Woods can be taken on in the USPGA Championship

Phil Mickleson (the Open), Justin Rose (US Open), Adam Scott (US Masters), three of the four majors so far this season have gone to players in the top five in the world rankings, can Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy make it four?

Of the two it is most likely Tiger after that dominant performance at Firestone in the Bridgestone Invitational where he ran away with the tournament thanks to a remarkable round of 61. Woods is now as short as 4/1 (GENERAL) to claim his fifth win in this event and his 15th career Major title. I think though they are reasons to take on the American as impressive as his win was at the weekend. An old saying exists that there is horses for courses and this is certainly the case in golf. Woods has won at Bridgestone eight times previously and is one of a number of courses that Tiger excels in. The Oak Hill Country Club East Course, in Rochester, New York is not one of these courses though. Woods has already come out in criticism of the venue with the thick rough and slow small greens. In 2003 when this event hosted the USPGA Championship and Woods was at his peak he finished only tied 39th here. Throw in the fact that Tiger has not won a major since 2008 and you have reason to take on the World number one.

Rory McIlroy is a 33/1 (GENERAL) chance as he looks to defend the event that he won in 2012. He will take encouragement from his performance at the weekend finally making a cut though it would take a leap of faith to defend his title on a vastly different course to last year.

Looking at the other top five golfers in the world and you have Phil Mickleson at 16/1 (GENERAL). The American was not at his best at Firestone though it has never been a course that has suited him. Mickelson did well in the event last time the last time it was at this venue in 2003 coming tied 23rd and he has to be respected after a great year that his seen him win the Open and a tied second at the US Open.

Another who did well the last time this course held the USPGA is Adam Scott who like Mickelson came tied for 23rd and that was when he was a much less rounded player than he is now. In the last seven majors Scott has a total score of one over par, his nearest rival is Woods with a score of 17 over par. Scott was in good form at Firestone coming tied 14th which made it five top twenties in his last seven events including that victory in the Masters. The Australian then has to be the headline selection at 18/1 (GENERAL).

The second player who caught my eye is Webb Simpson who won the US Open in 2012. Simpson has a good record at other Donald Ross designed courses having won at Sedgefield in 2011, finishing in the top ten at Aronimink and coming tied fifth at East Lake last year. The American came tied 14th at Firestone last weekend which marked his tenth top 20 finish this year. The American looks great each-way value then at 66/1 (GENERAL).

The third and final selection is at much bigger odds in Carl Pettersson at 300/1 (bet365). The Swede has not done much in terms of recent form though the price is too big on a player who also loves Donald Ross designed courses. He has a win and two top fives at Sedgefield and a tied sixth at Aronimink. He looks worth an each-way play in a tournament that has had a number of big priced winners including the last time it was here in 2003 when Shaun Micheel (no not the Wrestler) was the shock winner.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Adam Scott EW in US PGA Championship, 18/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Webb Simpson EW in US PGA Championship, 66/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Carl Pettersson EW in US PGA Championship, 300/1 (bet365)

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06/08/2013     © Frixo 2024