Betfair Official Blog

The Barclays Classic offers betting value

This year's Barclays Classic will see the launch of a new chapter in the history of the PGA Tour with the start of the first-ever FedExCup play-offs and there could be plenty betting value for both backers and layers.

The field of 144, the highest points scorers in America in 2007, will tee off at Westchester Golf Club on August 23 knowing that they will have been whittled down to 120 players in the betting by the end of the week under the conditions of the new system.

Former world number one Vijay Singh is the defending champion and is likely to be a popular bet at inviting odds having won the event three times during his career.

But, with the tournament having been moved from its usual slot in the schedule in June to August and the New York course measuring under 7,000 yards, the odds are it will be playing a lot shorter than that and those looking to have a bet should note it could reward attacking play.

Nowhere is this is more true than the inviting 525-yard par five 18th hole, which is likely to play a key role in determining the final winner and where betting fortunes can fluctuate depending on the risk-and-reward strategy adopted by players.

Singh has shown a liking for Westchester's West Course after landing bets to win the trophy in 1993, 1995 and last year. With two wins already to his name in 2007, Singh will be prominent in the betting behind world number one Tiger Woods - the FedExCup points leader at the end of the regular season.

Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia, the main protagonists at this year's Open Championship, also have winning form in the event and could be available at attractive odds.

Harrington won here two years ago while Garcia has gone one better than the Open champion, winning in 2001 and 2004, and both players are in the sort of form to give backers a good run for their bets.

World number two Jim Furyk has twice finished runner-up in the tournament but those considering a bet will note he is struggling to overcome a back injury and it could be best to follow his fortunes in the in-play betting rather than bet too far ahead of the event.

Australian Adam Scott makes appeal in the betting after following Singh home here last year while Englishmen Luke Donald and Justin Rose could also be worth a bet at attractive odds.

Donald, joint fifth in the event last year, has already managed five top-ten finishes in 2007 and should be considered in the Top Ten Finish betting while Rose has surged up the FedExCup points table since recovering from a back injury and could be a good bet.

Keen an eye out, too, for veteran Jeff Maggert who has a good record at the tournament having twice finished second and is expected to start at long odds.