PGA Tour Betting: Three Against the Field at the Reno-Tahoe Open

Three Against The Field / Dan Geraghty / 03 August 2011 /

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Will you back Johnson this week?

"Johnson is a proven winner and won at this time of year (in Europe) last season. In a field that is short on star quality, that's enough for me to take a chance on him at the monster price of [170.00]."

Dan Geraghty selects a trio of long odds chances for this week's Reno-Tahoe Open, including a proven winner at a monster price.

Matt Bettencourt [75.0] starts most tournaments at a triple figure price, I often think that's a little unfair given his talent but his frequent disappointing results can be hard to defend. However, Matt is very talented and when his putter gets hot he is a force to be reckoned with. He won here last year and comes into this week off the back of his best result for many months (Tied 27th at the Greenbrier). He's an early Thursday tee time and will surely make his prescence felt on the leaderboard.

Straight from the horse's mouth (well, Twitter) that one of the competitors in Reno this week is in fine form (Romily Evans discusses the merits of twitter here). Richard S. Johnson [170.00] hit every fairway and every single green in regulation in practice last week and says he's excited that "his game is coming round". He's a proven winner and won at this time of year (in Europe) last season. In a field that is short on star quality, that's enough for me to take a chance on Johnson at the monster price of [170.00]. That price is pretty large when you think about it, no?

The third selection is a toss up between John Mallinger [110.00] and Roland Thatcher, both former column favourites and slightly better very recent form gets Mallinger the nod. Both have reasonable course form, bits and pieces of seasonal form and (probably) the ability to triumph in this company. I do worry that Mallinger is a Briny Baird (serial non winner) in waiting but will give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being.

Dangers:Roland Thatcher [300.00 +], close but no cigar. Robert Garrigus [26.0] has done enough recently to be considered favourite in this event but he's not reliable enough to take a short price about. Catch22. Bryce Molder [34.0] can count himself as one of the favourites in this field but will surely still struggle to get over the line. Will Mackenzie is a past winner here and another that I think is certain to be competitive this week.

Godspeed my friends (...also, back Tiger - the Punter agrees despite disclosing he doesn't think he'll win!!).

Selections: Matt Bettencourt [75.0], Richard S. Johnson [170.00], John Mallinger [110.0]

*follow me on twitter @dangeraghty10

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