Golf Events / Paul Krishnamurty / 06 August 2009 /

Paul Krishnamurty has rooted through the WGC odds to find four players to back in today's three-balls.

13.41 Lucas Glover @ [2.3] (vs Immelman, Green)

Reigning US Open champion Glover looks a red-hot favourite here against two opponents with limited expectations this week. Glover remained in good form after landing that [450.0] shock at Bethpage, following up with fifth and 11th placed finishes. There are valid excuses for the following two missed cuts, the last of which hardly came as a surprise in the Open. As he finished fourth at Bridgestone in 2006 on his course debut, Glover is fancied for another good week.

Immelman's summer has been ruined by injury, and was in poor form beforehand anyway. The former Masters champion has only broken 70 twice this year, with a best finish of 19th place. Green seems a greater threat as a recent winner of the Canadian Open, but that was only his second top-20 of 2009, and came in very different, target golf conditions. Consequently, I doubt Glover will need to shoot particularly low in order to land this bet.


13.52 Hunter Mahan @ [2.4] (vs Weir, Scott)

Mahan is one of the hottest players on the planet right now, looking an imminent winner after sixth, fourth and second placed finishes on his last three US starts. Tenth at Firestone last year, he could well give Tiger a run for his money, and must be strongly fancied against these two vulnerable opponents.

Some players never get the hang of Firestone; with its punishing length and small, fast greens. Both Weir and Scott come into this category. Weir is normally very consistent in big events, so his failure to make a single top-20 from seven tries in this restricted field event reads poorly. Likewise, five of Scott's six attempts have produced a best of just 36th. I confidently expect the Aussie to struggle badly on these greens.


14.03 Rory Sabbatini @ [3.5] (vs Stricker, Fisher)

One never knows quite what to expect from the erratic Sabbatini, and for that reason the South African is never a man to take short-odds about. However, he could represent a bit of value here as the outsider of three, on a course where he has twice finished runner-up before.

Slight question marks surround both of his opponents. While Stricker is ultra-consistent, he has struggled in 41st and 43rd place in the last two years on this course. With Fisher, the concern is that he could become a victim of the infamous 'nappy factor'; when a player's immediate form dips after the distraction caused by the birth of their first child.


17.37 Lee Westwood @ [2.2] (vs Katayama, Curtis)

So long as there are no after-effects from the disappointment of blowing a golden opportunity to win the Open, Westwood could dominate this three-ball. Last year's fourth place - in contention all the way - confirmed Lee's suitability for Firestone, and nobody looked in better control of their long game at Turnberry.

Neither of his opponents have ever gone well on this course. Katayama's sole visit produced a finish of just 46th, and while Curtis is generally a great player of tough courses, his Firestone record is dire. His three results in this event, which never boasts a field bigger than 85 players are 80th, 42nd and 30th.

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