Farmers Insurance Open Odds – Els makes it look “Easy” at Torrey Pines

March 6, 2010

Online betting players don’t get Tiger Woods, but Phil Mickelson may be the next best thing. Mickelson will begin his 2010 campaign at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Mickelson’s home course, and while he’ll be in contention, another veteran will claim the victory this week.

Mickelson is the favorite at +600, and he has three career wins in 20 starts at Torrey Pines, first in 1993, and then in 2000 and 2001. He finished 2009 on a high by winning the TOUR championship, along with his role on the Presidents Cup team, and he’ll have the crowd behind him, being a local native.
Ernie Els is next at +2200, and the “Big Easy” finished 12th at the Sony Open in his 2010 debut. Els has played this event just once, coming in T-6 in 2005, but he’s been known to do well on good courses, given his experience in major championships.
Charles Howell III is a solid play at +2800, and he finished second in this event in 2005 and 2007. Howell usually plays his best golf of the season at the beginning during the West Coast swing, and he’s doing it again, following up his fifth-place result at the Sony Open with a T-26 in the Bob Hope Classic last week. If you’re going to bet on Howell in your sportsbook to win one tournament, this may be it.
Brandt Snedeker could get some attention at +3300, and he opened his season with a 10th-place finish at the Bob Hope. He finished third here as a rookie in 2007, and last week’s play showed he may be ready to bounce back after a tough 2009.
If you’re looking for a true darkhorse, check out Kevin Sutherland at +6600. Sutherland has played here 14 times, finishing in the top 15 in half of his starts, and he’s coming off a T-15 in the Bob Hope.
Free sports picks : Mickelson will surely be the sentimental favorite, but get some value with Ernie Els. Els finished 2009 very strong with four top-10s in his last seven starts of the season, including two in majors, and he is making more of an effort to play on the PGA Tour, instead of splitting time with his international tournaments. This is Els’ chance to make a statement and show he’s still one of the top golfers in the world.