2008 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Picks & Odds
July 28, 2008
With only one week remaining till the final major of the season, many of the worlds best golfers will be teeing it up this weekend in Akron, Ohio for the 2008 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. This event includes golfs best from the PGA Tour, European Tour, and the Japan Tour. Over the last decade this event has been dominated by Tiger Woods as he has won 6 times during that span, including the last 3. In order to get into the event golfers must either have been members of the most recent President or Ryder Cup teams, be among the top 50 in the official world golf rankings, winners of tournaments that have atleast a rating of 100 points prior to this years event, or a winner of a selected tournament. So normally you have a full field over well over a 100 golfers, but this weekend its likely that only around 75 will be giving it a go. Professional handicapper Jason Lowry is ready to take a closer look at the top 3 favorites odds to win this weekend.
Phil Mickelson - +1000 at BetUS.com
Mickelson really hasn’t went on the tear that everyone thought he would after winning the Crowne Plaza Invitational back at the end of May, as he hasn’t finished better than 18th in his last 3 starts that include the US and British Opens. Mickelson has won here before, but that was a long time ago back in 1996. Mickelson has really got himself in trouble off the tee as he is 116th in total driving. While it might not be as important for him to play well this weekend, as it is for him to get his swing ready for next weekend at the PGA Championship.
Sergio Garcia - +1600 at BetUS.com
Many were high on Garcia at the British Open, including us, but he ended up really struggling to get it going and wound up finishing tied for 51st. Garcia really got people back on his side after a great performance at the Memorial tournament, where he took home his first win of the season. If Garcia is going to do well this weekend he needs to improve on the greens, as he ranks a pretty poor 173rd in putts per hole. We really like Garcia and are again high on him to perform well this weekend.
Jim Furyk – +1800 at BetUS.com
Furyk was one of the few big names to play last weekend at the RBC Canadian Open where he finished tied for 14th, but what is more impressive is his 5th place finish at the British Open in some real tough conditions. Furyk is pretty solid off the tees and in the fairways, but just like Garcia he really struggles to get the ball in the hole once he gets on the green. Furyk ranks a little better than Garcia, but is still 124th. If Furyk is going to get it going this weekend he needs to get the flat stick working better, but just like many of the guys in the field all that really matters this weekend is getting ready for the final major of the season at the PGA Championship.
If you are looking for the rest of the fields odds to win this weekend be sure to check out the complete list thanks to BetUS.com below, also if you want to get a bet in on the tournament this weekend get over to BetUS.com and get an account up and going today.
Phil Mickelson +1000
Sergio Garcia +1600
Jim Furyk +1800
Ernie Els +2000
Padraig Harrington +2000
Kenny Perry +2000
Anthony Kim +2000
Adam Scott +2000
Stewart Cink +2000
Geoff Ogilvy +3000
Henrik Stenson +3000
Vijay Singh +3500
Lee Westwood +3500
Hunter Mahan +3500
Robert Allenby +3500
K J Choi +4000
Justin Rose +4000
Steve Stricker +4000
Robert Karlsson +4000
Justin Leonard +4500
Paul Casey +4500
Retief Goosen +4500
Trevor Immelman +5000
Andres Romero +5000
Ian Poulter +5500
Sean O Hair +6000
Miguel Angel Jimenez +6000
Stephen Ames +6000
Boo Weekley +6500
Chad Campbell +6500
Graeme McDowell +6500
Rod Pampling +6500
Stuart Appleby +7000
Angel Cabrera +7000
Scott Verplank +8000
David Toms +8000
Tim Clark +8000
Aaron Baddeley +8000
Rory Sabbatini +8000
Martin Kaymer +8000
Fredrik Jacobson +8000
Zach Johnson +9000
Brandt Snedeker +9000
Rocco Mediate +9000
Ross Fisher +9000
Nick O Hern +10000
Woody Austin +10000
Colin Montgomerie +12500
Oliver Wilson +12500
Lucas Glover +12500