Each week we will take a look into the current week’s PGA Tour stop from a gambling prospective. We don’t claim to be handicappers, but like a lot of people we like to put a little money down on the events we are going to watch anyways! Betting golf satisfies what many people who enjoy sports wagering, and gambling in general, are in a constant search for….the ability to bet a little bit of money and turn it into a decent return. Now betting golf isn’t easy, but if keep it for enjoyment purposes only (betting a few bucks at a time) it can reward you with 4 days of action and the possibility of nice payout at the end!
There are two ways to bet golf, matchups (player vs. player) or betting individuals to win the event. For the purpose of this weekly entry we will focus our attention on finding four players each week who we feel provide decent betting value. As a general rule we won’t pick too many favorites. Our strategy is to take $20.00 and spread it over 4 players, thus $5.00 per player and we try to isolate players with odds in the range of 20/1 or higher.
This week the PGA Tour rolls into Hilton Head, South Carolina for the RBC Hertiage. The pros will be teeing it up on one of the shortest courses on the PGA Tour schedule, Harbour Town Golf Links. While Harbour Town only measures 7,101 the course is one of the toughest tests on tour as it forces players to play “shots” instead of simply (and I say that in jest) bombing away! Last year Matt Kuchar overtook Luke Donald with a very dramatic chip in on the 72nd hole of competition. Over the past 3-4 years the course has favored players who don’t necessarily hit it far but have good shot games and are generally regarded as good iron players. Players like Jim Furyk, Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Brian Gay and Matt Kuchar have all enjoyed success of the past few years.
Charley Hoffman (25/1): It’s hard to ignore his current form. He walked away from his second trip to Augusta with a T9 and stayed in the conversation for most of the weekend. Leading into Augusta he posted consecutive T11 finishes over the Texas Swing (Valero and SHO). His past three stops here have yielded a T38 (2014), T6 (2013) and T8 (2012). Recent form and course history…25/1 says I like!!
Kevin Streelman (35/1): Streelman also has a good history at the RBC making the cut in his previous four visit including a T3 in 2013 and a T17 in 2012. In case you missed it..and I am guessing you did.. he also played very solid this past weekend finishing T12 at Augusta.
Pat Perez (45/1): Perez comes in trending in the right direction. He wasn’t at the Master’s but prior to that enjoyed a T20 at Valero and T11 at SHO. Earlier in the year he posted a T4 at Pebble Beach which is a another shot makers golf course. Pat has also enjoyed success at this venue sporting a pair of T18 in both 2013 and 2014 and a T6 in 2011. At 45/1 it may be worth a shot!
Russell Henley (30/1): This is my horse this week. Mr. Henley has quietly put together a run of 15 consecutive cuts made and within that stretch included are a T4, a T3 and solo 4 two weeks ago at the SHO. He was very solid last week at Augusta finishing 21. This is only his second appearance here and results have been mixed, missed cut last year and T6 in 2013. Consider this a play on recent form more than anything but Russell is one of the streakiest players on tour and he appears to be trending in the right direction!
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