Golf – Free WGC – Bridgestone Invitational Preview

Wed, Aug 4, 2010

by James Cochrane

It got a bit nervy at times but Ross Fisher managed to hold off a strong challenge from Padraig Harrington to take the 3 Irish Open crown and pay us out at 20/1.

We look at one of the bigger events of the season this week and one that Tiger Woods has a formidable record in. In nine of his starts here at firestone he has won seven times and he won here last year by four shots. To be honest 9/2 is probably a very good price for about him and if he is going to win this season, it is most likely to come here. However, I’m not going to back him in such a strong field and therefore I’m not going to advise you to either. There has to be some much better each-way value about. To be honest, other than my first choice, I’m going to try and completely ignore the top of the market.

The first player that just has to feature is Padraig Harrington. Padraig has been in inconsistent form of late and it has been hard to really trust him over the course of a number of events. However, The Irishman looks to be finding top gear once again and I believe he will go close this week. He fired an impressive final round at the Irish Open to push Ross Fisher all the way and after four rounds in the 60’s at Killarney, confidence should be high. He disappointed at The Open but his performances in the other ‘bigger’ events have been solid and he finished an impressive third at the WGC-CA Championship back in March. Padraig’s scrambling was superb in Ireland and it helped him out of a number of tricky situations, if he brings that game to Firestone, he stands a great chance. His form in this event is always strong; he was second here last year, 20th in 2008 and 14th in 2007. He won’t have any problem with the length of the course and at 22/1 he looks good each-way value.

Bettrends Advice

Padraig Harrington – Each-Way – 22/1 (General)

At a big price, I feel Alvaro Quiros may be worth backing to cause somewhat of a shock. The Spaniard is a little inconsistent due to the nature of his game but when he’s hot, he can tear any course apart. He has taken a break since The Open where he finished an impressive 11th which followed a 12th place finish in The Scottish Open so he will come here fresh and he has already recorded a win this year as well as four other top ten finishes. It will most likely go unnoticed but he finished 15th here last year and as he will have no problems with the distance I see no reason why he cannot improve on that this year. Although he will need to improve his putting, his stroke average and GIR are both very strong and therefore I feel he has a good chance.

Bettrends Advice

Alvaro Quiros – Each-Way – 80/1 (VC, BlueSq)

Dustin Johnson let us down at the US Open when blowing a three shot lead to deny us a 40/1 winner and I expected him to struggle after that but he bounced back in his next major with a 14th place finish at The Open and were it not for a wobble on the back nine at St. Andrews he would have comfortably sat in the top 10. After The Open he travelled to Sweden and recorded a 19th place finish so we know he is playing some good golf coming here. He is 28th for all round ranking, 4th for par breakers and 19th for birdie average. He finished 22nd here on his debut and he will be determined he can produce against the best again, after the US Open.

Bettrends Advice

Dustin Johnson – Each-Way – 50/1 (Skybet, Bet365, William Hill)

The final player on my shortlist is also set at a juicy price and is Hunter Mahan. Hunter was in terrible form for the month of June but seems to have settled down in the last few weeks and it may be worth catching him on his was back up. He finished 37th at The Open and 17th in his last event at the Canadian Open. He sits 26th for driving accuracy, 2nd for total driving, 2nd for ball striking and 22nd for GIR, stats that all stand him in good stead for this week. He finished 4th here last year, 10th in 2008 and 22nd in 2007 so it is plain for all to see his improvement on the course and therefore prices 45/1 look big for a top player finding his form again.

Bettrends Advice

Hunter Mahan – Each-Way – 45/1 (Bet365, Skybet)