey to finish his campaign at Redstone gave him no hope of mounting a challenge but on the plus side he was tied seventh for GIR and tied eighth for birdies. BEST PRICE: 70-1

BRETT QUIGLEY: He’s one of the local hopes this week. Although he was born in Maine he attended the University of South Carolina, so had plenty of opportunity to play at this week’s venue. Had a career-best season in 2006 when he earned in excess of $2m for the first time and one of the 10 top-10s he secured was a fifth in this tournament. The last two years have been blighted by injury; mainly a problem with his right knee which required surgery and it has taken until this term for him to finally return to anywhere near full fitness. He’s amply demonstrated his return to form recently with his latest four appearances yielding a 13th and two runner-up finishes. He missed out by a stroke in both the Puerto Rico Open and the Transitions Championship, with the latter probably be the better performance when chasing home Retief Goosen as the other event was a weakly-contested affair. At the Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida he recovered from an opening round of 73 to reel off three of 68, the final one containing a bogey-free back nine. He played the greens well that week as he was in the top-10 in both putting categories and his approach came up to scratch with a tied 13th for GIR. Although he missed the cut last time out in the Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill and remains winless on the PGA tour after 13 years of trying, his turn must come soon if he continues to play as well as he has at times in 2009, and it could be this week. BEST PRICE: 75-1


SELECTIONS: Ernie Els, Charles Howell, Kevin Na, Brett Quigley



• All prices correct at time of writing.

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