Shell Houston Open Betting: Three-ball bets for day one

Three Ball Bets / Dan Geraghty / 28 March 2012 /

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Paul Casey is coming back to form

"Casey won at Redstone Golf Club in 2009 so it's the perfect venue to continue his rehabilitation."

It's the penultimate tournament before the Masters and most of the Augusta field are present and correct in Houston, but who will be looking to warm-up and who will be looking to win? Dan Geraghty picks four of the latter in his weekly three-ball betting column

There's plenty of talent in Texas this week so we'll shift away from the European Tour and take our three-ball bets from across the pond.

Paul Casey [2.5] has only played in two events this season and has understandably been a little rusty following the shoulder injury that kept him out of the first part of the year. Sure, he missed the cut last time out at the Transitions, but there have been encouraging signs, he shot a 68 on the Saturday at the WGC Cadillac Championship and even scored a hole in one on the Sunday - an ace that Paul's caddy 'Wee man' Craig Connelly thought had secured him half a car.

Casey won at Redstone Golf Club in 2009 so it's the perfect venue to continue his rehabilitation. The Englishman has a favourable three-ball for the first two days play and with a little improvement from his first two outings should be able to put some daylight between himself and the out-of-form pair, Graham De Laet and Boo Weekley.

Some, me included, expected Rickie Fowler [2.4] to start the year with a bang following his win in Korea late last year. That hasn't really happened but we are getting towards the real heart of the golf season, now is the time to hit form. Rickie has only played this tournament once and despite making the cut, struggled to a 65th place finish, but recent tweets suggest he absolutely loves the place. After a few weeks off I'm expecting him to come out firing, leaving Marc Leishman and Vaughn Taylor in his wake.

Chris Kirk [2.6] was hugely impressive here last year with four rounds in the 60s and only an inspired Phil Mickelson was too good that week. Kirk is out-of-form himself, but on his return to Houston he finds himself with two struggling playing partners and should be backed at [2.6] to continue where he left off here last year. One thing to bear in mind however... Kirk says he found it hard to tear himself away from his new young family this week.

Finally, I will throw 1 point at Anthony Kim [4.1], yes the same Anthony Kim that shot 83 on Sunday last week. This course should suit the 26-year-old better, he'll be able to spray it around off the tee without being punished too much; he won here in 2010 and is up against a man that can't putt (Ernie). Godspeed Anthony.

Season Profit / Loss: -14.02

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